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It is a tradition that immediately after the final of the Darts World Championship, the starting signal for the arrow throwing event, which is the second most important from a financial point of view, is given.

Following the interview with the new champion, the organization will announce who will be among the exclusive circle of Premier League players in the new year.

So this time too.

In 2006 the invitation tournament was played in league format with final play-offs, and ten professionals have been taking part in the event since 2013.

Since four starting positions are reserved for the top 4 in the world rankings, the organizing Professional Darts Corporation and the broadcasting broadcaster Sky still have six options.

The field of potential candidates was bigger than ever this year.

Most recently, the World Cup had once again documented the extent to which the world leaders in darts have currently assumed.

And so there was a surprising, but almost logical decision in the nomination.

Seven players fight for a place

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Since the first of the 16 game days will not be played as planned on February 4, but only at Easter due to the corona pandemic, PDC and Sky only announced five more starters: defending champion Glen Durrant, last year's finalist Nathan Aspinall, World Cup finalist Gary Anderson and two debutants: the Belgian World Matchplay Champion Dimitri van den Bergh, and Jose de Sousa from Portugal, who won the Grand Slam of Darts.

"The selection for the Premier League is more difficult than ever"

YouTuber Marcel Scorpion is striving for a professional career himself, is at least one time celebrity darts world champion and looks to the World Cup final between Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson.

Finally, host Lutz Wöckener and his guest nominate the six players for the Premier League.

With at least two big surprises.

Source: WELT / DAZN

Together with the seeded Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Rob Cross, there are now nine participants.

The tenth should only be named after the Masters, the tournament of the 16 best ranked players.

The most promising candidates are Daryl Gurney, Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall and James Wade.

With a successful performance, Ian White, Joe Cullen and Krzysztof Ratajski could theoretically also play their way into the circle.

One more hope: Dave Chisnall, who threw Michael van Gerwen out of the tournament at the World Cup

Source: Getty Images / Luke Walker

In addition to prestige, the league is of particular interest to the players from a financial point of view.

Last year, £ 825,000 was distributed.

Glen Durrant alone received £ 275,000 as first in the preliminary round and eventual winner.