Premier League Darts
Encyclopedia
The 888.com Premier League Darts (formerly White and Mackay Premier League) is a darts
tournament which launched on January 20, 2005 on Sky Sports
, and is currently the world's largest indoor sports event. The league is now played weekly from February to May, having originally started as a fortnightly fixture. The tournament originally featured seven players and now sees eight of the biggest names from the PDC
circuit competing in a double round-robin
format, with matches held across the country at different venues. The top four players in the PDC Order of Merit
are joined by four wild card selections to make up the eight-man field.
The previous sponsors are Whyte & Mackay who succeeded Holsten
having signed a three-year contract to support the event in October 2007. The prize fund will rise from £265,000 to £340,000 in 2008 – with the guaranteed minimum of £20,000 (previously £15,000) for each player that qualifies. The winner currently receives £125,000.
Phil Taylor has dominated this event, winning five of the seven competitions to date. He went unbeaten throughout the first three seasons before James Wade
ended his 44 match run in the first match of the 2008 season. A new champion was to be crowned after Mervyn King defeated him in the 2009 semi-finals
. Wade defeated King 13–8 in the final, to pick up the £125,000 first prize. In 2010, Phil Taylor won his 5th Premier League Darts title by defeating James Wade
, who was the defending champion, 10–8 in the final.
since the tournament inception. Originally the league alternated with Premier League Snooker one week and Premier League Darts the next. From 2006, the snooker moved to late autumn – giving the Premier League darts a straight weekly run in the spring.
American sports channel OLN
aired the 2006 Premier League Darts season on a slight delay, in August 2006.
German sports channel DSF (Deutsches Sport Fernsehen) has broadcasted many matches of the past two years live on TV and gives coverages of a selection of matches.
The PDC announced in January 2007 that the contract with Sky Television for coverage of the Premier League had been extended to 2010. http://www.planetdarts.tv/page/PremierLeagueDetail/0,,10180~962208,00.html
In the Netherlands
, the 2011 Premier League Darts was broadcast on RTL7 and will continue to do so until 2013.
(2006–2007) and Whyte and Mackay
(2008–2010).
In January 2011, 888.com returned to be the title sponsor of the league.
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
tournament which launched on January 20, 2005 on Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
, and is currently the world's largest indoor sports event. The league is now played weekly from February to May, having originally started as a fortnightly fixture. The tournament originally featured seven players and now sees eight of the biggest names from the PDC
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
circuit competing in a double round-robin
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
format, with matches held across the country at different venues. The top four players in the PDC Order of Merit
PDC order of merit
The PDC Order of Merit is a world ranking system used by one of the darts organisations, the Professional Darts Corporation . Following the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship it superseded a world ranking system based on points being awarded for performances in ranking tournaments.-Previous world...
are joined by four wild card selections to make up the eight-man field.
The previous sponsors are Whyte & Mackay who succeeded Holsten
Holsten
Holsten Brewery is a brewing company founded in 1879 in what is now Hamburg's Altona-Nord quarter. The group now has seven breweries in Germany. Its nationally distributed premium brand is the pale lager Holsten Pilsener...
having signed a three-year contract to support the event in October 2007. The prize fund will rise from £265,000 to £340,000 in 2008 – with the guaranteed minimum of £20,000 (previously £15,000) for each player that qualifies. The winner currently receives £125,000.
Phil Taylor has dominated this event, winning five of the seven competitions to date. He went unbeaten throughout the first three seasons before James Wade
James Wade
James Wade is an English professional darts player, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation . He became the youngest player ever to win a major PDC title at the World Matchplay in July 2007...
ended his 44 match run in the first match of the 2008 season. A new champion was to be crowned after Mervyn King defeated him in the 2009 semi-finals
2009 Premier League Darts
The 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League was a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation.The tournament kicked off at the Echo Arena Liverpool which hosted the biggest ever crowd for a PDC event of almost 8,000 in 2008....
. Wade defeated King 13–8 in the final, to pick up the £125,000 first prize. In 2010, Phil Taylor won his 5th Premier League Darts title by defeating James Wade
James Wade
James Wade is an English professional darts player, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation . He became the youngest player ever to win a major PDC title at the World Matchplay in July 2007...
, who was the defending champion, 10–8 in the final.
Television Coverage
The matches have been broadcast on Thursday nights on Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
since the tournament inception. Originally the league alternated with Premier League Snooker one week and Premier League Darts the next. From 2006, the snooker moved to late autumn – giving the Premier League darts a straight weekly run in the spring.
American sports channel OLN
Versus (TV channel)
Versus is a sports-oriented cable television channel in the United States. It was previously known as Outdoor Life Network and was launched on July 1, 1995, focusing on fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports...
aired the 2006 Premier League Darts season on a slight delay, in August 2006.
