Premier League player ratings: Luke Littler scores lowest but 9/10 steals show in week one | Other | Sport

Luke Littler was defeated in his first match of the 2026 Premier League, on a night where Michael van Gerwen won his first night since the 2024 edition. The three-time world champion defeated countryman Gian van Veen in the final, during what was the 23-year-old’s debut in the Premier League. 

Eyebrows were raised early doors when Littler – just over a month since being crowned world champion – was defeated by Gian van Veen, who laid down a marker during his first-ever Premier League appearance. Stephen Bunting’s dismal form on the big stage continued, as he was beaten by Van Gerwen, while Jonny Clayton averaged just under 110 during his win over debutant Josh Rock and Luke Humphries got the better of Gerwyn Price in an 11-leg thriller.

It turned out to be a night for the Dutchmen though, as both Van Veen and Van Gerwen won their semi-finals against Clayton and Humphries, respectively, to set up a mouthwatering finale on night one. In the end, it was experience that came out on top, with Van Gerwen silencing his doubters on opening night. Express Sport hands out player ratings from week one of the Premier League.

Talk about a welcome to the big stage! The debutant averaged over a ton and scored two 180s, but he didn’t even get close to laying a glove on Clayton. It certainly wasn’t a poor showing from the World Cup winner, who lost 6-2 to the Welshman, but it did go to show the level Rock will have to reach if he wants to compete regularly in the Premier League.

Well, who saw this coming? By no means is losing to the World Championship runner-up something to be ashamed of, but Littler looked like a shell of his normal self on opening night. Very rarely do we see the world champion average under 100, yet that was the case in Newcastle. Littler did lose in week one last year, so maybe this will prove a good omen for the reigning champion.

Having raised eyebrows with his selection in this year’s competition, Gerwyn Price might’ve lost in his opening match, but he did at least rise to the occasion. The Welshman took his clash with Humphries to a last-leg decider, having missed just two attempts from seven at doubles throughout the match. In the end, the 2024 world champion was just too strong for Price. 

Having disappointed on his return to the Premier League last year, a limp opening night defeat is the last thing Stephen Bunting would’ve wanted. Having got off to a fast start, Bunting quickly squandered a 2-0 lead and didn’t win a leg from that point on, losing 6-2 to the Green Machine. A bitterly disappointing showing. 

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Came racing out of the blocks in his first Premier League campaign since 2023, but was unable to maintain the stamina against a classy Van Veen. The former Premier League champion failed to score when it mattered in the semi-final clash, and will no doubt be ruing a missed opportunity, given Littler went out so early. Still, a step in the right direction for Clayton upon his return. 

A nervy last leg in the decider against Price seemed to set the tone for his semi-final against Van Gerwen. A player he’s historically enjoyed head-to-head matches against, Humphries was unable to click into gear and saw his throw broke twice during a disappointing 6-2 defeat. He’ll have to step it up a level if he wants to reclaim the Premier League crown. 

Watch out Littler, there’s a new kid on the block. Ironically, Van Veen will know he wasn’t playing at his blistering best, but that goes to show just how impressive the youngster can be. As far as maiden outings go, it was close to perfect, but a little bit of inexperience in the final appeared to cost Van Veen the dream debut. 

Michael van Gerwen – 9/10

More fool the one who writes the Mighty Mike off! Having laughed off suggestions about his time at the top coming to an end, Van Gerwen achieved something he wasn’t able to in the entirety of the 2025 Premier League by winning one of the regular-season nights.