Horizon Premier League: Difference between revisions

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'''Horizon Premier League Darts''' is a fictional invitational and qualification-based darts competition first staged in 2008. The competition became known for its long-form league structure, touring nightly format, and a championship play-off night at the end of each season.
'''Horizon Premier League Darts''' is a professional invitational and qualification-based darts competition first staged in 2008. The competition became known for its long-form league structure, touring nightly format, and a championship play-off night at the end of each season.


The league was originally built around an eight-player invitational model before expanding into a ten-player competition in 2020. From 2021, the competition introduced a formal qualification system in which the previous season's top four players retained automatic places while the remaining six players were required to qualify through a televised event.
The league was originally built around an eight-player invitational model before expanding into a ten-player competition in 2020. From 2021, the competition introduced a formal qualification system in which the previous season's top four players retained automatic places while the remaining six players were required to qualify through a televised event.


The competition has been defined by the dominance of {{flagathlete|[[Alex Brow]]|AUS}}, who won seven titles across the first seventeen seasons. Brow's early three-title dynasty was later challenged by {{flagathlete|[[Luke Littler]]|ENG}}, {{flagathlete|[[Michael van Gerwen]]|NED}}, {{flagathlete|[[Luke Humphries]]|ENG}}, and {{flagathlete|[[Gian van Veen]]|NED}}. By 2025, injuries to Brow and the rise of a new generation had become the central storyline of the league.
The competition has been defined by the dominance of [[Alex Brow]], who won seven titles across the first seventeen seasons. Brow's early three-title dynasty was later challenged by [[Luke Littler]], [[Michael van Gerwan]], [[Luke Humphries]], and [[Gian van Veen]].


==Format==
==Format==
Line 40: Line 40:
==Season history==
==Season history==


===Foundation and Alex Brow dynasty, 2008–2010===
===Foundation and Alex Brow dynasty, 2008—2010===
The first three seasons established Alex Brow as the face of the competition. Brow won the first two finals against Luke Littler before defeating Michael van Gerwen in the 2010 final. By the end of the third season, Brow had become the league's first true dynasty player.
The first three seasons established Alex Brow as the face of the competition. Brow won the first two finals against Luke Littler before defeating Michael van Gerwen in the 2010 final. By the end of the third season, Brow had become the league's first true dynasty player.


===The first challengers, 2011–2014===
===The first challengers, 2011—2014===
Michael van Gerwen ended Brow's opening run by winning the 2011 final. Littler then claimed back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, becoming the first player other than Brow to look capable of building a long-term dynasty. In 2014, Luke Humphries became the fourth champion in league history after defeating Littler in the final.
Michael van Gerwen ended Brow's opening run by winning the 2011 final. Littler then claimed back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, becoming the first player other than Brow to look capable of building a long-term dynasty. In 2014, Luke Humphries became the fourth champion in league history after defeating Littler in the final.


===Brow's second reign, 2015–2016===
===Brow's second reign, 2015—2016===
Brow returned to the top in 2015, defeating van Gerwen 11–4 in one of the most dominant finals in competition history. In 2016, he won a fifth title by defeating Chris Dobey 11–7. Dobey's run to the final became one of the major breakthrough stories of the period.
Brow returned to the top in 2015, defeating van Gerwen 11—4 in one of the most dominant finals in competition history. In 2016, he won a fifth title by defeating Chris Dobey 11—7. Dobey's run to the final became one of the major breakthrough stories of the period.


===Littler and van Gerwen close the gap, 2017–2019===
===Littler and van Gerwen close the gap, 2017—2019===
Littler won the 2017 and 2018 titles, defeating van Gerwen in consecutive finals. In 2019, van Gerwen reclaimed the trophy by beating Brow 11–8, ending a long wait for his second title and confirming that the league had moved into a true multi-champion era.
Littler won the 2017 and 2018 titles, defeating van Gerwen in consecutive finals. In 2019, van Gerwen reclaimed the trophy by beating Brow 11—8, ending a long wait for his second title and confirming that the league had moved into a true multi-champion era.


===Expanded-format era, 2020–2021===
===Expanded-format era, 2020—2021===
The ten-player format began in 2020. Brow won the first expanded season by defeating van Gerwen 11–8. The following season, Brow again defeated van Gerwen, this time 11–9, to claim his seventh title and strengthen his position as the competition's most decorated player.
The ten-player format began in 2020. Brow won the first expanded season by defeating van Gerwen 11—8. The following season, Brow again defeated van Gerwen, this time 11—9, to claim his seventh title and strengthen his position as the competition's most decorated player.


