Dave Chisnall has questioned the inclusion of Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price in this year's BetMGM Premier League field, suggesting selection should be “about darts, not your walk”.
After Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker hit out at his absence from the tournament – a decision the Belgian called “a bit scandalous” – world No 6 Chisnell waded into the debate over the eight-man line-up revealed for the 17-date roadshow, which starts in Belfast on Thursday 6 February live Sky Sports.
Although he himself was ranked higher than three of the four wildcard picks – Price, Chris Dobey and Aspinall – 'Chizzy' said he had no regrets about his own omission, but admitted he felt for De Decker and world number eight Damon Hetty .
“The Premier League line-up wasn't surprising this week, but you'd have to be gutted if you were someone like Mike de Decker or Damon Heta,” Chisnall said quiff.
“I never expected to get a phone call – despite being world number six – about how bad I've been on TV this year, but Mike may feel let down after his great run at the Grand Prix. Maybe the 24th world got in the way, but these young guys are pushing to be given their chance to shine.
“Damo is another who I think can feel unlucky, while it's good to see Chris Dobey and Steven Bunting rewarded with a place. It seems like something of a changing of the guard without Michael Smith and Peter Wright, while Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn In my opinion, Price can both feel a little lucky to be involved this year.”
Explaining why he felt Aspinall and Price were happy to be called up, Chisnall added: “Gezzi had a lot (to) fight in 2024, while Nathan did the same.
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It was Gerwyn Price against the crowd as Chris Dobey missed five match darts
“His run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup probably involved him, that and everyone who loves him Mr. Brightside theme song.
“It's a great entrance but it should be about the darts and not your walk that gets you into these big competitions. Nothing against them personally as they're both great guys getting on well but it should be about your actions at darts, not at song and dance.”
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Aspinall blew the roof off Alexandra Palace as his performance brought the crowd to their feet for his match against Andrew Gilding at the World Darts Championship
The head of the PDC explains the reasons for choosing the wildcards
While the top four in the PDC Order of Merit – this year's world No.1 Luke Humphries, world champion Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross – automatically qualify for the prestigious weekly roadshow, the remaining four players are selected by the PDC.
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Stephen Bunting has earned one of four wildcard spots to join world champion and reigning Premier League champion Luke Littler in a star-studded field
Explaining this year's wildcard selections, PDC chief executive Matt Porter said Sky Sports News: “Obviously with Price, Dobey and Aspinall, there are players above them in the rankings who haven't been selected, but we've looked at it in terms of big stage presence, popularity and how they can get 10,000 viewers every Thursday.
“We want people on the edge of their seats. We want people to be and enjoy their darts.
“That doesn't mean other players can't do it. You have to make decisions about who's right at the time.”
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PDC chief executive Matthew Porter and Sky Sports' Mark Webster looked at the Premier League darts line-up for 2025 and urged players to step up and keep their places for next year
And on De Decker, especially after the Belgian became the first reigning Grand Prix champion to miss out on selection, Porter added: “Mike is an outstanding talent and someone we will undoubtedly see in the Premier League in the future.
“We didn't think he was quite ready. There's a lot of tournaments and winning one… players in the past like Ross Smith, Danny Noppert and Andrew Gilding have won TV tournaments, but you have to show you can compete regularly in the later stages of tournaments.
“To do it once is fantastic and something you'll always have, but to really be part of the elite you have to do it regularly over many years.”
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Highlights of Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen in the World Darts Championship Final
BetMGM Premier League 2025 Schedule
- Night 1 – SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday 6th February
- Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday 13 February
- Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday 20 February
- Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday 27 February
- Night 5 – Brighton Center – Thursday 6 March
- Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday 13 March
- Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday 20 March
- Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday 27 March
- Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday, April 3
- Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday 10 April
- Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday, April 17
- Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday 24th April
- Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday 1 May
- Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday 8 May
- Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday 15 May
- Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday 22.05
- playoffs – O2, London – Thursday 29 May
Watch Premier League Darts on Sky Sports
See all the action from Premier League he Sky Sports with Luke Littler wants to defend his title. The new Premier League season kicks off in Belfast on Thursday 6 February as darts' biggest party returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues across the UK and Europe.
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