German sports channel DSF (Deutsches Sport Fernsehen) has broadcasted many matches of the past two years live on TV and gives coverages of a selection of matches.
The PDC announced in January 2007 that the contract with Sky Television for coverage of the Premier League had been extended to 2010. http://www.planetdarts.tv/page/PremierLeagueDetail/0,,10180~962208,00.html
In the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, the 2011 Premier League Darts was broadcast on RTL7 and will continue to do so until 2013.
Sponsorship
The tournament has had three title sponsors since it was formed in 2005. They are 888.com (2005, 2011), HolstenHolsten
Holsten Brewery is a brewing company founded in 1879 in what is now Hamburg's Altona-Nord quarter. The group now has seven breweries in Germany. Its nationally distributed premium brand is the pale lager Holsten Pilsener...
(2006–2007) and Whyte and Mackay
Whyte and Mackay
Whyte and Mackay Ltd is a Scottish company producing alcoholic beverages. It was founded in 1844 and is based in Glasgow. Since May 2007, Whyte and Mackay has been owned by United Breweries Group, a large Indian conglomerate....
(2008–2010).
In January 2011, 888.com returned to be the title sponsor of the league.
Finals
| Year | Champion | Score | Runner-Up | Sponsor | Final Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best of 31 legs | |||||
| 2005 2005 Premier League Darts The 2005 888.com Premier League was the first season of a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation.Phil Taylor, Colin Lloyd, Peter Manley, John Part, Roland Scholten, Wayne Mardle and wildcard entrant Mark Dudbridge were the seven players who competed in a round-robin... |
 Phil Taylor |
16–4 | Colin Lloyd Colin Lloyd Colin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay... |
888.com | G-Mex G-Mex Manchester Central, , formerly known as the GMEX centre and Manchester International Conference Centre , is an exhibition and conference centre built in and around the former Manchester Central railway station in Manchester, North West England... , Manchester |
| 2006 2006 Premier League Darts The 2006 Holsten Premier League the second year of the Professional Darts Corporation's popular darts league. The 2006 league was launched with the top six players in the PDC world rankings and the addition of a wildcard player, Raymond van Barneveld who decided to switch from the British Darts... |
Phil Taylor (101.41) |
16–6 |  Roland ScholtenRoland Scholten Roland Scholten is a Dutch professional darts player who plays for the Professional Darts Corporation and formerly for the British Darts Organisation. He is nicknamed Tripod or The Flying Dutchman and uses Hey Ya by Outkast as his walk-on. He is currently ranked 45th in the PDC... (92.01) |
Holsten | Plymouth Pavilions Plymouth Pavilions Plymouth Pavilions is an entertainment and sports complex in Plymouth, Devon, England. It has a Fun Pool, Ice Rink, Live Cafe and arena. The arena is used for corporate hire and as an entertainment venue.... |
| 2007 2007 Premier League Darts The 2007 Holsten Premier League was a major darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . The prize money for the 2007 event increased by almost £100,000 compared to 2006. The overall fund was £265,000 with the eventual winner taking home £75,000... |
Phil Taylor (99.20) |
16–6 | Terry Jenkins Terry Jenkins Terry Jenkins is an English professional darts player who is nicknamed The Bull, having previously used the nickname "Tucker" for his matches... (90.81) |
Holsten | The Brighton Centre The Brighton Centre The Brighton Centre is a conference centre located in Brighton, England. The capacity of the main hall for conferences is 4,500 people and 5,100 for standing concerts.It also has smaller rooms for weddings, banquets etc.... |
| 2008 2008 Premier League Darts The 2008 Whyte & Mackay Premier League was a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . The prize money was increased by £75,000 compared to 2007... |
Phil Taylor (108.36) |
16–8 | James Wade James Wade James Wade is an English professional darts player, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation . He became the youngest player ever to win a major PDC title at the World Matchplay in July 2007... (100.14) |
Whyte & Mackay | Cardiff International Arena Cardiff International Arena The Cardiff International Arena was opened on 10 September 1993, by Shirley Bassey, in front of 5,500 fans. On 1 March 2011, the Cardiff International Arena was officially renamed Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, after the car sales company with a branch in Newport bought the naming rights to the Cardiff... |
| Best of 25 legs | |||||
| 2009 2009 Premier League Darts The 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League was a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation.The tournament kicked off at the Echo Arena Liverpool which hosted the biggest ever crowd for a PDC event of almost 8,000 in 2008.... |
James Wade (90.38) |
13–8 | Mervyn King (85.83) |
Whyte & Mackay | Wembley Arena Wembley Arena Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:... |
| Best of 19 legs | |||||
| 2010 2010 Premier League Darts The 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League was a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation; the sixth such running of the tournament.The tournament began at The O2 Arena in London on 11 February, and finished at the Wembley Arena on 24 May.... |
Phil Taylor (111.67) |
10–8 | James Wade (100.08) |
Whyte & Mackay | Wembley Arena Wembley Arena Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:... |
| 2011 2011 Premier League Darts The 2011 888.com Premier League Darts was a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation; the seventh edition of the tournament.The tournament began at The O2 Arena in London on 10 February, and finishes at the Wembley Arena on 19 May.... |
 Gary AndersonGary Anderson (darts player) Gary Anderson is a Scottish professional darts player from Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation, and a former BDO and WDF world number one. His nickname is The Flying Scotsman... (94.67) |
10–4 | Adrian Lewis Adrian Lewis Adrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion... (85.75) |
888.com | Wembley Arena Wembley Arena Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:... |
Tournament records
- Most titles: 5 – Phil Taylor
- Longest unbeaten run: 44 matches – Phil Taylor (2005–2008)
- Biggest victories (league stage): 11–1 Phil Taylor v Wayne Mardle (2005), 11–1 Phil Taylor v Peter Manley (2005).