===Injuries, Gian van Veen and the changing order, 2022–2024===
===Injuries, Gian van Veen and the changing order, 2022—2024===
In 2022, Littler defeated van Gerwen 11–9 to win his fifth title and move closer to Brow's all-time record. In 2023, Gian van Veen completed one of the greatest stories in league history by beating Littler 11–9 in the final, one season after finally earning his place through qualification. In 2024, van Gerwen defeated Littler 11–10 in one of the highest-quality finals ever staged.
In 2022, Littler defeated van Gerwen 11—9 to win his fifth title and move closer to Brow's all-time record. In 2023, Gian van Veen completed one of the greatest stories in league history by beating Littler 11—9 in the final, one season after finally earning his place through qualification. In 2024, van Gerwen defeated Littler 11—10 in one of the highest-quality finals ever staged.


===Season 18 and Alex Brow's withdrawal===
===Season 18 and Alex Brow's withdrawal===
Line 70: Line 70:
! Runner-up
! Runner-up
! League phase winner
! League phase winner
! Format
! Notes
|-
|-
| 2008
| 2008
| Season 1
| Season 1
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| 11–8
| 11—8
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| rowspan="4" | {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Inaugural season; Brow becomes first champion.
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2009
| Season 2
| Season 2
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}} <sup>(2)</sup>
| 11–9
| 11—9
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Brow defeats Littler in a second consecutive final.
|-
|-
| 2010
| 2010
| Season 3
| Season 3
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}} <sup>(3)</sup>
| 11–10
| 11—10
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Brow completes the first three-peat.
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2011
| Season 4
| Season 4
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| 11–10
| 11—10
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Van Gerwen ends Brow's title streak.
|-
|-
| 2012
| 2012
| Season 5
| Season 5
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 11–10
| 11—10
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Littler wins his first title.
|-
|-
| 2013
| 2013
| Season 6
| Season 6
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}} <sup>(2)</sup>
| 11–10
| 11—10
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}  
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Littler defends the title.
|-
|-
| 2014
| 2014
| Season 7
| Season 7
| {{flagathlete|Luke Humphries|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Humphries|ENG}}
| 11–10
| 11—10
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| rowspan="2" | {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| First final not involving Alex Brow.
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2015
| Season 8
| Season 8
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}} <sup>(4)</sup>
| 11–4
| 11—4
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Brow returns with a dominant final performance.
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
| Season 9
| Season 9
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}} <sup>(5)</sup>
| 11–7
| 11—7
| {{flagathlete|Chris Dobey|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Chris Dobey|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Dobey reaches his first final.
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
| Season 10
| Season 10
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}} <sup>(3)</sup>
| 11–9
| 11—9
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| rowspan="2" | {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Littler wins title number three.
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| Season 11
| Season 11
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}} <sup>(4)</sup>
| 11–10
| 11—10
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Littler wins title number four.
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2019
| Season 12
| Season 12
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}} <sup>(2)</sup>
| 11–8
| 11—8
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Cameron Menzies|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|Cameron Menzies|SCO}}
| 8 players; top 4 play-offs
| Menzies tops the league in his debut season; MVG wins the title.
|-
|-
| 2020
| 2020
| Season 13
| Season 13
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}} <sup>(6)</sup>
| 11–8
| 11—8
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| 10 players; top 6 play-offs
| rowspan="2" | {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| First expanded-format season.
|-
|-
| 2021
| 2021
| Season 14
| Season 14
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}} <sup>(7)</sup>
| 11–9
| 11—9
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| 10 players; top 6 play-offs
| First season using top-four retention and qualification.
|-
|-
| 2022
| 2022
| Season 15
| Season 15
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}} <sup>(5)</sup>
| 11–9
| 11—9
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| rowspan="2" | {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 10 players; top 6 play-offs
| Brow plays through wrist and shoulder injuries.
|-
|-
| 2023
| 2023
| Season 16
| Season 16
| {{flagathlete|Gian van Veen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Gian van Veen|NED}}
| 11–9
| 11—9
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| 10 players; top 6 play-offs
| Van Veen wins his first title.
|-
|-
| 2024
| 2024
| Season 17
| Season 17
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}} <sup>(3)</sup>
| 11–10
| 11—10
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Luke Littler|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| 10 players; top 6 play-offs
| First season in which Brow misses Finals Night.
|-
|-
| 2025
| 2025
| Season 18
| Season 18
| ''To be decided''
| ''To be decided''
| —
| —
| ''To be decided''
| ''To be decided''
| 10 players; top 6 play-offs
| Brow withdraws before the season; Ryan Joyce replaces him.
|}
 
==Season-by-season summaries==
 
===Season 1: 2008===
The inaugural season established the league's identity. Alex Brow finished top and defeated Luke Littler in the final. The result created the first major rivalry in the competition.
 
===Season 2: 2009===
Brow and Littler met again in the final. Littler pushed Brow closer than the previous year, but Brow retained the title and became the first two-time champion.
 
===Season 3: 2010===
Brow completed the first three-peat by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the Grand Final. The season introduced van Gerwen as a long-term title threat.
 
===Season 4: 2011===
Van Gerwen defeated Brow 11–10 in the final. The result ended Brow's opening dynasty and gave the league its first Dutch champion.
 
===Season 5: 2012===
Littler finally broke through by beating Brow 11–10. The win began Littler's rise from contender to future record-chaser.
 
