Belgium Just Got Added to Premier League Darts and I'm Actually Shocked

By Lewis Barnett 30 May, 2025 5 mins read 72 Views

So Barry Hearn just dropped this bombshell about Premier League Darts expanding again.

Look, I've been following the PDC circuit for years now, and honestly? I didn't see Belgium coming. The tournament's been doing its usual rounds through Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany this season - the typical European hotspots where you'd expect massive crowds throwing pints and screaming at 180s.

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Antwerp Gets the Nod (And Erik Clarys is Losing His Mind)

Hearn confirmed that Antwerp, Belgium will join the fixture list next season. Erik Clarys - former Winmau World Masters champ and current VTM commentator - basically summed up what we're all thinking: "I honestly didn't see this coming."

Neither did I, Erik. Neither did I.

But here's the thing - and Clarys nailed it - darts has absolutely exploded in Belgium over the past few years. The Belgian Open in Wieze became this massive European Tour staple, and they added the Flanders Darts Trophy in 2024. Both events? Completely sold out. Players keep raving about how mental the Belgian crowds are.

Why This Actually Makes Perfect Sense

I remember watching coverage from those Belgian events thinking "damn, these crowds are louder than some Premier League nights." The demand was obviously there - you could feel it through the screen.

The PDC's been smart about expansion lately. They don't just throw darts at a map (pun intended) and hope for the best anymore.

Meanwhile, Luke Humphries Just Completed Something Ridiculous

Speaking of this year's Premier League - Luke Humphries beat his mate Luke Littler to win the whole thing. And with that victory, he's now done something that only four players in history have managed.

The hat-trick of major majors: World Championship, World Matchplay, and Premier League. That's it. That's the holy trinity of darts.

Humphries was emotional after the win: "That one means the world to me. That's what I was missing. I have done it now." He's joined Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, and Michael van Gerwen in this exclusive club. Not bad company.

The Luke vs Luke Final Was... Weird

Here's where it gets interesting though. Humphries admitted the final wasn't great: "It wasn't our best game. We struggled." Both Lukes seemed off their usual standards, and Humphries blamed the conditions.

You could see it during the match - neither player looked comfortable. Sometimes that happens in big finals. The pressure does weird things to even the best players.

"I love Luke to bits. He's one of my best mates on tour," Humphries said about Littler afterward. That friendship makes these head-to-head battles even more intense, honestly.

What This Means for 2025

Belgium joining the Premier League circuit feels like the PDC testing the waters for even bigger European expansion. If Antwerp goes mental (and it will), don't be surprised if we see more unexpected venues popping up.

The sport's growing faster than anyone predicted. Back in 2018, suggesting Belgium would host Premier League Darts would've gotten you laughed out of most pubs.

Now? It's just another Thursday announcement from Barry Hearn.

Frequently Asked Questions

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

Statistics

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.

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The Dart Player's Journey: From Rookie to Robin Hood

I've been throwing darts since my college days back in 2008, but it wasn't until February 2022 that I really got serious about improving my game. That winter was brutal in Minneapolis—we had snow piled up to our windowsills, and I needed an indoor hobby that wouldn't drive my roommates crazy. Darts seemed perfect! Well, until I put a few holes in our wall... which led to my first lesson: always invest in a proper dartboard surround. My landlord wasn't thrilled about teh repair costs, but it taught me a valuable lesson about proper setup.