Luke Littler and players pose in front of Tyne Bridge with BetMGM giant golden dart ahead of opening night
All eight players, including Luke Humphries (left-centre with trophy) and World Champion Luke Littler (right-centre), ready to get their BetMGM Premier League Darts campaign underway in Newcastle
Credit: BetMGM
Imagery available to download via WeTransfer here, with credit to BetMGM.
Wednesday 4th February 2026 – Newcastle welcomed the return of the BetMGM Premier League Darts today, with the tournament’s sponsor planting a giant golden dart in front of the Tyne Bridge.
Marking the competition’s return to the city for Thursday’s opening night of action, all eight players, including last year’s winner Luke Humphries carrying the trophy, were quayside to pose with the three-metre tall structure.
The players will go head-to-head at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Thursday night and compete for a total prize pot of £1,250,000 over the 16-week multi-city league event.
As an extra incentive for the eight Premier League competitors, for the second year running, BetMGM will reward any player who hits a nine-darter with a set of 18ct gold darts worth £30,000. Remarkably this was achieved five times in 2025, causing the title sponsor to shell out £150,000 worth of darts to the competitors.
Luke Humphries won the BetMGM Premier League Darts in 2025
2025 BetMGM Premier League Darts winner, Luke Humphries, said: “Newcastle is a really fun place to come for the darts and we’re all excited to get the 2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts campaign underway.
“Seeing BetMGM’s giant dart on the Tyne today with the iconic bridge behind us has set the scene perfectly and I can’t wait to defend the title I won last year, particularly with BetMGM’s 18ct gold darts up for grabs again!”
BetMGM are set to reward any nine-darter scored with a set of 18ct gold darts
BetMGM's Brand Director, Dan Towse, said: “The opening night of the BetMGM Premier League Darts is unique, and we wanted to help build the anticipation this year with an eye-catching display at one of Newcastle’s most iconic locations.
“Our giant golden dart made a splash in Cardiff a couple of years ago and today’s event in Newcastle’s city centre has made us the talk of the town! The players all seem really excited to have the BetMGM Premier League Darts back, especially with our 18ct gold darts again on offer for any nine-darter. Today’s stunt sets the tone for the energy and entertainment fans can expect from BetMGM throughout the Premier League Darts season.”
BetMGM’s giant gold dart stands at three metres tall in front of the Tyne Bridge
PDC Head of Commercial, Adam Perfect, said: “The Premier League has a long and special relationship with Newcastle, and launching this year’s event with BetMGM’s giant dart on the banks of the River Tyne is a fantastic way to celebrate that. Our players love coming here, the atmosphere at the Utilita Arena is always electric, and this visual moment on the river really underlines how big the BetMGM Premier League Darts has become.”
The Premier League Darts is an annual, invitation-only tournament organised by the PDC that tours major city arenas across the UK and Europe from February to May, featuring weekly nights of league-format action before play-offs decide the champion.
The tournament brings together a select group of the world’s top players who face each other over multiple weeks, giving fans the chance to see the sport’s biggest personalities and rivalries under one roof on a regular basis.
This year’s lineup includes Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.
Download all the imagery captured from the stunt here: https://we.tl/t-KlJLIxK2R6