===Season 6: 2013===
Littler defeated Brow again and became the first player after Brow to successfully defend the title.
 
===Season 7: 2014===
Humphries defeated Littler in the final. It was the first Grand Final in league history not to feature Alex Brow, making it one of the competition's most symbolic seasons.
 
===Season 8: 2015===
Brow returned to the final and destroyed van Gerwen 11–4. The emphatic victory became one of the most dominant championship performances in league history.
 
===Season 9: 2016===
Chris Dobey reached his first final but was beaten by Brow. Brow's fifth title created a gap that looked almost impossible to close.
 
===Season 10: 2017===
Littler defeated van Gerwen in the final to win his third title. The season marked the start of the modern title-race conversation between Brow and Littler.
 
===Season 11: 2018===
Littler again defeated van Gerwen, this time 11–10, and moved to four titles. The gap to Brow narrowed to one for the first time.
 
===Season 12: 2019===
Cameron Menzies topped the league phase in his debut season, but van Gerwen won the title by beating Brow 11–8. It was van Gerwen's second championship and his first since 2011.
 
===Season 13: 2020===
The league expanded to ten players and adopted a top-six play-off format. Brow defeated van Gerwen 11–8 in the final, reclaiming the trophy and extending his record to six titles.
 
===Season 14: 2021===
The qualification era began. The previous season's top four retained automatic places, while six players qualified through a separate event. Brow again defeated van Gerwen in the final, winning title number seven.
 
===Season 15: 2022===
Brow returned after breaking his throwing wrist and damaging his shoulder, but the injuries caught up with him during the second half of the campaign. Littler defeated van Gerwen 11–9 in the final and moved to five titles.
 
===Season 16: 2023===
Gian van Veen produced one of the greatest runs in league history. After defeating van Gerwen in the semi-final, he beat Littler 11–9 in the final to become champion.
 
===Season 17: 2024===
Brow aggravated his injuries and missed Finals Night for the first time. Van Gerwen produced the greatest league campaign of his career and defeated Littler 11–10 in the final.
 
===Season 18: 2025===
Brow withdrew before the season on medical advice. The decision produced an emotional statement from Brow and began a major controversy when Gian van Veen criticised the idea that the league still belonged to Brow. Ryan Joyce was added to the field as Brow's replacement.
 
==Line-ups==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Season
! Year
! Players
|-
| Season 1
| 2008
| Alex Brow; Luke Littler; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries; Gerwyn Price; Stephen Bunting; Rob Cross; Nathan Aspinall
|-
| Season 2
| 2009
| Alex Brow; Luke Littler; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries; Gerwyn Price; Stephen Bunting; Rob Cross; Nathan Aspinall
|-
| Season 3
| 2010
| Alex Brow; Luke Littler; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries; Gerwyn Price; Stephen Bunting; Rob Cross; Chris Dobey
|-
| Season 4
| 2011
| Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Littler; Luke Humphries; Gerwyn Price; Josh Rock; Stephen Bunting; Nathan Aspinall
|-
| Season 5
| 2012
| Michael van Gerwen; Alex Brow; Luke Littler; Luke Humphries; Gerwyn Price; Stephen Bunting; Chris Dobey; Beau Greaves
|-
| Season 6
| 2013
| Luke Littler; Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries; Chris Dobey; Gerwyn Price; Rob Cross; Damon Heta
|-
| Season 7
| 2014
| Luke Littler; Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries; Chris Dobey; Rob Cross; Josh Rock; Nathan Aspinall
|-
| Season 8
| 2015
| Luke Humphries; Luke Littler; Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Chris Dobey; Rob Cross; Stephen Bunting; Damon Heta
|-
| Season 9
| 2016
| Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Littler; Luke Humphries; Chris Dobey; Rob Cross; Gerwyn Price; Beau Greaves
|-
| Season 10
| 2017
| Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Chris Dobey; Luke Littler; Luke Humphries; Gerwyn Price; Nathan Aspinall; Josh Rock
|-
| Season 11
| 2018
| Luke Littler; Michael van Gerwen; Alex Brow; Chris Dobey; Luke Humphries; Josh Rock; Damon Heta; Beau Greaves
|-
| Season 12
| 2019
| Luke Littler; Michael van Gerwen; Alex Brow; Luke Humphries; Chris Dobey; Josh Rock; Luke Woodhouse; Cameron Menzies
|-
| Season 13
| 2020
| Michael van Gerwen; Alex Brow; Luke Littler; Cameron Menzies; Luke Humphries; Chris Dobey; Josh Rock; Stephen Bunting; Ryan Joyce; Connor Scutt
|-
| Season 14
| 2021
| Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Littler; Luke Humphries; Chris Dobey; Cameron Menzies; Josh Rock; Ryan Joyce; Connor Scutt; Danny Noppert
|-
| Season 15
| 2022
| Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries; Danny Noppert; Luke Littler; Chris Dobey; Cameron Menzies; Gian van Veen; Josh Rock; Ryan Joyce
|-
| Season 16
| 2023
| Luke Littler; Michael van Gerwen; Gian van Veen; Danny Noppert; Alex Brow; Luke Humphries; Chris Dobey; Ryan Joyce; Martin Schindler; Stephen Bunting
|-
| Season 17
| 2024
| Gian van Veen; Luke Littler; Alex Brow; Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries; Danny Noppert; Chris Dobey; Martin Schindler; Josh Rock; Mike De Decker
|-
| Season 18
| 2025
| Michael van Gerwen; Luke Littler; Gian van Veen; Luke Humphries; Danny Noppert; Martin Schindler; Chris Dobey; Josh Rock; Nathan Aspinall; Ryan Joyce
|}
 
