Defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries is at risk of missing out on a top-four spot and a place in the Play-Offs at London's O2 on May 28. Currently seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points after 10 weeks, Humphries is still seeking his first nightly victory. A recent 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton, where Clayton finished with a bullseye to win a last-leg decider, has added to the pressure. Humphries then suffered a last-16 exit at the Player Championship 9 in Wigan, as Chris Dobey secured his second title of 2026.
His next challenge comes against home favourite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam. With time running out, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discussed Humphries' chances of turning his season around on the Love The Darts podcast. "Luke isn't dominating like he used to," Bridge said.
"He's getting his life back on track, and I don't think missing the top four would devastate him like it would have a couple of years ago." Humphries has six more nights to gain enough points to reach the Play-Off spots, with Michael van Gerwen currently occupying fourth spot on 16 points - five points ahead of Humphries. Commentator Murphy believes Humphries could still go on a winning run: "I don't know what's wrong, but he's the one player outside the Play-Offs who could win back-to-back nights and catapult himself into the top four." Humphries remains calm about his title defence, stating he doesn't feel the pressure of defending his title. "You're not thinking about it every week," he said. "My average in the Premier League this year has been the best it's ever been, but maybe my timing has been off, and people are playing better against me." The BetMGM Premier League continues in Rotterdam, with Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen hosting Luke Humphries on his first Premier League night on home soil.
Ranking points are awarded per night, with the top four players progressing to Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 28.