Darts legend John Lowe slams Premier League Darts selection: ‘Why did Beau Greaves not receive an invite?’

Jan 7, 2026 - 17:15

Darts legend John Lowe has slammed the decision not to include Beau Graves as a wildcard pick for the upcoming Premier League.

With the dust having barely settled on an epic World Championship, the 2026 Premier League of Darts is set to get underway in Newcastle on February 5.

Premier League Darts line-up — The show kicks off in less than a month’s time

The world’s top four ranked players of Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen all qualified automatically for the 17-week event.

Four wildcard players were then chosen by the PDC and the event’s broadcaster Sky Sports to complete the eight-person line-up.

Picks are mainly based on player popularity with commercial appeal and media appearances and overall availability also factored into the decision-making process.

The chosen quartet were Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.

Notable names in the frame who missed out on this year’s Premier League included Danny Noppert, Rob Cross, Ryan Searle, Nathan Aspinall and James Wade.

No Beau, no party

However, three time world champion Lowe believes Greaves’ performances should have warranted a shot at the Premier League.

The 21-year-old is a three-time women’s world champion and has the experience of beating Littler in the PDC World Youth Championship.

Despite her early exit from the World Championship last month, Lowe believes organisers have missed a golden opportunity to showcase women’s darts.

Lowe said: “The number of questions ‘why did Beau Greaves not receive an invite?’ was enormous.

“I question that also after her performance on the big stage.

Darts legend Lowe won world title in three different decades – a feat later repeated by Phil Taylor[/caption]

Beau Greaves at the World Matchplay. — Lowe has questioned the decision not to include Greaves in this year’s Premier League

“After Bunting’s performance in the league last year, no one can say she would not have made a serious threat.”

The inclusion of Bunting, who finished bottom of the Premier League table last year where he accumulated just 12 points, has been a huge talking point over the last 48 hours.

Pundits and fans believe the ‘The Bullet’ is lucky to have clung onto his spot while darts commentator Wayne Mardle expressed his ‘surprise’ at his inclusion.

Wrong pick

Lowe also says he would have liked to have seen World Championship semi-finalist Searle handed an opportunity in the Premier League at Bunting’s expense.

“Ryan Searle being the most talked about, after climbing the ranking table from 20th to eighth after his performance in the biggest event in darts, the World Championship, that must be hard to accept for Ryan, not just his supporters,” Lowe added.

“Many question the invite for Gerwyn Price, down at number 12, below Wade and Noppert.

Lowe was awarded an MBE for services to darts and to charity in 2019[/caption]

Stephen Bunting playing at World Darts Championship — Bunting just held on to his Premier League spot

Ryan Searle celebrates his victory over Martin Schindler — Lowe would have liked to have seen Searle replace Bunting

“The space left by the decline of Gary Anderson did leave an invitation open, but only if the order of the ranking players was the criteria for selection.

“So I can only assume players are chosen from the ranking table, and the players outside of the top eight are invited because they have an impact on ticket sales and TV audiences.”