The PDC has confirmed the return of the ANZ Premier League in 2026, featuring a six-night tour across Australia and New Zealand. The highlight of the launch is clear: Simon Whitlock, the defending champion, is already being touted as one of the major headliners for this new edition.
What the PDC has confirmed for the 2026 edition
In its announcement published on 8 June, the PDC confirmed a format centred on six events, with the final scheduled for Brisbane on 31 October.
Night 1: Canberra, 26 September
Night 2: Adelaide, 3 October
Night 3: Melbourne, 10 October
Night 4: Auckland, 16 October
Night 5: Newcastle, 24 October
Finals Night: Brisbane, 31 October
The line-up will feature eight players from Australia and New Zealand. The winner of the Trans-Tasman Championship will qualify, as will the top four non-qualifiers from the Australian Darts Association’s final rankings and the top two non-qualifiers from DartPlayers New Zealand’s final rankings. After the first five nights, the top four in the overall standings will progress to Finals Night.
The stakes remain high: $30,000 for the winner, a place at the 2026/27 World Darts Championship and a ticket to the Grand Slam of Darts in November.
Why Simon Whitlock is already at the centre of the launch
The PDC’s marketing campaign clearly relies on Simon Whitlock’s star power. The Australian is presented as the defending champion aiming for a home double, which immediately provides a backbone to the storytelling for this 2026 edition.
A few days earlier, the PDC had already highlighted him in its presentation of the return of the World Series of Darts to Oceania in August. Whitlock was announced as one of the main headliners for the double-header in Auckland and Wollongong, with his status as ANZ Premier League champion as a backdrop. In other words, the PDC is already linking its key events in Oceania around a single figure.
A strong signal for the Oceania scene
Beyond the Whitlock case, the return of the ANZ Premier League confirms that the PDC wants to continue building its presence in Oceania. The broadcast is set to air in Australia on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, in New Zealand via Sky, and internationally on PDCTV. For the local scene, this offers real exposure, dates spread across several cities and a genuine bridge to Alexandra Palace.
While the inaugural edition validated the concept’s potential, the 2026 edition aims above all to establish a lasting fixture. And to launch this second campaign, the PDC has chosen its strongest narrative anchor: Simon Whitlock.
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