- Biggest victories (playoff stages): 16–4 Phil Taylor v Colin Lloyd (2005 final)
- Whitewashes (since removal of "dead" legs in 2006): Colin LloydColin LloydColin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...
8–0 Terry Jenkins (2007), "Phil Taylor 8–0 Wayne MardleWayne MardleWayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...
(2008) - Most 180's in a single match - 11 Gary AndersonGary Anderson (darts player)Gary Anderson is a Scottish professional darts player from Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation, and a former BDO and WDF world number one. His nickname is The Flying Scotsman...
v Simon Whitlock (2011).
Appearances
Phil Taylor is the only player to appear in every Premier League competition. Gary Anderson and Mark Webster were the latest players to make their debuts in the event in 2011. The top four in the PDC Order of Merit – Taylor, Anderson, James Wade, and World Champion Adrian Lewis – were joined in the 2011 competition by the four wild cards – Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock, Terry Jenkins, and Webster.- 7 Phil Taylor 2005–2011
- 6 Raymond van BarneveldRaymond van BarneveldRaymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
2006–2011 - 5 Terry JenkinsTerry JenkinsTerry Jenkins is an English professional darts player who is nicknamed The Bull, having previously used the nickname "Tucker" for his matches...
2007–2011 - 4 Peter ManleyPeter ManleyPeter David Manley is an English professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed One Dart as he is known for hitting doubles with his first dart...
2005–2008 - 4 Wayne MardleWayne MardleWayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...
2005–2006, 2008–2009 - 4 Adrian LewisAdrian LewisAdrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion...
2007–2008, 2010–2011 - 4 James WadeJames WadeJames Wade is an English professional darts player, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation . He became the youngest player ever to win a major PDC title at the World Matchplay in July 2007...
2008–2011 - 3 Colin LloydColin LloydColin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...
2005–2007 - 3 John PartJohn PartJohn Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
2005, 2008–2009 - 3 Roland ScholtenRoland ScholtenRoland Scholten is a Dutch professional darts player who plays for the Professional Darts Corporation and formerly for the British Darts Organisation. He is nicknamed Tripod or The Flying Dutchman and uses Hey Ya by Outkast as his walk-on. He is currently ranked 45th in the PDC...
2005–2007 - 2 Ronnie BaxterRonnie BaxterRonnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
2006, 2010 - 2 Mervyn King 2009–2010
- 2 Simon WhitlockSimon WhitlockSimon Whitlock is an Australian professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments, although he did have a spell playing in the rival organisation, the British Darts Organisation. He uses the nickname The Wizard for his matches...
2010–2011 - 1 Gary AndersonGary Anderson (darts player)Gary Anderson is a Scottish professional darts player from Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation, and a former BDO and WDF world number one. His nickname is The Flying Scotsman...
2011 - 1 Mark DudbridgeMark DudbridgeMark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts player.-Darts career:He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis Priestley as one of his heroes...
2005 - 1 Jelle KlaasenJelle KlaasenJelle Klaasen is a Dutch professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation and is the youngest darts player to win the World Darts Championship. His nickname is The Matador. He lives in Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands...
2009 - 1 Dennis PriestleyDennis PriestleyDennis Priestley is an English professional darts player. He has won two world championships, and was the first player to win both the BDO and WDC world championships, in 1991 and 1994 respectively...
2007 - 1 Mark WebsterMark Webster (darts player)Mark Webster is a left-handed Welsh darts player who lives in Denbigh. Known as Webby, he plays in Professional Darts Corporation events, having previously won the 2008 BDO World Championship. Mark became a full time professional in 2009, having previously been a fully qualified Gas registered...
2011