Michael van Gerwen has expressed frustration over a Premier League camera incident, admitting "in hindsight, I should have stopped the game myself." The Dutchman revealed that during a recent Premier League night, he noticed an issue with the overhead camera after his first throw, and on his second throw, "there was a big red dot." Van Gerwen said he reported it to the referee, but "nothing was done." The PDC later apologised, with Van Gerwen stating, "things like that shouldn't happen," and adding, "I was annoyed nothing was done."
Despite the annoyance, Van Gerwen reflected on his 2026 season so far as a "rollercoaster," highlighting that rediscovering his enjoyment for the game has been the biggest positive. He noted a strong start that included success on the World Series and a win on Night One of the Premier League, which was later halted by illness. "I'm playing well in some patches, but overall I'm enjoying myself, and I think that's the most important thing," he said. Van Gerwen believes he is playing better now than at the same stage last year and pointed to a standout display against Daryl Gurney on the Euro Tour as proof he can still reach the highest level.
Van Gerwen remains confident of securing a place at the Premier League Play-Offs at London's O2 Arena, stating, "It's definitely achievable." He acknowledged a loss to Stephen Bunting, but said Bunting "played a really good game" and that overall, "I didn't play bad—that's a good thing." While the Premier League is important, Van Gerwen is placing significant emphasis on the busy run of Euro Tour events, saying, "The Euro Tours are really important. There are loads coming up, and Pro Tours as well—that's where my focus is at the moment."
Looking at the wider picture, Van Gerwen believes darts is currently in the strongest position it has ever been, citing continued growth and expansion. He also addressed the pressures at the top, particularly in relation to rising star Luke Littler, saying, "High trees catch a lot of wind, simple as that. Luke Littler is a big tree, a very big tree, and you have to deal with it." With a packed schedule ahead, Van Gerwen is carefully managing his calendar, prioritizing key events while balancing family life. He revealed he is likely to skip long-haul World Series events, saying, "I don't think I'll go to Australia and New Zealand. It's more likely I'll have a holiday with my kids," and added that he will play the World Cup with Gian van Veen.