==Finals Night results by season==
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Season
! Year
! Quarter-finals
! Semi-finals
! Final
|-
| Season 1
| 2008
| —
| Alex Brow def. Michael van Gerwen; Luke Littler def. Luke Humphries
| Alex Brow def. Luke Littler 11–8
|-
| Season 2
| 2009
| —
| Alex Brow def. Michael van Gerwen; Luke Littler def. Stephen Bunting
| Alex Brow def. Luke Littler 11–9
|-
| Season 3
| 2010
| —
| Alex Brow def. Luke Littler; Michael van Gerwen def. Luke Humphries
| Alex Brow def. Michael van Gerwen 11–10
|-
| Season 4
| 2011
| —
| Alex Brow def. Luke Humphries; Michael van Gerwen def. Luke Littler
| Michael van Gerwen def. Alex Brow 11–10
|-
| Season 5
| 2012
| —
| Luke Littler def. Luke Humphries; Alex Brow def. Michael van Gerwen
| Luke Littler def. Alex Brow 11–10
|-
| Season 6
| 2013
| —
| Alex Brow def. Luke Humphries; Luke Littler def. Michael van Gerwen
| Luke Littler def. Alex Brow 11–10
|-
| Season 7
| 2014
| —
| Luke Littler def. Michael van Gerwen; Luke Humphries def. Alex Brow
| Luke Humphries def. Luke Littler 11–10
|-
| Season 8
| 2015
| —
| Alex Brow def. Luke Littler 10–5; Michael van Gerwen def. Luke Humphries 10–3
| Alex Brow def. Michael van Gerwen 11–4
|-
| Season 9
| 2016
| —
| Alex Brow def. Luke Littler 10–7; Chris Dobey def. Michael van Gerwen 10–8
| Alex Brow def. Chris Dobey 11–7
|-
| Season 10
| 2017
| —
| Luke Littler def. Alex Brow 10–6; Michael van Gerwen def. Chris Dobey 10–7
| Luke Littler def. Michael van Gerwen 11–9
|-
| Season 11
| 2018
| —
| Luke Littler def. Luke Humphries 10–4; Michael van Gerwen def. Alex Brow 10–8
| Luke Littler def. Michael van Gerwen 11–10
|-
| Season 12
| 2019
| —
| Michael van Gerwen def. Cameron Menzies 10–6; Alex Brow def. Luke Littler 10–6
| Michael van Gerwen def. Alex Brow 11–8
|-
| Season 13
| 2020
| Luke Littler def. Ryan Joyce 10–5; Luke Humphries def. Cameron Menzies 10–9
| Michael van Gerwen def. Luke Humphries 10–4; Alex Brow def. Luke Littler 10–8
| Alex Brow def. Michael van Gerwen 11–8
|-
| Season 14
| 2021
| Danny Noppert def. Luke Littler 10–9; Luke Humphries def. Chris Dobey 10–9
| Michael van Gerwen def. Danny Noppert 10–6; Alex Brow def. Luke Humphries 10–7
| Alex Brow def. Michael van Gerwen 11–9
|-
| Season 15
| 2022
| Michael van Gerwen def. Alex Brow 10–6; Danny Noppert def. Luke Humphries 10–9
| Luke Littler def. Danny Noppert 10–6; Michael van Gerwen def. Gian van Veen 10–8
| Luke Littler def. Michael van Gerwen 11–9
|-
| Season 16
| 2023
| Gian van Veen def. Danny Noppert 10–7; Alex Brow def. Luke Humphries 10–9
| Luke Littler def. Alex Brow 10–5; Gian van Veen def. Michael van Gerwen 10–9
| Gian van Veen def. Luke Littler 11–9
|-
| Season 17
| 2024
| Gian van Veen def. Martin Schindler 10–8; Luke Humphries def. Danny Noppert 10–9
| Michael van Gerwen def. Luke Humphries 10–3; Luke Littler def. Gian van Veen 10–9
| Michael van Gerwen def. Luke Littler 11–10
|-
| Season 18
| 2025
| ''To be decided''
| ''To be decided''
| ''To be decided''
| ''To be decided''
| ''To be decided''
Line 546: Line 247:
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 1
| —
| —
| —
| —
|}
|}


