Premier League Night Four: Bunting Breaks Through in Belfast
‘The Bullet Fires Back’ – Bunting Breaks Through in Belfast as Rock Lands Nine
A night of response, resilience and raw energy. Stephen Bunting arrived in Belfast without a win from the opening three weeks of the 2026 BetMGM Premier League. He left the SSE Arena with the nightly title, £10,000 bonus and his campaign firmly alive.
Across three matches, Bunting delivered some of his sharpest Premier League darts - defeating Luke Humphries, Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen to surge up the table. On a night packed with quality, it was Josh Rock who produced perfection on home soil, striking a nine-darter that lifted the roof in Belfast.
Bunting set the standard early. A 106.63 average - his best in the Premier League, underpinned a 6-4 quarter-final win over Humphries. Clinical on the outer ring at 75%, he controlled the key moments and dictated the pace.
The semi-final was even more emphatic.
Taking on league leader Clayton, Bunting produced a 6-0 whitewash, again averaging north of 106. The scoring was heavy, the doubling precise and the response immediate whenever pressure threatened. It was a statement performance.
By the time the final arrived, confidence was visible.
2026 BetMGM Premier League
Night Four – SSE Arena, Belfast
Thursday February 26
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Luke Littler
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Luke Humphries
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Gian van Veen 6-2 Josh Rock
Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 6-0 Jonny Clayton
Gian van Veen 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Van Veen continued his impressive debut campaign with another final appearance. He overcame home favourite Rock, despite a stunning nine-darter and then edged past Price in a deciding-leg semi-final, averaging over 105 and showing composure in the closing exchanges.
The Final
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Gian van Veen
Bunting made the sharper start, edging in front and capitalising on missed opportunities to establish a 4-1 advantage. Van Veen threatened to respond, but the momentum never fully shifted.
Scoring remained consistent. The finishing tightened as the line approached.
A composed 13-darter closed out a 6-2 victory securing Bunting’s first nightly win since April 2025 and moving him into fifth place in the standings.
Rock’s Perfect Moment
Although his night ended in the quarter-finals, Josh Rock produced the defining highlight.
Trailing 5-1 against Van Veen, the Northern Irishman fired in back-to-back 180s before pinning double 12 for a 141 finish and a nine-dart leg. The reaction inside the SSE Arena said everything.
It was the first nine-darter of the 2026 campaign and earned Rock a custom-made set of solid gold darts worth £30,000.
Even in defeat, it was a powerful reminder of the level he can produce and delivering it on home soil made the moment resonate far beyond the arena, with viewers watching around the world able to feel exactly what it meant to him.
League Picture
Van Veen reaches his third final in four nights and continues to collect valuable points. Clayton remains firmly in contention despite the semi-final defeat, while Bunting’s breakthrough win tightens the mid-table battle.
| NW | MW | L | +/- | Legs Won | LWAT | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonny Clayton | 1 | 6 | 3 | +12 | 45 | 19 |
| Gian van Veen | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 49 | 15 |
| Michael van Gerwen | 1 | 5 | 2 | +6 | 38 | 17 |
| Gerwyn Price | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 37 | 15 |
| Stephen Bunting | 1 | 3 | 3 | +3 | 27 | 5 |
| Luke Humphries | 0 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 28 | 9 |
| Luke Littler | 0 | 1 | 4 | -10 | 18 | 8 |
| Josh Rock | 0 | 0 | 4 | -16 | 8 | 3 |
Night Four belonged to Bunting and measured in approach, decisive in execution and relentless when the opportunity appeared.
Belfast also delivered a moment of perfection from Rock that will live long in the memory.
Night Three – Key Insights
180s: 36
Highest Average: 106.63 (Stephen Bunting)
Highest Checkout: 167 (Gian van Veen)
9 Darters: 1x Josh Rock
Night Five – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Thursday March 5
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Luke Humphries
Gian van Veen v Jonny Clayton
Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler v Josh Rock
The roadshow moves to Cardiff next.
Clayton and Price return to home turf. Bunting looks to build on momentum. Rock searches for his first points.
Four nights in, the margins are tightening and the standard continues to rise.
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