Chris Dobey is hoping to cap off a memorable few weeks for the city of Newcastle when he makes his return to home soil on Night Eight of the BetMGM Premier League on Thursday.
Bedlington star Dobey will take centre stage when the darting roadshow rolls into the North East, ahead of what promises to be a memorable night at the Utilita Arena.
Dobey’s beloved Newcastle United ended their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy less than a fortnight ago, defeating league leaders Liverpool 2-1 in a thrilling Carabao Cup final.
The 2023 Masters Champion was in attendance on that magical day at Wembley, and he’s hoping to emulate the success of his footballing counterparts when he takes on world number one Luke Humphries in his quarter-final opener.
Humphries has won both of their meetings in this year’s event, although he has suffered three straight quarter-final exits against Rob Cross, Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen respectively.
Dobey, meanwhile, halted a run of six consecutive defeats with victory over Stephen Bunting in Cardiff, and he is relishing the opportunity to perform in front of his adoring home crowd on Thursday.
"It's good to be home and it's a big night ahead of me - but I'm excited," declared hometown hero Dobey.
"Being there to witness Newcastle win a trophy at Wembley was up there with one of the best feelings I've ever experienced, and the celebrations will be going on for weeks!
"I'm sure the crowd will be up for it tomorrow night, and the atmosphere should be something else.
"It's always going to be tough against Luke but there's no better place to change things than a homecoming, and I believe my game is there or thereabouts."
Reigning champion Littler will kick off the evening’s action in Newcastle, as he bids to extend his six-point lead at the top of the table.
The World Champion celebrated his third nightly win of the season in Cardiff, landing a nine-dart finish and averaging 112 to deny Van Gerwen in the Welsh capital.
Littler will take on Bunting for a place in the semi-finals, having also averaged 112 against the Liverpudlian when the pair last met on Night Four in Exeter.
While Bunting is chasing his first points of the season, Littler is on course to break the record points tally of 40 points in a league campaign, having already amassed 21 across the opening seven nights.
“I just want to get to The O2 as quickly as possible, and I have put myself in a really good position,” admitted Littler, who boasts an incredible tournament average of 104.37.
“I said last year I didn’t care about finishing top, but as I am there now I may as well stay here!
“The nine-darter was an amazing moment last week, but then it was all about staying focused and getting over the line.
“There are still nine weeks to go and every player is capable of picking up nightly wins, but it would be great to beat the record points and break records for myself.”
Littler defeated Van Gerwen to triumph on Night Seven, and the Dutch superstar will play a revitalised Nathan Aspinall in his quarter-final showdown on Tyneside.
Van Gerwen has been the epitome of consistency in this year’s competition, winning six of his seven quarter-finals and progressing to his first nightly final of the campaign in Cardiff.
However, Aspinall is riding high after winning his maiden European Tour title in Gottingen last weekend, and the Stockport star is hoping to transfer that form to the Premier League stage and reignite his Play-Off ambitions.
“That was a big win for me. It was what I needed,” insisted the 2020 Premier League runner-up.
“Because of the situation I’ve been in over the last few years with the injuries and the dartitis, it was probably my proudest moment.
This will help me believe in myself and it shows I’m still good enough to compete against the top boys, so roll on Thursday against Michael.”
The evening’s other quarter-final encounter will see Cross and Gerwyn Price go head-to-head, in a repeat of their quarter-final clash in Cardiff.
Cross produced a spectacular 170 checkout in a deciding leg to stun Price on home soil, although the Welshman still boasts a two-point lead over Cross following his nightly wins in Dublin and Nottingham.
The 2025 Premier League sees eight of the sport’s biggest names contesting 16 mini-events during the season, with each league night comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final over the best of 11 legs.
Ranking points will be awarded per night - with five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists - to form the league table from which the top four players will progress to the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on Thursday May 29.
The 2025 BetMGM Premier League will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
2025 BetMGM Premier League
Night Eight - Thursday March 27
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross
Luke Humphries v Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall
Semi-Finals
Littler/Bunting v Price/Cross
Humphries/Dobey v Van Gerwen/Aspinall
Final
v
All matches best of 11 legs
