Michael van Gerwen is not worried about his place in the 2027 Premier League Darts. The Dutchman has slipped to thirteenth in the world rankings, so he is not guaranteed a place automatically. However, he says he will be back next year.

In recent weeks, debate has grown over Van Gerwen’s future in the Premier League Darts. The 37-year-old from Brabant is enduring a difficult season and fell to thirteenth in the world rankings after an early exit at the European Championship. The three-time world champion has not been ranked this low for 14 years.

That drop could affect his place in the Premier League. Only the four highest-ranked players in the world rankings are guaranteed invitations. The PDC awards the remaining four places as wildcards.

Van Gerwen, though, appears to have little reason to worry about his future in the prestigious competition. During a Twitch livestream, a viewer asked which players would take part in next year’s Premier League. He did not reveal the full line-up, but made his own position clear.

"I know I will be in the Premier League, that’s one thing for sure,” Van Gerwen said. His comments suggest his place is already assured, although the PDC has yet to announce its official selection for 2027.

Record holder faces a difficult season

Van Gerwen has competed in the Premier League every year since making his debut in 2013. He has since become the most successful player in the tournament’s history. His seven titles are one more than Phil Taylor’s six.

Despite his remarkable record, Van Gerwen’s results have been disappointing in recent years. Another setback came at the European Championship in Dortmund last weekend, where he lost 6–3 to compatriot Kevin Doets in the first round.

The former world number one has won 48 major PDC titles during his career, but is now approaching four years without a ranking major. His last victory in such an event came in November 2022, when he won the Players Championship Finals.

Van Gerwen still has major ambitions, however. In a recent interview with Sportnieuws.nl, he made clear that he does not want to end his career without winning another world title. “I want to become World Champion at least one more time. But when you look at what I have already achieved, I could only have dreamed of that,” he said.

MVG has no intention of simply looking back on past success. “But I don’t want to settle for that. If I start enjoying life again and become the best version of myself, I can still achieve many great things. I am absolutely convinced of that.”

The 2027 Premier League Darts begins in Glasgow on Thursday, 04-02-2027. After 16 nights of action, the competition concludes with the play-offs at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday, 27-05-2027. If Van Gerwen’s comments prove accurate, he will ‘simply’ begin his 15th consecutive Premier League season next year.