The PDC has confirmed that Michael van Gerwen has officially withdrawn from Night Three of the 2026 Premier League Darts in Glasgow due to illness. The seven-time Premier League champion, who won Night One in Newcastle and finished runner-up to Gerwyn Price in Antwerp, will miss Thursday night's action at the OVO Hydro.
Under tournament rules, Van Gerwen's scheduled quarter-final opponent, Luke Littler, receives a bye through to the semi-finals. Littler is awarded two league points and a +1 leg difference, while Van Gerwen receives no points and a -6 leg difference.
Van Gerwen's withdrawal interrupts his early-season momentum after a sharp start, with the Dutchman having claimed maximum points on Night One and another final appearance on Night Two. The six-leg swing in leg difference could prove significant in the Premier League's unforgiving weekly format, especially with rivals like Littler, Price, and Luke Humphries in the mix.
With Van Gerwen absent, the Glasgow bracket adjusts: the quarter-finals feature Stephen Bunting vs. Gian van Veen, Luke Humphries vs. Josh Rock, and Jonny Clayton vs. Gerwyn Price, while Littler gets a bye. The semi-finals will pit the winner of Bunting or Van Veen against Humphries or Rock, and Littler against Clayton or Price. All matches are best of 11 legs, giving Littler a rest advantage as he enters the semi-finals fresh.
