Luke Littler starts Premier League defence against Michael van Gerwen

By Jonathan Veal, PA

Luke Littler will kick off the defence of his Premier League title with a blockbusting match against Michael van Gerwen in Belfast.

Littler will meet the Dutchman in Ireland in week one on February 6th in a repeat of the World Championship final, where the 18-year-old cruised to glory at Alexandra Palace earlier this month.

Littler won the 2024 Premier League on debut after a thrilling final victory over Luke Humphries at London’s O2 Arena, which included a nine-dart finish.

And he will be again the favourite to triumph in the round-robin roadshow which sees eight players compete in a weekly competition, going towards a league table.

Humphries begins versus Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting takes on Rob Cross and Chris Dobey goes up against Gerwyn Price.

Littler faces Cross in Glasgow seven days later, before being paired with Price in Dublin the following week.

Littler and Humphries renew their rivalry in Nottingham in week six while the world number one plays Van Gerwen in Cardiff the week after.