The Luke Littler effect has seen most of the Premier League Darts venues sold out with just less than a month until night one.
Premier League Darts is soon to return to our screens as the four highest-ranked players in the world alongside four more other picks battle it out over 16 nights in 16 different venues across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and Germany for a place at finals night at The O2 in London.
Viewing figures during the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship saw 4.8million watch the final between Luke Humphries and Luke Littler – becoming the most-watched darts match in Sky Sports history, breaking a record set 24 hours before when Littler beat Rob Cross in the semi-final.
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That's thanks to Littler-fever which completely swept the country as the 16-year-old stunned the darting world to be edged out 7-4 in the final by the most in-form player on planet darts. ‘The Nuke’s’ incredible run to the final saw him take a spot in the eight-man line-up for the Premier League as the competition nears a complete sell-out.
A post by the PDC on Friday named every venue as ‘sold out’ apart from Rotterdam, Aberdeen, Leeds and Sheffield – four of the five final venues to host the tournament ahead of the play-offs. The Netherlands trip takes place on April 18, while the other three all occur in May.
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Littler is one of four picks alongside former world champs Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Cross to be selected to join reigning champion Michael van Gerwen, Humphries, Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall as those already guaranteed a place due to their current world rankings.
All eight players will compete each night in a knockout tournament with the winner picking up £10,000 and maximum points to add to the league standings.
The opening night takes place on February, 1, in Cardiff, one of seven venues outside of England.
While the final will be on night 17 on May, 23, at The O2 where the top four from the league phase will play a semi-final and final to crown this year’s champion - who will also pocket £275,000.
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