NINE new names will replace the injured Gary Anderson in the opening nine nights of the 2019 Unibet Premier League.



Following former Premier League champion Anderson’s withdrawal due to a back injury, nine ‘contenders’ made up of stars of the future and local favourites will make their Premier League debuts on the biggest stage in darts.



Among the contenders are a trio of young players who impressed at Alexandra Palace in the 2018/19 World Darts Championship; semi-finalist Nathan Aspinall will star in Nottingham, quarter-finalist Luke Humphries will play in Exeter, while Chris Dobey will be the hometown hero in Newcastle on the opening night.



German superstar Max Hopp, who reached the semi-finals of the European Championship, will raise the roof in Berlin, Scottish fans’ favourite John Henderson will feature in Aberdeen and emerging Irish talent Steve Lennon will take to the stage in Dublin.



As five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld waves farewell to his Dutch army of fans on the second of two nights in Rotterdam, a new Dutch star will be born as World Matchplay semi-finalist Jeffrey de Zwaan plays in front of the sea of orange.



Three-time Lakeside Champion Glen Durrant, who recently won his PDC Tour Card at his first attempt, will make an appearance in Glasgow, while back-to-back World Youth Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh, who landed a nine-dart finish at the Grand Slam of Darts, will compete in Rotterdam’s opening night.

“First of all everyone at the PDC would like to wish Gary Anderson a speedy recovery back to full fitness as soon as possible,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.



“Gary’s withdrawal has opened up an incredibly exciting opportunity for the nine contenders to go out and show what they’ve got on some of the biggest stages in world darts.



“The young players who impressed at Alexandra Palace have already shown they can cut it in darts’ biggest ever tournament, while rising stars Max Hopp and Dimitri Van den Bergh have been shining lights in the growth of the sport in recent years.



“The local favourites have earned their chance to entertain the crowds and TV viewers, with every one of them will bringing something different to the Premier League party in 2019, and I’m sure they’ll cause a few shocks along the way.



“The PDC has always been about giving opportunities to players and we felt this was the perfect chance to do something revolutionary, as we now look forward to an exciting year of Premier League Darts ahead in 2019."

Points won by the nine contenders will not count towards the league table, however their opponents will retain any points gained from the matches.



Contenders will receive financial bonuses for winning or drawing their matches.



Following the opening nine nights of fixtures, the player placed ninth on the Premier League table following Judgement Night in Rotterdam will be eliminated from the competition, with the remaining eight players battling it out from nights ten to 16 in the race for the Play-Offs at The O2.

2019 Unibet Premier League Fixtures:

Night One - Thursday February 7

Utilita Arena, Newcastle

James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld

Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney

Chris Dobey v Mensur Suljovic

Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith

Peter Wright v Rob Cross

Tickets: 0844 493 6666 or click here

Night Two - Thursday February 14

The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Peter Wright v Michael Smith

Rob Cross v James Wade

Raymond van Barneveld v Gerwyn Price

Daryl Gurney v Glen Durrant

Mensur Suljovic v Michael van Gerwen

Tickets: 0844 395 4000 or click here

Night Three - Thursday February 21

3Arena, Dublin

Gerwyn Price v James Wade

Steve Lennon v Peter Wright

Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross

Michael Smith v Daryl Gurney

Mensur Suljovic v Raymond van Barneveld

Tickets: 0818 719 300 (Ire) or click here

Night Four - Thursday February 28

Westpoint Exeter

Luke Humphries v Gerwyn Price

Daryl Gurney v Rob Cross

Mensur Suljovic v Peter Wright

Michael van Gerwen v James Wade

Michael Smith v Raymond van Barneveld

Tickets: 08444 99 99 55 or click here

Night Five - Thursday March 7

The BHGE Arena, Aberdeen

Michael Smith v Rob Cross

Daryl Gurney v James Wade

Mensur Suljovic v Gerwyn Price

Raymond van Barneveld v Peter Wright

Michael van Gerwen v John Henderson

Tickets: 08444 77 9000 or click here

Night Six - Thursday March 14

Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

Nathan Aspinall v Michael Smith

James Wade v Mensur Suljovic

Rob Cross v Raymond van Barneveld

Gerwyn Price v Michael van Gerwen

Peter Wright v Daryl Gurney

Tickets: 0843 373 3000 or click here

Night Seven - Thursday March 21

Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin

Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross

James Wade v Peter Wright

Michael van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney

Michael Smith v Mensur Suljovic

Max Hopp v Raymond van Barneveld

Tickets: 030 20 60 70 88 99 (Ger) or click here

Night Eight - Wednesday March 27

Rotterdam Ahoy

Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith

James Wade v Dimitri Van den Bergh

Rob Cross v Mensur Suljovic

Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen

Raymond van Barneveld v Daryl Gurney

Tickets: 0900 300 1250 (Ned) 0031 88 123 24 25 (Outside Ned) or click here

Judgement Night - Thursday March 28

Rotterdam Ahoy

Daryl Gurney v Mensur Suljovic

Peter Wright v Gerwyn Price

Rob Cross v Jeffrey de Zwaan

Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen

James Wade v Michael Smith

Tickets: 0900 300 1250 (Ned) 0031 88 123 24 25 (Outside Ned) or click here

Fixtures for Nights Ten-16 will be confirmed following Judgement Night.

Night Ten - Thursday April 4

The SSE Arena, Belfast

Tickets: 028 9073 9074 or click here

Night 11 - Thursday April 11

M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Tickets: 0344 8000 400 or click here

Night 12 - Thursday April 18

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Tickets: 029 2022 4488 or click here

Night 13 - Thursday April 25

Arena Birmingham

Tickets: 0844 338 0338 or click here

Night 14 - Thursday May 2

The Manchester Arena

Tickets: 0844 249 1000 or click here

Night 15 - Thursday May 9

The FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield

Tickets: 0114 256 5656 or click here

Night 16 - Thursday May 16

First Direct Arena, Leeds

Tickets: 0844 248 1585 or click here

Play-Offs - Thursday May 23

The O2, London

Tickets: 0844 856 0202 or click here

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Ticket information & Terms & Conditions available at pdc.tv/tickets.