Video: Watch Russian President, Vladimir Putin, pin UFC champion Petr Yan
Watch Putin Honor UFC Champion Petr Yan with Medal
The 2026 Premier League Darts play-off race is intensifying, with players like Humphries, van Veen, and van Gerwen facing potential elimination. As the season nears its end, the competition for playoff spots becomes more critical.
Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen
2026 Premier League Darts play-off race scenarios: Humphries, van Veen and van Gerwen in danger originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As we approach the final stretch of the 2026 Premier League Darts season, the play-off race will continue to heat up in the final few weeks.
A couple of players have already nearly booked their ticket to The O2 Arena, while others have made it very hard for themselves to make play-off night.
We have a good idea of a handful of players who will make or miss out on play-off night, but the race for the last 1-2 spots could go to anyone in the mix.
Let's take a look at what four players have the best chance of making Night 17 in London.
MORE:2026 Premier League Darts schedule, scores, results and updated table
Play-off probability: 99%
While Clayton hasn't clinched a play-off spot just yet, it would take a real meltdown for him not to grab one.
He's one of the favorites to finish at the top of the table, and at worst, would finish in second place if Littler passes him in the points column.
The current standings indicate that several players are close to securing playoff spots, while others, including Humphries, van Veen, and van Gerwen, are in jeopardy.
In the Premier League Darts, the top four players at the end of the regular season qualify for the play-offs.
Their chances are affected by their performance in the remaining matches and the results of their competitors in the standings.
The 2026 Premier League Darts play-offs will take place at The O2 Arena, with the exact date to be confirmed as the season progresses.
Watch Putin Honor UFC Champion Petr Yan with Medal
Ravindra Jadeja's all-round performance leads Rajasthan Royals to victory!
Live updates and reactions for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh!
Rishabh Pant addresses Lucknow Super Giants' batting issues after 5th loss in IPL 2026.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Play-off probability: 90%
Littler has had his ups and downs this season, but with five nights left, he's 11 points clear of fifth place.
25 points seems to be around enough to get to The O2, so another 2-3 points should do the job to guarantee Littler a spot in the UK's capital.
Play-off probability: 75%
Price has been explosive at times in the PL this year and has been in form at Pro Tour events and majors.
Points-wise, he's six ahead of fifth place, so he still has some work to do before cruising to the finish line.
Play-off probability: 54%
MVG would be in the clear if the season ended today, but it doesn't, and he has a lot of work to do to book his ticket.
He had a rare absence from play-off night last year, and will have players like Humphries, van Veen and Bunting fighting with him for presumably the last play-off spot up for grabs.
Some quarterfinal consistency from MVG over the next month could be enough, but he might need to find around 10 points over the next five weeks to ensure he gets into the play-offs.
Play-off probability: 49%
Humphries has performed much better than MVG in events across the last 12 months, but MVG has had quality performances for patches across 2026.
Humphries himself is going to have to turn the tide soon and get several 2-3 point nights to have a shot at grabbing one of the last spots.
Play-off probability: 43%
Although Bunting is currently in 7th place, his form and momentum signify he has a better shot at making the play-off than van Veen.
Bunting faces a five point deficit entering Night 12, and despite being 7th on the table, he has the 5th-best leg difference in the PL in 2026.
Play-off probability: 40%
Van Veen hasn't been consistent since returning from his mid-season procedure, and will have to fight tooth and nail to make his first PL play-off night.
He's still within reach of a play-off spot, but he'll need some deep nightly runs to make up the four-point deficit he faces entering Night 12.
Play-off probability: 15%
Rock's PL debut hasn't gone to plan.
He's found some wins in recent weeks, but it might be too little too late.
He's eight points behind MVG for 4th place, so it will take a couple of runs to night finals for Rock to have any shot at making it to London.