2025 BetMGM Premier League Lineup Revealed: Who’s In & Who’s Out?
- Darts Central
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 12
The wait is finally over! The 2025 BetMGM Premier League lineup has been announced; as always, it has not disappointed. Packed with world-class talent, big names, and a couple of surprises, this year’s lineup is sure to spark debate. With four months of top-tier darts action ahead, let’s break down the eight selections, key talking points, and early predictions.
The 8 Players Competing for Premier League Glory:
1 - Luke Humphries—The world number one and 2024 World Champion returns for his second Premier League season. After finishing runner-up last year, ‘Cool Hand’ will be eager to go one step further and lift the trophy.
2 - Luke Littler—The reigning World Champion and defending Premier League winner. At just 18, ‘The Nuke’ has already claimed 11 PDC titles, taking the darts world by storm. Can he become only the third player to win back-to-back PL titles?
3 - Michael van Gerwen—A seven-time Premier League champion and one of the sport’s greatest-ever players. However, MVG is on a rare 17-month major title drought. Can he bounce back and claim a record-extending eighth PL crown?
4 - Rob Cross—the 2018 World Champion and current world number four—enters his sixth Premier League season. After his last three underwhelming campaigns, ‘Voltage’ will be determined to finally secure a playoff spot again.
5 - Stephen Bunting—the 2024 Masters Champion and world number five—makes his long-awaited return to the Premier League after a decade. ‘The Bullet’ has been in the form of his career—can he ride this momentum to a playoff spot?
6 - Gerwyn Price—A former World Champion and seven-time PL competitor, ‘The Iceman’ heads into this season with a point to prove. His 2024 campaign was below his high standards, but a strong World Championship run may have secured his selection. Can he rediscover his best form?
7 - Nathan Aspinall—A former World Matchplay champion and five-time PL competitor, ‘The Asp’ is perhaps the most surprising selection. Injury struggles and a loss of form made his inclusion uncertain, but he has a history of strong Premier League performances. Can he deliver again, backed by the fans and his famous Mr. Brightside walk-on?
8 - Chris Dobey—The world number 11 returns for his second Premier League campaign. After finishing seventh in 2023, ‘Hollywood’ will be aiming higher this time. A strong World Championship semi-final run and topping the Players Championship Order of Merit show he’s in form—can he take it to the Premier League stages?
The Key Debates: Selections, Snubs & Surprises
💥 The Shock Selection! – Did anyone expect Nathan Aspinall to get the nod? The 2023 World Matchplay champion struggled last season, failing to pick up a PDC title mixed with a battle with a wrist injury. A long layoff after his 2024 World Matchplay exit, combined with his well-documented battle with dartitis (as seen in Sky’s Game of Throws documentary), made his selection a surprise. Now, he’ll be aiming to prove the doubters wrong and justify his selection in the competition.
✖️ The Notable Snubs! – Dave Chisnall, Jonny Clayton, and Damon Heta—ranked world number 6, 7, and 8—have all been overlooked, despite being ranked above three of the selected players. Did the PDC favour entertainment over rankings, or did these players fail to shine on the biggest stages?
Two major winners, Mike De Decker and Ritchie Edhouse, also find themselves left out. The world numbers 24 and 28 may feel hard done by, but history has shown that one major TV title isn’t enough for Premier League selection. Without consistent deep runs in major events and a stronger rise up the rankings, their exclusion was perhaps inevitable.
🔥 Can Luke Littler Be Stopped? – The 18-year-old sensation won 10 PDC titles in 2024—joining an elite club alongside Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, and Peter Wright. He’s the early favourite, but will anyone step up to stop him from claiming back-to-back PL titles?
Early Predictions—Who Will Shine?
Here’s how I see things shaping up:
🏆 Title Favourites: Luke Humphries and Luke Littler—the world’s top two players and last year’s finalists. With six major TV titles between them in the past year, they’re the ones to beat.
🎯 Dark Horse: Gerwyn Price – The Iceman topped the league standings in the 2023 PL season and looked rejuvenated with a strong 2025 World Championship quarter-final run. Could he be set for a PL resurgence?
📉 Under Pressure: Nathan Aspinall—The most debated pick of this year’s lineup. Can he repay the PDC’s faith and prove he belongs on the biggest stage?
Final Thoughts
With the lineup now being revealed and the first night just a few weeks away, the excitement is building. Will Luke Littler hold onto his crown, or will a new name write themselves down into Premier League history?
💬 What do you think of the lineup? Did the PDC make the right calls, or was someone unfairly left out? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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