SMITH MAKES DEBUT IN 2016 BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE
MICHAEL SMITH will make his Betway Premier League debut in 2016 and Robert Thornton returns to the ten-player field for the biggest-ever season in the tournament's history.
Former World Youth Champion Smith sees his rise to eighth in the world rankings, alongside his runs to the Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals and World Championship quarter-finals, rewarded with a coveted place in the £700,000 event.
Reigning champion Gary Anderson, who defeated Michael van Gerwen in the 2015 final at The O2 in London, will join his Dutch rival, Adrian Lewis and six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor as the four automatic selections for the event.
The ever-popular Raymond van Barneveld, the 2014 Premier League champion and a World Championship semi-finalist this week, is joined by 2015 Premier League semi-finalist Dave Chisnall as Sky Sports Wildcard selections.
Robert Thornton's victory in the World Grand Prix last October sees him return to the Premier League, having previously competed in the tournament in 2013 and 2014.
Former Premier League champion James Wade and flamboyant former World Championship and UK Open finalist Peter Wright complete the ten-player field, with the season set to begin on Thursday February 4 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Play continues across the opening nine weeks before the bottom two players are eliminated following Week Nine's Judgement Night.
The remaining eight players face off once more in the battle for Play-Off places, with Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena set to stage a league night for the first time before the semi-finals and final take place at The O2 in London on Thursday May 19.
Tickets are available via the venue box offices as listed below or via www.pdc.tv/tickets, although some venues have already Sold Out.
2016 Betway Premier League
PDC Order of Merit Top Four
Michael van Gerwen - 2013 Premier League champion
Gary Anderson - 2011 & 2015 Premier League champion
Adrian Lewis - 2011 Premier League finalist
Phil Taylor - Six-time Premier League champion
Wildcard Selections
Peter Wright - 2015 UK Open finalist
James Wade - 2009 Premier League champion
Robert Thornton - 2015 World Grand Prix champion
Michael Smith - Premier League debutant, former World Youth Champion
Raymond van Barneveld - 2014 Premier League champion
Dave Chisnall - 2015 Premier League semi-finalist
Tournament Winner Odds - Courtesy Betway
5/4 Michael van Gerwen
11/2 Phil Taylor
4/1 Gary Anderson
10/1 Adrian Lewis
20/1 Peter Wright, James Wade
25/1 Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall
33/1 Raymond van Barneveld
66/1 Robert Thornton
Night One, Thursday February 4
First Direct Arena, Leeds
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 248 1585
Online via www.eventim.co.uk
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night Two, Thursday February 11
Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 493 6666
Online via www.eventim.co.uk
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night Three, Thursday February 18 - LIMITED EXTRA TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
3Arena, Dublin
Tickets:
Telephone (Republic of Ireland) 0818 719 300
Telephone (Northern Ireland) 0870 243 4455
Telephone (International) 00353 1 4858010
Online via www.ticketmaster.ie
Tickets on sale 9am BST on Monday October 5
Night Four, Thursday February 25 - LIMITED EXTRA TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen
Tickets:
Telephone 08444 77 9000
Online via www.ticketmaster.co.uk/aecc
Night Five, Thursday March 3 - LIMITED EXTRA TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Tickets:
Telephone 08444 99 99 55
Online via www.ticketzone.co.uk
Night Six, Thursday March 10
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Tickets:
Telephone 0843 373 3000
Online via www.motorpointarenanottingham.com
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night Seven, Thursday March 17
The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 395 4000
Online via www.thessehydro.com
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night Eight, Thursday March 24
Echo Arena, Liverpool
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 8000 400
Online via www.echoarena.com
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Judgement Night, Thursday March 31
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Tickets:
Telephone 02920 224488
Online via www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night Ten, Thursday April 7
Sheffield Arena
Tickets:
Telephone 0114 256 5656
Online via www.sheffieldarena.co.uk
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night 11, Thursday April 14 - LIMITED EXTRA TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
The SSE Arena, Belfast
Tickets:
Telephone 028 9073 9074
Online via www.ssearenabelfast.com
Night 12, Thursday April 21 - LIMITED EXTRA TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Bournemouth International Centre
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 576 3000
Online via www.bhlivetickets.co.uk
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night 13, Thursday April 28
The Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 338 8000
Online via www.theticketfactory.com
Tickets on sale 9am BST on Monday October 5
Night 14, Thursday May 5
The Manchester Arena
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 847 8000
Online via www.eventim.co.uk
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League
Night 15, Thursday May 12 - LIMITED EXTRA TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
The Ahoy Arena, Rotterdam
Tickets:
Telephone (Netherlands) 0900 300 1250 (€0.60 per minute)
Telephone (Outside Netherlands) 0031 88 123 24 25
Online via www.ticketmaster.nl
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League (iDEAL payment method accepted at this link)
Play-Offs, Thursday May 19
The O2, London
Tickets:
Telephone 0844 856 0202
Online via www.axs.com
viagogo - official ticket exchange partner - click here to see available tickets through viagogo , the official ticket exchange of the Betway Premier League