Line 582: Line 283:
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| {{flagathlete|Michael van Gerwen|NED}}
| 2011
| 2011
| Defeated Alex Brow 11–10 in Season 4.
| Defeated Alex Brow 11—10 in Season 4.
|-
|-
| First debutant league-phase winner
| First debutant league-phase winner
Line 596: Line 297:
| Largest Grand Final win
| Largest Grand Final win
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|Alex Brow|AUS}}
| 11–4
| 11—4
| Defeated Michael van Gerwen in the Season 8 final.
| Defeated Michael van Gerwen in the Season 8 final.
|-
|-
Line 632: Line 333:
|}
|}


==Notable rivalries==
== Appearances ==
Since the tournament made its debut in 2008, [[Alex Brow]] was the only player to appear in every edition of the Horizon Premier League until the 2025 season, when he withdrew before the campaign due to ongoing wrist and shoulder injuries. Brow's run covered the first seventeen seasons and included seven titles, twelve finals, and the longest continuous presence in competition history.
 
The competition originally used an eight-player invitational format. From the 2020 season, the tournament expanded to ten players and introduced a top-six play-off structure. From 2021, the top four finishers from the previous season automatically retained their places, while the remaining six positions were decided through the Premier League Qualifiers. This change created a direct route into the competition for new and returning players.
 
In 2023, [[Gian van Veen]] became the first player to win the competition after previously being removed from a confirmed line-up before throwing a dart. In 2025, Brow's withdrawal marked the first season in which the league was played without its most successful player.
 
=== Premier League players and performance ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:0; text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
!Player
!#
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2008 Horizon Premier League Darts|08]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2009 Horizon Premier League Darts|09]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2010 Horizon Premier League Darts|10]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2011 Horizon Premier League Darts|11]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2012 Horizon Premier League Darts|12]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2013 Horizon Premier League Darts|13]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2014 Horizon Premier League Darts|14]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2015 Horizon Premier League Darts|15]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2016 Horizon Premier League Darts|16]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2017 Horizon Premier League Darts|17]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2018 Horizon Premier League Darts|18]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2019 Horizon Premier League Darts|19]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2020 Horizon Premier League Darts|20]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2021 Horizon Premier League Darts|21]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2022 Horizon Premier League Darts|22]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2023 Horizon Premier League Darts|23]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2024 Horizon Premier League Darts|24]]
! data-sort-type="number" |[[2025 Horizon Premier League Darts|25]]
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Alex Brow]]|AUS}}
|17
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:white;" |{{Hs|20}} WD
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Luke Littler]]|ENG}}
|17
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Michael van Gerwen]]|NED}}
|18
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Luke Humphries]]|ENG}}
|18
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |4
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |4
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Chris Dobey]]|ENG}}
|13
| colspan="2" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:silver;" |{{Hs|2}} RU
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Gerwyn Price]]|WAL}}
|8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| colspan="8" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Stephen Bunting]]|ENG}}
|7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| colspan="6" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |9
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
| colspan="2" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Rob Cross]]|ENG}}
|9
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| colspan="8" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Nathan Aspinall]]|ENG}}
|6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| colspan="8" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Beau Greaves]]|ENG}}
|3
| colspan="4" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| colspan="3" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| colspan="2" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| colspan="7" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Damon Heta]]|AUS}}
|4
| colspan="5" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| colspan="1" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| colspan="2" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| colspan="6" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Josh Rock]]|NIR}}
|8
| colspan="3" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| colspan="2" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| colspan="2" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |9
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |9
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |9
| style="background:#afeeee;" |9
| colspan="1" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |9
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Cameron Menzies]]|SCO}}
|6
| colspan="11" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |7
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
| colspan="3" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Luke Woodhouse]]|ENG}}
|1
| colspan="11" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| colspan="6" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Ryan Joyce]]|ENG}}
|5
| colspan="12" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |9
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Connor Scutt]]|ENG}}
|2
| colspan="12" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
| colspan="4" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Danny Noppert]]|NED}}
|5
| colspan="13" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|4}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |5
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Gian van Veen]]|NED}}
|4
| colspan="14" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:gold;" |{{Hs|1}} '''W'''
| style="background:#ffebcd;" |{{Hs|3}} SF
| style="background:#afeeee;" |3
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Martin Schindler]]|GER}}
|3
| colspan="15" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |8
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
| style="background:#afeeee;" |6
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#efefef;" |{{flagathlete|[[Mike De Decker]]|BEL}}
|1
| colspan="16" style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
| style="background:#afeeee;" |10
| style="color:#ccc;" |{{Hs|100}} ×
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! colspan="10" |Table Legend
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:gold" |'''W'''
|Won in playoffs
| style="text-align:center; background:silver;" |RU
|Runner-up
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffebcd;" |SF
|Lost in the semi-finals
| style="text-align:center; background:#afeeee;" |#
| colspan="3" |Final position, not winner or runner-up
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:white;" |WD
|Withdrew before tournament
| style="color:#ccc; text-align:center; width:30px;" |×
|Did not play
|}
 
==Notes==


===Alex Brow vs Luke Littler===
* The number column counts seasons in which the player was part of the announced or final playing field. Alex Brow's 2025 withdrawal is included because he qualified and was announced before withdrawing.
The Brow–Littler rivalry is considered the defining rivalry of the competition. The pair met in multiple finals, semi-finals and league-deciding matches. Brow won the first two finals between them, while Littler later became the main threat to Brow's all-time title record.


