Luke Littler, the reigning champion and just 18 years old, asserts that holding onto his Premier League Darts title 'would mean everything.' After a spectacular debut in 2024 where he clinched the prestigious tournament by overcoming Luke Humphries in a thrilling final, Littler is set to return to the stage. His title defense kicks off this Thursday in Belfast against none other than Michael van Gerwen, a matchup that echoes their recent World Championship showdown.

Littler expressed confidence heading into this competition:

"Ever since last year, I know these players are going to have to pull it out of the bag to beat me."
He views this challenge as significant, stating, "This is probably the biggest one I'm going to defend all round until it comes to the World Championships."

The Premier League Darts spans 16 nights from February through May, taking place in various cities across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, culminating in the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena on May 29. Littler has a clear target in mind; securing a top-four finish would solidify his place at finals night.

Despite the challenges ahead, Littler's focus remains sharp:

"I have to get the top four, but I want to get that win tomorrow night. If it doesn't happen, then I'll reset but I'm hoping for a quick start tomorrow just like the world final."

Reflecting on his previous season, Littler recalls consistently finding himself in fourth or fifth place until he ignited a winning streak that propelled him forward. He believes that his victory in the Premier League infused him with the self-assurance needed to seize the World Championship title, remarking that the feelings elicited by each triumph were distinctly different.

"Lifting the World Championship was a different feeling compared to winning the Premier League crown after I felt people questioned my place in the competition."

Having entered his first Premier League as a wildcard, he recollects the skepticism surrounding his readiness, but he confidently took his chance.

Littler hasn’t revisited his final match footage, preferring to focus solely on the critical moments that brought him victory, particularly the match-winning throw. He is eager to start this year's campaign on the right foot against Michael van Gerwen:

"I’m just hoping to win that first game against Michael, get some points on the board and see from there. He's going to be up for it, he's going to be hungry. I'm obviously up for it as the reigning champion, so whoever wins tomorrow it will be big for both of us."

Be sure to check out live text commentary of the matches on the BBC Sport website.