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The opening night of the season brings us a replay of January's World Championship final as back-to-back winner Luke Littler faces the Netherlands' Gian van Veen.

Littler won that 7-1 and has since beaten Van Veen in the Saudi Arabia Masters, but this will be their first Premier League meeting with Van Veen making his first appearance after moving to third in the world rankings.

"I'm just going to enjoy the walk on and maybe the first leg and then afterwards it is game time, especially against Luke Littler," said Van Veen.

"You can't be enjoying it too much because you need to be on top of your game and even that might not be enough.

"I'm very determined [to beat him]. He is too good to let him run away from you - if you lose like five or six times in a row, he'll be one or two-nil up next time before the game has even started because he's so confident that'll be beat you anyway.

"You need to poke back at him a couple of times and get one back over him and I think this is the perfect day to do it. He is such good form but hopefully I can show it as well."

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Reigning world champion and world number one Luke Littler says Phil Taylor is still the greatest darts player of all-time after Luke Humphries said the youngster deserved the title.

Littler became the joint-third most successful player in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era of the sport by beating Humphries in the final of the Masters on Sunday night.

It led to 2024 world champion Humphries calling the 19-year-old "the greatest darts player who has ever lived", although Littler disagrees with that claim.

"It's really good to hear but I'm not one of those to go off and say 'yeah, I am the best' because I'm not the best," said Littler.

"Phil Taylor will always be the best, unless I somehow win more than him, and what he's done for the sport. So we can only see what happens in my career.

"Unless I go on and win 16 worlds and 16 Matchplays, or 17 then I'll get one over him then I'll be the best, but until someone breaks his records then he'll always be the best."

Read more on this, including Humphries slightly back-tracking.

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Just over a month ago, darts' two starring young players competed in the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship final where Luke Littler beat Gian van Veen for his second world title.

Tonight, the duo face each other again in the second Newcastle quarter-final and Van Veen will be out for revenge against the current world number one.

The Nuke is ahead in head-to-head matches against The Giant with five wins to Van Veen's three, including winning each of their last three encounters. He has also reached the last two Premier League Darts finals.

Van Veen is on Premier League debut but is now ranked third in the world and recently became the Netherlands' top-ranked player, ending Van Gerwen's long rein of dominance.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Newcastle

For a player who is the reigning European champion and reached the final of the World Championship just a month ago, Gian van Veen was surprisingly modest ahead of this tournament.

Discussing his chances of glory, van Veen said: "I don't see myself finishing top of the league."

He added: "I think it will be difficult to finish on top, but as long as I get in the top four and get to the O2, I think I've got a good shot at it."

Can the 23-year-old be the silent assassin of the eight-man field, perhaps?

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

We know Luke Littler is the player to bet and the other players have said that.

Don't worry about the league phase - I don't think anyone will match him in the league phase - it is the play-offs. On one night, of course he can lose.

Players know he's beatable but over this league format it will be a chore to beat him.

Littler may win seven, eight or nine weeks, who knows.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Newcastle

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During yesterday's media launch, Josh Rock jokingly called Jonny Clayton the "old boy" of the Premier League and said he hoped the Welshman would be "rusty".

It's safe to say there were no signs of rust whatsoever from the Welshman there!

As Stuart Pyke alludes to, Josh Rock can hardly be too disappointed with his display at an average of 101.83.

But that number feels measly compared to Jonny Clayton who fell a fraction shy of a 110 average in that match.

The Ferret took six of his eight darts at a double, an incredible 75% rate. Rock got five darts on the doubles, landing two but missing the bull on multiple occasions.

Like the final result, Clayton also won 6-2 in 180s.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

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Josh Rock hasn't played badly but this is a real learning curve for him. He averaged 102 and got pretty well beaten.

What a performance from Jonny Clayton. That was a blistering performance.

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Against the throw, Jonny Clayton starts leg eight with another 100 to move within touching distance of a big opening night win.

He gets a visit at 152 for a break as Josh Rock waits on 160. Clayton cannot gets it started but takes 100 out of it.

Back to Rock, the first dart is perfect and dart two looked destined for treble 20, but is blocked by his opener.

Clayton makes Rock pay once more. 20 and double 16 take out 52 in two darts for a 6-2 win.

A perfect return for Jonny Clayton, who will face either Luke Littler or Gian van Veen in the semi-finals.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

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Jonny Clayton doesn't panic. He just absorbs the pressure and then suffocates you with his consistency.

He just doesn't look like missing right now and his scoring is there too. It's almost the perfect opening performance.

As Glen says, this may not have been the pick of the quarter-finals on paper. So far, they're putting a strong bid in for that unofficial crown.

As I write that, this leg takes a slight dip and on Jonny Clayton's throw, Josh Rock needs to put the pressure on.

A ton from Clayton buys him a visit at 68, with Rock waiting on 145.

In two darts, Clayton sees it off at double four. Clayton has been superb.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

I thought the headline game was going to be the second match but this is staggering so far. It's beautiful to watch.

Josh Rock, back on his throw, finds the sixth 180 of this match. Jonny Clayton responds with a visit of 180 two throws later.

Rock gets one dart at bull for 3-3 but is wide once more. Clayton punishes him on double 16 for a break and a 4-2 lead.

After four legs, both men are going at a rate of over 105 each and after 140 starts to leg five, Clayton makes a push with another 180 to buy two visits at 115.

Treble 19 is good and so is the 18, but the double 20 finish is miles above the bed.

The Ferret comes back and pins tops at the first attempt. Another hold of throw.

Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports

This is outstanding already.

If this is the way it is going to be for the next four months then just sit back and enjoy.

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You can tell both of these men are just loving being on this stage.

Clayton, for the first time in three years. Rock, for the first time altogether.

Rock gets six darts to see off 85 for 2-2 and almost does it in three, fall shorting on double eight.

His first attempt at the fours is good for a level game.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Newcastle

The noise in this place as Clayton hit each of those treble 20s was deafening.

Six perfect darts, so close, and yet, so far.

That last leg sums up how chaotic Premier League Darts can be.

Jonny Clayton does not allow for a break this time around, clearing up 98 in two darts.

Jonny Clayton is not taking that loss lying down.

Clayton, against the throw, opens up with a 180 and fires in another maximum to give himself a chance at a nine-darter.

Dart seven only finds a single 20 and an eager Newcastle crowd quickly simmers.

Meanwhile, Rock gets a chance at 170. Treble 20 and treble 20 are spot on, but dart three is comfortably wide of the bull.

Clayton pins double eight for 1-1.

The first couple of visits from both men are nervy, but an early 180 from Jonny Clayton soon opens up this first leg.

Clayton gets six darts at 104 for a hold of throw and the first three, leave 50.

Clayton sets up with an 18 but misses doubles 16 and eight.

Rock gets a go at 82 and after a missed first dart at bull, treble 19 and double 12 see him break throw. Precision.