2016 Premier League Darts and Masters line-ups announced
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | January 3, 2016
Following an outrageously brilliant 2016 PDC World Darts Championship, the Premier League Darts line-up has been announced by the sporting organisation’s chairman Barry Hearn, while The Masters fixtures have also been decided.
This year in the PL, that takes place from Week 1 on February 4th in Leeds and ends on Finals night at London’s O2 Arena on May 19th, 10 stars have been chosen.
Strong Premier League line-up
Here is the Premier League Darts 2016 line-up
(via @SkySportsDarts) pic.twitter.com/dPam8vgXLj
— Coral (@Coral) January 3, 2016
Gary Anderson (3/1 chance with Coral), who just retained his world crown, has another title to defend as he joins the world’s top four in being automatic picks – along with 6/5 favourite Michael van Gerwen, Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor.
The four PDC wildcards, meanwhile, are Peter Wright, James Wade, Robert Thornton and Michael Smith, while Raymond van Barneveld and Dave Chisnall complete the line-up after being chosen by Sky.
Incidentally all the stars happen to be in the top 10 too, meaning this year’s event promises to showcase high quality darts once again with the best players in the world battling it out over 16 weeks.
In the tournament’s 12th edition, it will also be the first time a session will be held outside of the British Isles, with Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on May 12th hosting the penultimate Thursday night action.
This year sees two replacements, with Grand Prix champion Thornton returning and Smith making a first appearance. Kim Huybrechts and Stephen Bunting are the duo to miss out.
Darts Premier League 2016 winner prices:
MVG 6/5
Anderson 3/1
Taylor 6/1
Lewis 12/1
https://t.co/1KRuKR9EFF pic.twitter.com/4qHWAtpfig
— Coral (@Coral) January 3, 2016
All five previous Premier League winners will also take part – Taylor, Van Gerwen, Van Barneveld, Wade and title holder Anderson, while World Championship runner-up Lewis has also reached the final.
Chisnall will be hoping to go on another shock run that saw him reach the play-off semis, while Barney can take confidence in his remarkable runs to that same stage in the PL and recent Worlds.
Masters first round fixture list
Meanwhile, the upcoming Masters event first round fixtures have also been confirmed, with the top 16 in the world now in place.
Check out the following below, for the tournament that goes on from January 30th-31st in Milton Keynes…
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Stephen Bunting (16)
Michael Smith (8) v Raymond van Barneveld (9)
Phil Taylor (4) v Jelle Klaasen (13)
Peter Wright (5) v Ian White (12)
Gary Anderson (2) v Vincent van der Voort (15)
Robert Thornton (7) v Dave Chisnall (10)
Adrian Lewis (3) v Kim Huybrechts (14)
James Wade (6) v Terry Jenkins (11)
Mighty Mike is the defending champion, while The Power and The Machine are the other two Masters winners.
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