Michael van Gerwen began his bid for a record-extending eighth BetMGM Premier League title with victory over fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen on Night One in Newcastle.
Seven-time Premier League champion Van Gerwen failed to register a solitary nightly win in last year’s competition, but he made the perfect start to his 2026 campaign with victory at the Utilita Arena.
The Dutch superstar recorded successive 6-2 wins over Stephen Bunting and Luke Humphries in advancing to Thursday’s showpiece, rattling off six straight legs to dispatch Bunting.
The three-time world champion then converted six of his eight attempts at double to dump out reigning champion Humphries, wrapping up proceedings with consecutive ton-plus finishes.
Van Gerwen continued from where he left off against Van Veen, storming to the opening two legs in 28 darts, before his younger compatriot halved the deficit with a 14-dart hold.
🗣️ "Is that a question? Of course I want to win."
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 5, 2026
Michael van Gerwen reflects on his excellent victory in Newcastle, as the Dutchman claims Night One glory!#PLDarts pic.twitter.com/z8IHM5CEBY
Van Veen then missed a hat-trick of opportunities to restore parity in leg four, although he responded to a 12-darter from Van Gerwen in leg six with a 110 checkout to reduce the arrears to 4-3.
Van Gerwen then squandered multiple darts of his own to close out victory in leg nine, but he made amends moments later, following up a sixth 180 by pinning double 14 to seal the deal.
“Without playing my A-game I still won, but I had some fantastic finishes at the right moments,” reflected Van Gerwen.
“I know I can do a lot better than this, but winning gives you confidence. Winning games is the best medicine for performing better.
“It’s always nice to respond well. At the World Masters I had some issues at home, so I had to deal with that, and to bounce back with a win here in Newcastle, it means a lot to me.
“There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but as long as I keep that in mind, anything is possible.”
Despite missing out on a nightly victory on debut, Van Veen also enjoyed a night to remember in Newcastle, defeating Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton to reach Thursday’s showpiece.
Van Veen avenged his defeat to Littler in last month’s World Championship final with a hard-fought 6-4 win, before defeating 2021 champion Clayton by the same scoreline in the semi-finals.
2026 BetMGM Premier League results & schedule
Night One - Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Thursday February 5
Quarter-finals
- Jonny Clayton 6-2 Josh Rock
- Gian van Veen 6-4 Luke Littler
- Luke Humphries 6-5 Gerwyn Price
- Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Stephen Bunting
Semi-finals
- Gian van Veen 6-4 Jonny Clayton
- Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Luke Humphries
Final
- Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Gian van Veen
Night Two - AFAS Dome, Antwerp
Thursday February 12
Quarter-finals
- Luke Littler v Luke Humphries
- Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock
- Jonny Clayton v Stephen Bunting
- Gerwyn Price v Gian van Veen
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