Seven-time Premier League Darts champion Michael van Gerwen has criticised this year’s tournament line-up.
He suggested the absence of former world champion Michael Smith has left a notable gap in the competition.
The Dutch star, speaking just weeks before the 2025 Premier League begins in Belfast, acknowledged the overall strength of the eight-player roster but pointed to Smith as the missing piece.
It marks the first Premier League since 2021 without Smith, who had established himself among darts’ elite following his World Championship triumph but has since faced a challenging period in his career.
Michael van Gerwen has hit out at the absence of Michael Smith from the Premier League
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Van Gerwen features in the tournament as one of the automatic qualifiers from the PDC’s top four rankings.
The remaining spots in the eight-player competition were awarded to Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey, who secured their places despite being ranked outside the top positions.
Defending champion Luke Littler will also take to the oche when the tournament begins in Belfast on Thursday.
Speaking to BetMGM Premier League Darts, Van Gerwen praised the PDC’s selection process while highlighting Smith’s absence.
“It’s an incredibly difficult decision for the PDC to choose the line-up – I think they did well,” said the Dutch champion.
“It’s quite strong but it could have been a little bit stronger. I miss one good player – Michael Smith – but outside that it’s eight really good darts players and that’s what people want to see.”
Van Gerwen also emphasised the importance of showmanship in the sport, adding: “It’s important to be a good player but it’s also how you come on stage and the show you put on. That’s all part of it.”
Smith’s absence from the Premier League follows a difficult period for the former world champion, who has been battling arthritis in his wrist throughout 2024.
Despite reaching the Premier League semi-finals last year and claiming World Cup of Darts victory alongside Luke Humphries, Smith’s form in major ranking tournaments has declined.
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His only significant run came with a semi-final appearance in the World Matchplay.
The ‘Bully Boy’ has not secured a major title since his World Championship victory, leading to a dramatic fall in the rankings.
Smith now sits at No.18 in the PDC Order of Merit, a position that has contributed to his Premier League exclusion.