Michael van Gerwen is currently in a dogfight to reach finals night in the Premier League Darts, but concerns are mounting that an imminent ranking drop could leave his place for the 2027 Premier League under threat. Sitting fourth, 'Mighty Mike' is two points clear of Gian van Veen and reigning champion Luke Humphries. Van Gerwen has failed to make finals night on only two occasions – 2021 and 2025 – and could now miss out for a second consecutive year.
Pundit Michael Bridge raised the alarm on the Love the Darts Podcast: “It’s unthinkable to have a Premier League without Michael van Gerwen, isn’t it? For me, it’s not just the thought of when we go to the Netherlands or Germany, people want him everywhere.” Bridge added that while van Gerwen still has an aura, the PDC may have to ponder his inclusion if his form remains poor and he slides down the Order of Merit.
Van Gerwen has already been overtaken as Dutch number one by Gian van Veen after van Veen’s run to the final of the PDC World Darts Championship. With a World Matchplay final to defend, van Gerwen could slip as low as world number 20 ahead of the 2026/27 World Championship. Former professional Mark Webster noted: “I think he’s provisionally, with all his money taken off — I know he’ll win money back — but down at sort of 18 or 19 in the world.” Webster stressed that defending prize money is van Gerwen’s bigger priority this year, but added that with just three weeks of league play left, van Gerwen can still reach the playoffs and “fancy himself against anyone in that final four.”
Van Gerwen began the Premier League by winning the first night before reaching the final, but a barren spell dragged him into a battle for the last qualification spots. He will be back in action against Luke Littler in the quarterfinals of night 14 in Leeds.
