Aspinall Left Out as Rock and Bunting Secure Premier League Darts Spots

The lineup for the 2026 Premier League Darts has been announced, with Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock earning spots, while Nathan Aspinall has been left out. The top four players in the PDC Order of Merit - Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen - automatically qualified for the tournament. Bunting, Rock, Gerwyn Price, and Jonny Clayton were chosen as wildcard selections. Aspinall, who finished strong in the 2025 edition, misses out this time due to his current world ranking of 14. Bunting, despite struggling in the 2025 Premier League, will return for a second consecutive year. Rock makes his debut after a strong performance in 2025, including a semifinal appearance at the UK Open and World Matchplay. Price, a veteran of the Premier League, returns for an eighth time, while Clayton is back after a two-year absence. The tournament will feature matches every Thursday night from February to May, with a new venue in Antwerp, Belgium. The points system will remain the same, with the top four players competing in the semifinals and final at The O2 in London.