Louis Hobbs

Michael van Gerwen opened up after winning the 2026 Premier League opener, revealing he was “very close” to pulling out of the World Masters due to personal struggles. The Dutchman admitted his private life has affected his form but said he’s working through it, hoping to focus on darts and his children while putting the turmoil behind him.

Josh Rock is making his Premier League debut in Newcastle, the only other time he’s been to the city was for his stag do. The World Cup of Darts winner joins fellow debutant Gian van Veen in a refreshed line-up. Rock says he’s “milking every minute” of the experience.

Luke Littler discusses his mindset at the top of darts and explains why he doesn’t compare his sport to others. He also praises tennis star Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam success, revealing he even had a winning bet on Alcaraz to beat Novak Djokovic.

Luke Littler reveals Angry Ginge has even stolen legs off him in practice and shares his verdict on how the YouTuber might fare at Q School. Littler says Ginge could win a few games if he gets the luck of the draw but would need consistent practice to compete for a tour card, while also acknowledging the potential boost his profile could bring to the sport.

Michael van Gerwen has urged patience in the Luke Littler GOAT debate, insisting Phil Taylor’s greatness was built on longevity and aura. While praising Littler’s extraordinary talent and potential, the three-time world champion believes it is far too early to claim the teenager has surpassed Taylor, despite Luke Humphries’ glowing assessment.

Ronnie O’Sullivan believes Wu Yize will become world number one and comparisons to Steve Davis are growing, but Kyren Wilson offers a note of caution. Speaking to SportsBoom, the Masters champion warns of the pressure facing the young Chinese star and the reality of living up to the hype.

Reigning world champion Luke Littler survived a match dart to edge past Mike De Decker at the World Masters, but once again the spotlight fell on his relationship with the crowd. Now facing boos as often as cheers, the 19-year-old says he has learned to stay silent on stage, even drawing comparisons to Wayne Rooney’s infamous clash with fans.

Former world champion Rob Cross delivered a powerful and deeply personal interview after his World Masters win, revealing he has begun counselling for the first time in his life. He spoke candidly about long-standing mental health struggles, missing the Premier League, and using this period away from the spotlight as a chance to rebuild both his career and himself.

Gary Anderson opened his World Masters campaign with a hard-fought win but quickly turned his focus to the relentless PDC calendar. The two-time world champion revealed why he would reject the Premier League, admitted he didn’t even know darts was being played in Saudi Arabia, and called for a radical rethink to give players more time off.

James Wade opened his 2026 World Masters campaign with a hard-fought win over Madars Razma, but it was his Premier League Darts omission that dominated the post-match conversation. The veteran believes his performances merited selection, questioning the invitational format and admitting the decision has been a major blow to his confidence.

Leeds United’s season has been transformed since a spirited fightback at Manchester City, a moment Michael Brown believes saved Daniel Farke’s job. The former midfielder also hailed Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s revival at Elland Road — but warned the in-form striker faces a tough battle to force his way back into the England squad.

Kyren Wilson completed a remarkable turnaround to win his first Masters title in 2026, just six weeks after admitting he was close to a mental breakdown. The former world champion overcame a torrid start to the season, family struggles and cue issues to defeat John Higgins 10-6 and lift the Paul Hunter Trophy, moving one step closer to completing snooker’s Triple Crown.

Sheffield United legend Michael Brown has shared his verdict on the Blades’ turbulent Championship season, assessing their chances of a late play-off push under Chris Wilder. Brown also highlights the impact of recent signings, draws comparisons with Nottingham Forest’s promotion run, and explains what he expects from Wilder in the January transfer window.

John Higgins rolled back the years with a stunning win over world number one Judd Trump to reach the 2026 Masters final. The four-time world champion fought back from 5-3 down to become the oldest ever Triple Crown finalist across five decades, while also giving an honest take on the odds stacked against him. 

Kyren Wilson survived a dramatic Masters decider against Neil Robertson before issuing a warning to Wu Yize. Ahead of their semi-final, the world champion dismissed comparisons to Ronnie O’Sullivan as premature and offered advice on handling pressure, drawing on his own experience as a former young prospect.

World number one Judd Trump reached his eighth Masters semi-final with a 6-2 win over Mark Allen and now faces John Higgins in a first-ever Masters meeting. Trump has won their last eight encounters but remains wary of Higgins’ resurgence. Both will switch off on their day off, with Higgins heading to ABBA Voyage and Trump planning some time in central London.