LUKE 'The Nuke' Littler's defence of his BetMGM Premier League Darts crown will start in Belfast.

Scheduling of all the rounds has now been confirmed, with the action to commence on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

For Warrington 17-year-old Littler, the challenge will be coping with having a target on his back, fighting off the rivals who want to take his scalp as the reigning champion - a title he won so magnificently in his debut campaign.

Belfast's SSE Arena will play host to the opening night as darts' biggest party returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues across the UK and Europe.

The 2025 Premier League will be staged every Thursday night from February until May, as the sport’s top stars battle it out for the coveted title and £1m in prize money.

Littler actually claimed his first Premier League nightly win in Belfast this year and no doubt he will be eyeing a good start on Northern Irish soil.

February will also feature league nights in Glasgow, Dublin and Exeter during an action-packed opening month, before the 17-week extravaganza continues with visits to Brighton, Nottingham, Cardiff and Newcastle in March.

The race for Play-Off qualification will intensify in April, with further league nights to be held in Berlin, Manchester, Rotterdam and Liverpool, before the season draws to a close in May.

The final four league nights will take place in Birmingham, Leeds, Aberdeen and Sheffield, which will be followed by the season-ending Play-Offs on a bumper night at The O2 in London on Thursday May 29.

Tickets for the 2025 Premier League will go on sale during October 2024, with ticket information to be confirmed at pdc.tv/PLtickets in due course.

2025 BetMGM Premier League Nights and venues:

Night 1 - The SSE Arena, Belfast - Thursday February 6

Night 2 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow - Thursday February 13

Night 3 - 3Arena, Dublin - Thursday February 20

Night 4 - Westpoint Exeter - Thursday February 27

Night 5 - The Brighton Centre - Thursday March 6

Night 6 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham - Thursday March 13

Night 7 - Utilita Arena, Cardiff - Thursday March 20

Night 8 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle - Thursday March 27

Night 9 - Uber Arena, Berlin - Thursday April 3

Night 10 - AO Arena, Manchester - Thursday April 10

Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam - Thursday April 17

Night 12 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool - Thursday April 24

Night 13 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1

Night 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds - Thursday May 8

Night 15 - P&J Live, Aberdeen - Thursday May 15

Night 16 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield - Thursday May 22

Play-Offs - The O2, London - Thursday May 29