===Alex Brow vs Michael van Gerwen===
* From 2020 onward, fifth and sixth place could still represent a Finals Night appearance because of the expanded six-player play-off format.
Brow and van Gerwen contested five Grand Finals. Van Gerwen ended Brow's opening dynasty in 2011, while Brow later defeated him in the 2015, 2020 and 2021 finals. Van Gerwen defeated Brow again in 2019.


===Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen===
* From 2021 onward, the top four from the previous season automatically qualified, while the remaining six places were decided through the Premier League Qualifiers.
Littler and van Gerwen became the dominant late-era rivalry. They met in consecutive finals in 2017 and 2018, then again in 2022 and 2024. Their matches became known for high averages and tight scorelines.


===Alex Brow vs Gian van Veen===
* Alex Brow withdrew before the 2025 season due to ongoing throwing wrist and shoulder injuries. Ryan Joyce replaced him in the final field.
The Brow–van Veen rivalry began off the board. After Brow withdrew from Season 18 through injury, van Veen made comments suggesting the Premier League no longer belonged to Brow. The league fined van Veen and ordered an apology. A later exhibition match saw Brow defeat van Veen 15–2 with a 122.44 average, a nine-dart finish and 21 maximums.


==Controversies==
==Controversies==
Line 655: Line 661:


===Van Veen comments and fine===
===Van Veen comments and fine===
Following Brow's withdrawal, Gian van Veen questioned whether the league still belonged to Brow. The comments caused a major backlash. League CEO David Archer later fined van Veen £25,000 and ordered a public apology, stating that players should not use another player's injury rehabilitation period as an opportunity to attack them.
Following Brow's withdrawal, Gian van Veen questioned whether the league still belonged to Brow. The comments caused a major backlash. League CEO David Archer later fined van Veen £25,000 and ordered a public apology, stating that players should not use another player's injury rehabilitation period as an opportunity to attack them.


==Post-injury exhibition match==
==Post-injury exhibition match==
Line 668: Line 674:
| 2025
| 2025
| Alex Brow vs Gian van Veen
| Alex Brow vs Gian van Veen
| Alex Brow won 15–2
| Alex Brow won 15—2
| 122.44
| 122.44
| Brow hit a nine-dart finish, 21 maximums and produced the highest recorded average in a Premier League-associated match.
| Brow hit a nine-dart finish, 21 maximums and produced the highest recorded average in a Premier League-associated match.

Revision as of 07:33, 12 June 2026

Horizon Premier League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event [[2025 Horizon Premier League Darts]]
SportDarts
Founded2008
First season2008
Organising bodyHorizon Premier League Committee
No. of teams10
CountriesAustralia, England, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium
Most recent
champion(s)		 Michael van Gerwen (NED)
(2024)
Most titles Alex Brow (AUS) (7 titles)
QualificationTop four retained from previous season; six places decided by Premier League Qualifiers
Tournament formatLegs

Horizon Premier League Darts is a professional invitational and qualification-based darts competition first staged in 2008. The competition became known for its long-form league structure, touring nightly format, and a championship play-off night at the end of each season.

The league was originally built around an eight-player invitational model before expanding into a ten-player competition in 2020. From 2021, the competition introduced a formal qualification system in which the previous season's top four players retained automatic places while the remaining six players were required to qualify through a televised event.

The competition has been defined by the dominance of Alex Brow, who won seven titles across the first seventeen seasons. Brow's early three-title dynasty was later challenged by Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwan, Luke Humphries, and Gian van Veen.

Format

Original eight-player era

From 2008 to 2019, the competition used an eight-player league system. Players competed across sixteen league nights, with the top four qualifying for Finals Night. Semi-finals and the Grand Final were played at The O2 Arena in London.

Ten-player expansion

In 2020, the league expanded to ten players. The season increased to eighteen league nights, and the play-off field expanded from four players to six. The top two players in the league phase received byes directly into the semi-finals, while players ranked third to sixth contested quarter-finals.

Qualification era

From 2021 onward, the league introduced a new qualification system. The top four finishers from the previous season were automatically retained. The remaining six positions were decided through the Premier League Qualifiers.

This system was introduced to stop the league from recycling the same field every season and to create a direct pathway for new players. The system immediately produced new storylines, including the arrivals of  Danny Noppert (NED),  Gian van Veen (NED),  Martin Schindler (GER), and Template:Country data BEL.

