Matt Porter has defended the Premier League Darts format as solid, but the PDC chief executive has also promised that fresh concepts will arrive at some point. With the competition having changed several times since it began in 2005, the message is that the current structure is working well enough for now, even if further evolution is coming.
Porter’s comments matter because the Premier League Darts remains one of the sport’s biggest recurring events. The current format features eight players across 16 league nights, with knockout nights leading into Finals Night at The O2. It is a structure that has become familiar to viewers, but it has not been immune from criticism over the years.
Porter accepts change will come
Earlier in the year, Porter said repeated match-ups were the biggest criticism of the current format and suggested it would change at some point. Before Finals Night in June, he also said the format had moved beyond its ascending stage. That leaves the impression of a competition that is not in immediate need of a rebuild, but is certainly under review.
The key point is that Porter is not signalling panic. By describing the format as solid, he is effectively saying the Premier League Darts still has a strong base. But by promising fresh concepts, he is also acknowledging that the PDC will continue to look for ways to keep the event competitive, relevant and entertaining for both players and fans.
The bigger question is who gets in
There is also a wider selection debate building around the next edition. Ross Smith’s recent form has pushed his case forward, particularly after his September success at the World Series of Darts Finals and his 11-8 win over Martin Schindler to claim a second European Championship in Dortmund on 25 October.
Porter said Smith was “one of the best players in the world” and hinted that he could “come again” for the Premier League picture. That is important because the line-up is not confirmed until after the World Championship final on 3 January, with the 2027 Premier League Darts field to be announced after that match.
As ever, there will be debate about who deserves a place in the eight-man field. Michael van Gerwen has won the Premier League more times than anyone else, which underlines the standard expected of anyone who is picked. The structure may stay familiar for now, but the conversation around it is clearly moving on.
The next few months will provide more clues. The Grand Slam of Darts starts in Wolverhampton on Saturday 14 November, before the World Darts Championship runs at Alexandra Palace from 11 December to 3 January. Once that is done, attention will turn to the announcement of the 2027 Premier League Darts line-up and whether Porter’s promised fresh concepts are ready to follow.
