# PDC Chief Matt Porter Teases Future Premier League Darts Format Changes PDC executive Matt Porter confirms potential format updates while addressing Ross Smith's rise. - **Source:** [Sky Sports – News](https://www.skysports.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a9425c9f-812a-4687-b2f4-21533b99e4dd ## Format Evolution Strategy PDC chief executive Matt Porter confirmed that while the current Premier League Darts format is considered solid, future iterations are being planned. The organization remains focused on keeping the product fresh for both live arena audiences and television viewers, ensuring that the weekly competition remains engaging throughout its sixteen-week duration. ## Current Competition Structure Introduced in 2022, the current format features eight players competing in weekly mini-tournaments. Each night consists of quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, with points awarded based on performance. This structure replaced the previous round-robin league, which historically suffered from declining attendance and viewer engagement as the season progressed toward the playoffs. ## Ross Smith's Rising Profile Ross Smith has emerged as a strong candidate for a Premier League debut following a highly successful season. After winning the Machineseeker European Championship and the World Series Finals, Smith has climbed to a career-high sixth in the PDC Order of Merit, proving he can consistently compete against the world's elite players. ## Selection Process Mechanics The Premier League line-up is determined by a specific qualification pathway. The top four players in the PDC Order of Merit following the World Darts Championship automatically secure their spots. The remaining four positions are filled by wildcard selections, providing the PDC with flexibility to include players based on current form. ## Michael van Gerwen's Struggles Seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen is facing one of the most challenging seasons of his career. The 37-year-old has suffered numerous opening-round exits across various European Tour events and major tournaments. This performance dip has sparked public speculation regarding his potential inclusion in the upcoming Premier League season roster. ## Porter's Stance on Veterans Despite recent performance difficulties, Matt Porter emphasized that Van Gerwen's extensive career record remains significant. Porter noted that Van Gerwen remains fully committed to the professional tour. The PDC leadership appears to be balancing historical prestige with the necessity of rewarding players who demonstrate exceptional form during the current calendar year. ## Historical Format Context Since its inception in 2005, the Premier League has undergone multiple structural changes to maintain its appeal. Previous iterations included a ten-player round-robin format featuring the infamous Judgement Night elimination phase. These constant adjustments reflect the PDC's ongoing effort to optimize the viewing experience and maximize engagement for the sport's fans. ## Upcoming Darts Calendar Sky Sports continues to serve as the primary broadcaster for major darts events. The upcoming schedule includes the Grand Slam of Darts, running from November 14 to 22, followed by the prestigious World Darts Championship, which takes place from December 11 until January 3, marking the conclusion of the current competitive season. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/13611224/premier-league-darts-pdcs-matt-porter-backs-solid-format-but-hints-at-fresh-concepts-as-ross-smith-enters-the-conversation — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._