Season history

Foundation and Alex Brow dynasty, 2008—2010

The first three seasons established Alex Brow as the face of the competition. Brow won the first two finals against Luke Littler before defeating Michael van Gerwen in the 2010 final. By the end of the third season, Brow had become the league's first true dynasty player.

The first challengers, 2011—2014

Michael van Gerwen ended Brow's opening run by winning the 2011 final. Littler then claimed back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, becoming the first player other than Brow to look capable of building a long-term dynasty. In 2014, Luke Humphries became the fourth champion in league history after defeating Littler in the final.

Brow's second reign, 2015—2016

Brow returned to the top in 2015, defeating van Gerwen 11—4 in one of the most dominant finals in competition history. In 2016, he won a fifth title by defeating Chris Dobey 11—7. Dobey's run to the final became one of the major breakthrough stories of the period.

Littler and van Gerwen close the gap, 2017—2019

Littler won the 2017 and 2018 titles, defeating van Gerwen in consecutive finals. In 2019, van Gerwen reclaimed the trophy by beating Brow 11—8, ending a long wait for his second title and confirming that the league had moved into a true multi-champion era.

Expanded-format era, 2020—2021

The ten-player format began in 2020. Brow won the first expanded season by defeating van Gerwen 11—8. The following season, Brow again defeated van Gerwen, this time 11—9, to claim his seventh title and strengthen his position as the competition's most decorated player.

Injuries, Gian van Veen and the changing order, 2022—2024

In 2022, Littler defeated van Gerwen 11—9 to win his fifth title and move closer to Brow's all-time record. In 2023, Gian van Veen completed one of the greatest stories in league history by beating Littler 11—9 in the final, one season after finally earning his place through qualification. In 2024, van Gerwen defeated Littler 11—10 in one of the highest-quality finals ever staged.

Season 18 and Alex Brow's withdrawal

Ahead of the 2025 season, Alex Brow announced that he would miss the league for the first time because of his ongoing throwing wrist and shoulder injuries. Ryan Joyce was named as his replacement. The announcement triggered the most heated off-stage controversy in league history after Gian van Veen criticised the idea that the league still belonged to Brow. Van Veen was later fined and ordered to apologise by the league.

Finals

Year Season Champion Score Runner-up League phase winner
2008 Season 1 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 11—8 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS)
2009 Season 2 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) (2) 11—9 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG)
2010 Season 3 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) (3) 11—10 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED)
2011 Season 4 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) 11—10 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS)
2012 Season 5 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) 11—10 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG)
2013 Season 6 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) (2) 11—10 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS)
2014 Season 7 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries (ENG) 11—10 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG)
2015 Season 8 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) (4) 11—4 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED)
2016 Season 9 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) (5) 11—7 File:Flag of England.svg Chris Dobey (ENG) Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS)
2017 Season 10 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) (3) 11—9 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG)
2018 Season 11 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) (4) 11—10 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED)
2019 Season 12 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) (2) 11—8 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) File:Flag of Scotland.svg Cameron Menzies (SCO)
2020 Season 13 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) (6) 11—8 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED)
2021 Season 14 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) (7) 11—9 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED)
2022 Season 15 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) (5) 11—9 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG)
2023 Season 16 Error creating thumbnail:  Gian van Veen (NED) 11—9 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG)
2024 Season 17 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) (3) 11—10 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED)
2025 Season 18 To be decided — To be decided To be decided

Champions

Rank Player Titles Runner-up Finals First title Most recent title
1 Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 7 5 12 2008 2021
2 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) 5 6 11 2012 2022
3 Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) 3 7 10 2011 2024
4 File:Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries (ENG) 1 1 2 2014 2014
4 Error creating thumbnail:  Gian van Veen (NED) 1 0 1 2023 2023
6 File:Flag of England.svg Chris Dobey (ENG) 0 1 1 — —

Records and statistics

Major records

Record Holder Mark Details
Most titles Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 7 Won across Seasons 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 13 and 14.
Most consecutive titles Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 3 Seasons 1 to 3.
Most finals Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 12 Brow reached finals across three separate eras.
Most titles by a non-Australian player File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) 5 Littler became the closest challenger to Brow's record.
First Dutch champion Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) 2011 Defeated Alex Brow 11—10 in Season 4.
First debutant league-phase winner File:Flag of Scotland.svg Cameron Menzies (SCO) 2019 Topped the Season 12 league table.
First debutant champion Error creating thumbnail:  Gian van Veen (NED) 2023 Defeated Luke Littler in the Season 16 final.
Largest Grand Final win Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 11—4 Defeated Michael van Gerwen in the Season 8 final.
Highest recorded exhibition average Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 122.44 Recorded in the post-injury exhibition against Gian van Veen.

Champions by country

Country Players Total titles First title Most recent title
Template:Country data Australia 1 7 2008 2021
Template:Country data England 2 6 2012 2022
Error creating thumbnail:  Netherlands 2 4 2011 2024

Appearances

Since the tournament made its debut in 2008, Alex Brow was the only player to appear in every edition of the Horizon Premier League until the 2025 season, when he withdrew before the campaign due to ongoing wrist and shoulder injuries. Brow's run covered the first seventeen seasons and included seven titles, twelve finals, and the longest continuous presence in competition history.

