SportsCasinoLive Casino
Three darts players, including BetMGM Premier League Darts logo, with a dartboard in the background.

HUMPHRIES STARS IN 24/5 BETMGM PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS NIGHT 1 ACCA

The greatest show in darts is back.

The 2026 BetMGM Premier League campaign gets underway in Newcastle as defending champion Luke Humphries looks to fight off double world champion Luke Littler, seven-time winner Michael van Gerwen and former world titlist Gerwyn Price.

Stephen Bunting returns to the fold for a second successive campaign while 2021 Premier League winner Jonny Clayton is back for the first time since 2023 alongside and there are debuts for World Cup winner Josh Rock and 2026 World Championship finalist Gian Van Veen.

BetMGM has you covered all season long with our Premier League Darts Hub, which includes exclusive content, expert tips, the latest promotions and more.

As eight of the world’s best throwers take to the stage and battle it out for glory over 17 showstopping nights, enjoy our analysis and Bet Builder tips below.

BetMGM Premier League Darts Tips: 24/5 Night 1 Acca

  • Clayton to beat Rock (+1.5-leg handicap)
  • Over 7.5 180s in Littler vs Van Veen
  • Humphries to beat Price

Leg 1 – Jonny Clayton to beat Josh Rock (+1.5-leg handicap) @ 4/6

Former BetMGM Premier League champion Jonny Clayton is back – and he can start with a bang here.

Debutant Josh Rock is his opponent in the first match of this year’s tournament and, while the Northern Irishman is more than capable of some explosive darts, it could be a rude awakening at the Utilita Arena.

He lost the last meeting 6-2 on the European Tour and, while he does have the head-to-head edge with six wins to five, we’re backing Clayton to level that up here with the aid of a 1.5-leg head start.

Rocky had won the previous four meetings prior to that European Tour clash but two of them were Players Championship events, and were close. He also hasn’t shown quite his best form in the most recent two majors – exiting both the World Championship and the Masters with 4-0 whitewashes at the hands of Justin Hood and Luke Littler respectively.

The Ferret lost 6-1 on his last visit to Newcastle in the 2023 Premier League – to compatriot Gerwyn Price – and will be keen to exorcise that particular demon and get off to a strong start this year.

Rock is ahead on both average and 180s over the last 12 months but, perhaps crucially for the Premier League’s short format, Clayton’s 42.45% checkout success is several points higher than his opponent.

The World Cup winner will be up for it in his first-ever BetMGM Premier League match but we’re backing experience to get the job done.

Clayton to win with a +1.5-leg handicap makes for a solid first pick on our Night 1 acca at 4/6.

Leg 2 – Over 7.5 180s in Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen @ 21/20

In a repeat of the 2026 World Championship final, Littler takes on Van Veen for the second time since his dominant 7-1 win at Ally Pally.

A 6-4 win for the Nuke at the Saudi Darts Masters was his third in a row against Van Veen, who lost 5-0 to Luke Humphries in the semi-finals of the Masters on Sunday.

A standout stat for this pair is their penchant for 180s – especially Littler.

They threw 11 between them in the clash in Saudi Arabia while, over the last 12 months, Littler has hit an astonishing 945 with the Giant a commendable 652.

Over the past 12 months, there have been 71 maximums in seven games between these two.

The Nuke threw 169 180s in the 2025 regular season, while his tournament opener against Michael van Gerwen having 12 alone.

Odds of 21/20 for over 7.5 180s in this one is not only a smart play for the acca but is also good value as a lone pick when Littler and Van Veen renew their budding rivalry once more.

Leg 3 – Luke Humphries to beat Gerwyn Price @ 4/6

Luke Humphries is the defending champion for a reason.

The now world number two is coming back into form. Exiting in the quarter-finals of the Worlds to Van Veen was disappointing despite how impressive the Dutchman was, but his run to the final of the Masters saw him gain revenge on the Giant with a 5-0 thrashing.

Though he lost the final in a deciding leg to Littler, his performance was strong – he averaged over 105.

He is up against Gerwyn Price in his tournament opener here and the Welshman actually edged their head-to-heads last year in the Premier League 3-2. They are, though, his only wins in this competition over Cool Hand.

Early payout on 3 leg leads

Price also made the semis of the Masters but couldn’t take his chances to beat Littler. He hit just 10 of 29 doubles in his 5-4 loss and that inability to get the job finished could cost him again here.

The Iceman beat Humphries in the Saudi Darts Masters but Cool Hand in the Premier League is a different proposition. He won the opening night last year and was never outside the top two in the table, making eight finals and winning three nights.

He will start strong here again. Price has looked more like his old self of late but signs of frustration were there at Milton Keynes and Humphries is precisely the man to take advantage of that fragility.

The 4/6 for the Englishman to win completes the Night 1 treble and carries enhanced value with BetMGM paying out early when your player takes a three-leg lead, regardless of the final outcome of that match.

BETMGM’S 24/5 NIGHT 1 ACCA

  • Jonny Clayton to beat Josh Rock +1.5 legs
  • Over 7.5 180s in Luke Littler v Gian Van Veen
  • Luke Humphries to beat Gerwyn Price

Night 1 BetMGM Specials

Newcastle is set for Night 1 – and BetMGM has you well set for Night 1 specials too.

Littler was victorious in Newcastle last year, beating Humphries 6-1 in the final.

The world champion and world number one is 13/8 to win in the Toon again with Humphries, victorious on opening might last term, available at 5/1.

Price and Van Veen are both 7/1 to triumph on Tyneside, with Rock and 2024 winner here Van Gerwen 8/1. Outsiders Bunting and Clayton are 12/1 and 16/1 respectively.

Just as in 2025 BetMGM will once again reward any player who hits a nine-darter during this year’s BetMGM Premier League Darts season with a custom-made set of gold darts worth £30,000.

There were five perfect legs hit last year, with Price hitting two and Littler, Humphries and the outgoing Rob Cross getting one each – no competition has seen more nine-darters than the Premier League.

It took until Night 5 in 2025 for a perfect leg, with Humphries and Cross both landing, but if you fancy someone to get off to the most perfect of perfect starts, it is 7/1, for a nine-darter on Tyneside.

Van Veen has hit 19 100+ checkouts in his last 14 games and the debutant is a decent shout at 6/1 to have the night’s highest checkout or for his last-eight tie with Littler to have the highest checkout at 9/4.

You can also dive into a full range of specials, including total 180s, over/under legs, King of the Oche, as well as Bet Builders and live in-play betting throughout this year’s BetMGM Premier League.

Be sure to keep an eye on the BetMGM Premier League Darts Hub for all the latest insights as well as our social media channels as every dart is thrown throughout Night 1 and beyond.

2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts – it’s showtime!

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change

3Up Early Payout Terms & Conditions

Early payout on BetMGM Premier League Darts bets if your player goes three legs up available every Thursday between 05/02/26 09:00 - 21/05/26 18:59. Pre-match singles & multiples on outright match winners only. Cashed-out bets do not qualify. Not to be used with any other offer or enhanced / boosted markets. 18+. T&Cs & exclusions apply.

We're sorry!

Unfortunately, BetMGM isn't available in your country.