This has quickly become a war of attrition for both men, but one that feels more in Gian van Veen's grasp.

Against the throw, it is the Giant who takes command and buys himself six darts at 105 to break Jonny Clayton's throw.

The first two darts leave at double 16, but his effort is just on the low side.

Despite a 137 from Clayton, The Giant pins double eight for another break.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Jonny Clayton knows he hasn't clicked into gear yet but he'll take heart from the fact that he's back in the contest.

Well put, Stuart. This has been scrappy from Jonny Clayton, but he does land two back-to-back 140s to set up a chance at 120, as Gian van Veen misses out on 78.

Clayton goes just over at double 20 for what would have been a snatch, but is invited back as Van Veen misses a hat-trick at the 10s.

The Ferret does take double 20 this time to break back.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

That is going to happen in the Premier League. There will be scrappy games and wins.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

Jonny Clayton just hasn't been able to reproduce the standard of the 110 in the quarter-final.

Based on the scale of their victories in the quarter-finals, both Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen can and deserve to be fully confident.

Clayton gets six darts at 161, but only takes 26 with the first three. He's one of us!

Clayton cannot get 121 to go either and invites Van Veen back for 120, but he also falls short.

For 92, the Ferret looks for double-double 18 but again, misses out.

Van Veen breaks throw at double 16 from the second attempt.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

This is Jonny Clayton's favourite event. He can commit to it now he's in.

He is looking solid and relaxed.

On the Gian van Veen throw, he looks calm and settled on this Premier League stage.

Going for 64, a first dart treble seven scuppers his hopes but the Dutchman makes amends by pinning double 16 to level up.

Jonny Clayton, who averaged almost 110 earlier tonight, looks for a first leg hold with a 180 late into the leg.

Gian van Veen, could and maybe should have broke, but cannot pin tops despite an excellent marker.

Clayton comes back to sweep up on the 16s in one dart.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Gian van Veen had his headphones in just as Jonny Clayton walked on to the stage before him.

He looked laser focused.

The time for talking is over.

Both men could have only wished to make the final tonight to start off this campaign and one of Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen will be there later this evening.

But which new member of the Premier League line-up will bank an extra point in Newcastle's first semi-final?

Clayton to throw first, game on!

Jonny Clayton talking to Sky Sports: "It felt good. To be fair Josh [Rock] played well but i had to keep up on the scoring. I kept him under pressure with that and it went my way.

"I'm looking forward to everything in this Premier League. I wanted to be back in and I think I made quite the statement."

And Gian van Veen: "I couldn't have asked for much more. when I lost the World Championship final, I knew this would be a repeat, but neither of us played phenomenal.

Hopefully he [Jonny Clayton] doesn't have a 110 average again! He made a statement but hopefully he just keeps it to the quarter-finals tonight."

Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen, two new additions to this year's line-up, meet in the first semi-final in Newcastle.

The two have met four times previously, with two victories each and three of them being tight matches.

Last time out, The Giant was a 6-1 winner over The Ferret during last year's European tour.

The total prize money on offer during the 2026 Premier League Darts campaign is £1.25m, an increase of £250,000 from last year.

All eight players are guaranteed a minimum of £80,000, with the season winner earning £350,000.

There are also nightly prizes of £10,000 for the winner of each week's event during the regular season.

• Winner: £350,000
• Runner-up: £170,000
• Losing semi-finalists: £110,000
• Fifth: £95,000
• Sixth: £90,000
• Seventh: £85,000
• Eighth: £80,000
• Nightly wins during regular season: £10,000

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

I hope that doesn't zap Stephen Bunting's confidence. He played all right but he missed opportunities and that can be frustrating.

Michael van Gerwen failed to pick up a single night victory in 2025, but he has certainly given himself a good chance with that performance.

He averaged just over 100, while Stephen Bunting was a little back at 97.59.

On the doubles, Van Gerwen was smooth. MVG landed six from 11 attempts.

Less can be said for Bunting, who only took two of his eight attempts.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Utterly ruthless from Michael van Gerwen.

Stephen Bunting kept plugging away, but in the end, he looked powerless against the seven-time Premier League champion

Image source, PA Media

If Michael van Gerwen plays like this all season, we are in for a treat!

For the match, he starts the leg with five perfect darts and the sixth only narrowly misses the treble 20 segment.

The Dutchman leaves 85 after nine darts, but Stephen Bunting has a 170 chance...

The first dart is perfect, but dart two lands in treble one. A blow.

A rogue treble three from MVG gives Bunting an 87 chance, but he misses out on bull.

For a win, and a sixth straight leg, Van Gerwen splits 40 in half before pinning double 10.

A poor result for Bunting after early promise, but an excellent ending for Van Gerwen!

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

Stephen Bunting seems powerless to stop Michael van Gerwen running away with this game.

It feels like one man is growing and one man is wilting in this game.

Did that break poke the bear?

Stephen Bunting, against throw, starts with a 180. Michael van Gerwen is not fazed, start leg seven with back-to-back 140s himself.

Bunting then records a string of poor visits and while Van Gerwen's scoring dips, he does get down to a finish first.

From 85, Van Gerwen gets a dart at double five but flies over. A bit too much gusto there.

Bunting gets a go at 110 but is trebleless once more.

Back at the fives, the Dutchman is clinical to make it 5-2.