The competition originally used an eight-player invitational format. From the 2020 season, the tournament expanded to ten players and introduced a top-six play-off structure. From 2021, the top four finishers from the previous season automatically retained their places, while the remaining six positions were decided through the Premier League Qualifiers. This change created a direct route into the competition for new and returning players.

In 2023, Gian van Veen became the first player to win the competition after previously being removed from a confirmed line-up before throwing a dart. In 2025, Brow's withdrawal marked the first season in which the league was played without its most successful player.

Premier League players and performance

Player # 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 17 W W W RU RU RU SF W W SF SF RU W W 6 SF 7 WD
File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) 17 RU RU SF SF W W RU SF SF W W SF SF 6 W RU RU 5
Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) 18 SF SF RU W SF SF SF RU SF RU RU W RU RU RU SF W 5
File:Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries (ENG) 18 SF 4 SF SF SF SF W SF 5 5 SF 5 SF SF 5 5 SF 4
File:Flag of England.svg Chris Dobey (ENG) 13 × 5 × 5 5 5 5 RU SF SF 6 7 5 7 7 8 7
File:Flag of Wales (1959–present).svg Gerwyn Price (WAL) 8 5 5 6 6 6 6 × × 6 7 ×
File:Flag of England.svg Stephen Bunting (ENG) 7 6 6 6 6 6 × 8 9 × × 10 ×
File:Flag of England.svg Rob Cross (ENG) 9 7 7 × × × 6 6 6 7 6 ×
File:Flag of England.svg Nathan Aspinall (ENG) 6 8 8 × 8 × × 8 × 10 × 10
File:Flag of England.svg Beau Greaves (ENG) 3 × 7 × 8 × 8 ×
Error creating thumbnail:  Damon Heta (AUS) 4 × 7 × 7 × 7 7 ×
File:Ulster Banner.svg Josh Rock (NIR) 8 × 7 × 7 × 6 9 8 9 × 9 9 × 9
File:Flag of Scotland.svg Cameron Menzies (SCO) 6 × SF 5 7 10 ×
File:Flag of England.svg Luke Woodhouse (ENG) 1 × 8 ×
File:Flag of England.svg Ryan Joyce (ENG) 5 × 6 8 8 9 × 10
File:Flag of England.svg Connor Scutt (ENG) 2 × 10 10 ×
Error creating thumbnail:  Danny Noppert (NED) 5 × SF SF 6 5 6
Error creating thumbnail:  Gian van Veen (NED) 4 × SF W SF 3
Error creating thumbnail:  Martin Schindler (GER) 3 × 8 6 6
Template:Country data BEL 1 × 10 ×
Table Legend
W Won in playoffs RU Runner-up SF Lost in the semi-finals # Final position, not winner or runner-up
WD Withdrew before tournament × Did not play

Notes

  • The number column counts seasons in which the player was part of the announced or final playing field. Alex Brow's 2025 withdrawal is included because he qualified and was announced before withdrawing.
  • From 2020 onward, fifth and sixth place could still represent a Finals Night appearance because of the expanded six-player play-off format.
  • From 2021 onward, the top four from the previous season automatically qualified, while the remaining six places were decided through the Premier League Qualifiers.
  • Alex Brow withdrew before the 2025 season due to ongoing throwing wrist and shoulder injuries. Ryan Joyce replaced him in the final field.

Controversies

Gian van Veen removal before Season 13

Gian van Veen was initially announced for Season 13 before being removed by the league CEO and replaced by Stephen Bunting. The decision was heavily criticised by fans and later became a major part of van Veen's story when he qualified properly for Season 15.

Season 18 Alex Brow withdrawal

Brow withdrew from Season 18 on medical advice due to the risk of permanent injury to his throwing wrist and shoulder. It was the first season in league history not to include him.

Van Veen comments and fine

Following Brow's withdrawal, Gian van Veen questioned whether the league still belonged to Brow. The comments caused a major backlash. League CEO David Archer later fined van Veen £25,000 and ordered a public apology, stating that players should not use another player's injury rehabilitation period as an opportunity to attack them.

Post-injury exhibition match

Date Match Result Average Notes
2025 Alex Brow vs Gian van Veen Alex Brow won 15—2 122.44 Brow hit a nine-dart finish, 21 maximums and produced the highest recorded average in a Premier League-associated match.

The exhibition was promoted as a one-off return match after the public dispute between Brow and van Veen. It became one of the most-watched darts exhibitions in league history and immediately changed public discussion about Brow's recovery.

All-time title count

Player Titles
Error creating thumbnail:  Alex Brow (AUS) 7
File:Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (ENG) 5
Error creating thumbnail:  Michael van Gerwen (NED) 3
Error creating thumbnail:  Gian van Veen (NED) 1
File:Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries (ENG) 1

See also

Notes

References

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