Unibet Premier League stars boosted by return of crowds

Unibet Premier League (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Darts stars have spoken of their excitement ahead of fans returning to Milton Keynes' Marshall Arena later this month for the final stages of the Unibet Premier League.

The Marshall Arena has hosted the entire Premier League season in 2021, with the annual roadshow event being staged across four blocks in April and May.

While the first three blocks of nights - including this week's treble-header - have been held behind closed doors, the final five nights from May 24-28 will be in front of a live crowd.

With tickets on general sale through SeeTickets from midday on Wednesday, top stars including five-time Premier League winner Michael van Gerwen have admitted their delight at seeing crowds returning for the first time in 2021.

"It's probably going to be a goosebumps moment," said Van Gerwen. "I've missed crowds probably more than anyone else because I love to perform in front of crowds.

"I miss them because that makes darts. I can't wait for them to be back. I know for a fact that I will be a stronger player when the crowd is there, and I have to show that."

2019 UK Open winner Nathan Aspinall will take on Van Gerwen on Monday May 24 in the first Premier League night for 14 months to welcome fans.

"I'm buzzing," said Aspinall, who has admitted to struggling during the absence of a live crowd. "We're doing our best on stage to entertain on telly but we miss the fans, they make darts.

"The first night fans are back, I've got Michael van Gerwen and he's exactly like me. I'm expecting fireworks that night and a great night of darts."

Wales' Jonny Clayton has won the World Cup of Darts and The Masters behind closed doors in the past six months, but is now targeting Premier League glory in front of fans on May 28.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the crowd," said Clayton. "It will be nice to have them back because the support is a massive part of the game.

"To get them back in to shout your name, or even to boo, I think they're going to make up for what we've lost. The banter in sport, you can't beat that."

Tickets for the Unibet Premier League are available now through SeeTickets.

The Unibet Premier League is broadcast through Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, RTL7 in the Netherlands, DAZN in various worldwide territories including Germany & America, as well as through the PDC's global broadcast partners and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers outside of the UK, Ireland & Netherlands.

2021 Unibet Premier League 
Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Night 11 - Thursday May 6
Nathan Aspinall v Dimitri Van den Bergh
James Wade v Jose de Sousa
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v Jonny Clayton
All games the best of 14 legs