Darts Enthusiasts Divided on Premier League Format Changes
The PDC’s decision to persist with the updated format of the Premier League Darts, which features quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final each night, has sparked an ongoing debate among darts enthusiasts. Wayne Mardle, a former Premier League Darts player, recently shared his mixed opinions on the format changes in a video posted by MDA Events.
“It’s a tough one. It has had four, five, maybe even six different kind of iterations,” Mardle, also known as “Hawaii 501,” commented. The format has evolved from seven players to eight, with changes to the draw system and the number of legs required to win.
The PDC maintains that the current format provides the best possible experience for fans in attendance, allowing them to see their favorite players compete multiple times throughout the evening and encouraging them to stay until the end to witness the weekly winner being crowned. However, some have argued that repeatedly seeing the same matchups can become tedious.
Mardle proposes a format change that would revert to a league phase, where players compete once per night in a best-of-11 format.
“The format for me, works for eight players. But I’d still like it to go back to a league phase, as in just play once, five games on a night. You could make it 10 players, or now you could actually make it 12. You could have six games, best of 11. That would fit well,” he suggests.
The 2024 edition of the Premier League Darts saw Luke Littler not only top the table on debut but also claim a maiden PDC major title, avenging his World Darts Championship final defeat and hitting a stunning nine-darter in the process.
As the debate over the Premier League Darts format continues, darts enthusiasts eagerly await the next developments in the sport’s ever-evolving landscape.
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