Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen will battle it out for BetMGM Premier League Play-Off qualification on the final night of league action in Sheffield on Thursday.
The final night of the 2025 league phase will take place at the Utilita Arena on May 22, as Aspinall and Van Gerwen bid to join Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price in the season-ending Play-Offs.
Aspinall defeated Van Gerwen on his way to claiming a crucial nightly victory in Aberdeen last Thursday, which saw him establish a four-point lead over the Dutch superstar heading into Night 16.
The pair will renew their rivalry in the evening’s second quarter-final in Sheffield, and Aspinall knows that a win would confirm his place at The O2 in London on Thursday May 29.
The Stockport star has finished fifth in each of the last two seasons – missing out on Play-Off qualification on the final night of league phase action on both occasions.
However, Aspinall has won four of his five meetings with Van Gerwen in this year’s Premier League, and if he makes it five from six, he will be assured of his Play-Off place.
“There is still pressure on my shoulders, but there’s even more pressure on Michael,” claimed Aspinall, who also prevailed on Night Ten in Manchester last month.
"The job is not done yet and I alluded to that last Thursday. Everybody knows what is at stake and what I need to do.
“I’ve got a few dreams in life – I want to be World Champion, I want to play for England, and I want to play at The O2.
“I’ve got an opportunity to achieve one of these dreams on Thursday night, but I’ve got to finish the job off now.”
Van Gerwen has only failed to qualify for the Play-Offs once in his previous 12 Premier League appearances, although he faces an uphill task to secure a top four berth this time around.
The seven-time champion must clinch his first nightly win of the season to overhaul Aspinall, having suffered back-to-back quarter-final defeats over the last fortnight.
Van Gerwen is without a nightly victory in the Premier League since April 2024, when he defeated Aspinall, Michael Smith and Littler to triumph in Birmingham.
Nevertheless, the three-time World Champion is aiming to draw upon his extensive experience as he sets his sights on success in the Steel City.
"I hope I can use that [experience], because I think I'm going to need it," quipped Van Gerwen - the most successful player in BetMGM Premier League history.
"Of course it's going to be a massive night for me, and I can't afford to fail again, or I will be out of the tournament.
"This is probably one of the hardest Premier League's I have ever played in - not in terms of players, but in terms of myself.
"It has been a real battle, but I've had a good combination of rest and practice over the last few days to make sure I'm ready to do what I need to do tomorrow.
"It is so important to keep believing in yourself, and that is what I'm still doing!"
Reigning champion Littler will also headline Night 16 in Sheffield, as the World Champion bids to create another slice of Premier League history when he plays Stephen Bunting.
Littler confirmed top spot for a second consecutive year with a run to the semi-finals in Aberdeen last Thursday, averaging 116 to win through an incredible contest against Humphries.
The World Champion has already equalled his 40-point haul from 2024, and victory over Bunting would see the teenager register a new record points tally.
Humphries, meanwhile, will finish the league phase in second position, and the world number one will open his Night 16 challenge against Rob Cross.
Cross is the only player in this year’s roadshow yet to feature in a nightly final, while Humphries has secured a hat-trick of nightly titles in Belfast, Exeter and Leeds respectively.
Price and Chris Dobey will also collide in South Yorkshire, with Price aiming to confirm a third-place finish.
The Welshman – the Premier League runner-up in 2023 – has enjoyed a welcome return to form over recent months, prevailing in Dublin, Nottingham and Liverpool to seal his second Play-Off appearance.
Price has won each of their last three meetings, although Dobey – who currently occupies sixth position in the table – came out on top when they head-to-head in the opening match of the tournament back in February.
The 2025 BetMGM Premier League will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
2025 BetMGM Premier League
Night 16 - Thursday May 22
Utilita Arena, Sheffield
Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting
Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries v Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey
Semi-Finals
Littler/Bunting v Aspinall/Van Gerwen
Humphries/Cross v Price/Dobey
Final
v
All matches best of 11 legs
