MICHAEL VAN GERWEN will clash with Robert Thornton as the Unibet Champions League of Darts begins on Saturday September 24, while Phil Taylor faces Peter Wright on the opening afternoon of the BBC-televised event.
The world's top eight stars will contest the inaugural Unibet Champions League of Darts on September 24-25 at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena.
The eight have been split into two groups of four for the opening three sessions, with the top two players from each group following the round-robin phase then progressing to the semi-finals and final.
The opening session in the afternoon of Saturday September 24 will include the high-profile meeting between world number one van Gerwen and reigning World Grand Prix champion Thornton.
The Scot defeated van Gerwen in the final of last year's World Grand Prix with a thrilling 5-4 Sets victory, with both aiming to begin the group stage in Cardiff with a win later this month.
That clash in Dublin was van Gerwen's last defeat in a major ranking final, with the Dutchman having since won the European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals, UK Open and World Matchplay as well as the 2016 Premier League and two World Series events.
"I can't complain with how everything is going at the moment - I'm playing well and enjoying what I do, and I think that's really important," said van Gerwen.
"To be back on the BBC is phenomenal for every one of us. You want to perform, and I think with the groups makes it good for the people at home because it's going to be quick games."
Legendary 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor will meet Peter Wright, the former World Championship finalist, in the other Group A contest on the opening afternoon.
World Champion Gary Anderson takes on former World Youth Champion Michael Smith in their Group B opener to commence the tournament, with two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis then playuing multiple major winner James Wade.
Saturday's evening session will then see the winning players in each group face off as the losing players also meet, before the final group games are played on Sunday afternoon.
The top two players in each group will then progress to play in the semi-finals and final on Sunday evening.
Tickets, starting from just £15, are still available for the Unibet Champions League of Darts.
To purchase call the Motorpoint Arena Box Office on 02920 22 44 88 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
Unibet Champions League of Darts
Saturday September 24
Afternoon Session
First Group Matches
Gary Anderson v Michael Smith (B)
Adrian Lewis v James Wade (B)
Phil Taylor v Peter Wright (A)
Michael van Gerwen v Robert Thornton (A)
Live on BBC1 from 1.15pm
Tickets: £30/£25/£15 - click here to buy tickets
* NB: Order of play above amended on September 9 following consultation with the BBC.
Evening Session
Second Group Matches
Afternoon session's Winners play each other, and Losers play each other.
Live on BBC2 from 6.30pm
Tickets: £35/£30/£20 - click here to buy tickets
Sunday September 25
Afternoon Session
Final Group Matches
Live on BBC2 from 1pm
Tickets: £30/£25/£15 - click here to buy tickets
Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Final
Live on BBC2 from 6.30pm
Tickets: £35/£30/£20 - click here to buy tickets
Format:
Group Matches - Best of 19 legs
Semi-Finals & Final - Best of 21 legs