Michael van Gerwen kicked off the 2026 Premier League Darts season with a decisive victory, defeating fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen 6-4 in the final held in Newcastle on Tuesday, February 5th. The win marks Van Gerwen’s first nightly triumph since 2024 and a strong start to a campaign where he’s aiming to reclaim his dominance.
Van Veen, a debutant in the competition, had a remarkable run to the final, eliminating both Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton along the way. However, he couldn’t overcome the experience and precision of the seven-time Premier League winner.
The final saw Van Gerwen quickly establish a 3-1 lead, but Van Veen battled back, keeping the match competitive throughout. With the score at 5-4, Van Gerwen sealed the victory with a checkout on double 14. “Mentally, I’m strong and I recognize what I’m capable of. As long as you keep on your own ability and performances, I know I’m capable of doing this,” Van Gerwen said after the match.
This victory is particularly significant for Van Gerwen, who struggled throughout the 2025 Premier League season. “Last year I had a very crap Premier League, if I can say that. As long as you keep believing your own ability anything is possible,” he added. He emphasized his determination to challenge every opponent and secure wins, stating, “I’m going to grant it a go, I’m going to challenge anything that comes in my path. I want to beat them, simple as that.”
Earlier in the night, Van Gerwen showcased his form with a 6-2 quarter-final win over Stephen Bunting, recovering from an early 2-0 deficit with six consecutive legs. He then defeated Luke Humphries in the semi-final, clinching his spot in the final with a 114 checkout.
The Premier League Darts 2026 continues next week in Belgium, with the first matches scheduled for an earlier start time of 18:00 GMT.
