Belfast erupted in celebration Thursday night as Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock landed a perfect nine-dart finish during the fourth night of the 2026 Premier League Darts, despite ultimately falling to Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals. The electrifying moment at the SSE Arena captivated the crowd and underscored the growing excitement surrounding the young talent, even as veteran Stephen Bunting secured his first nightly victory of the season, defeating van Veen 6-2 in the final. The event likewise highlighted the ongoing struggles of world champion Luke Littler, who continues to find his footing in the prestigious tournament.
The nine-dart finish, a rare and coveted achievement in darts, sent a wave of energy through the arena. Rock, representing his home crowd, completed the perfect leg in the seventh leg of his match against van Veen, momentarily shifting the momentum. “I honestly don’t care if I never hit a nine-darter in my life again – to have it in Belfast has just made my life a dream come true,” Rock said, according to reports, after being presented with a custom-made set of 18-carat gold darts worth £30,000 by tournament sponsors BetMGM. While Rock ultimately lost the match 6-2, the moment cemented his status as a fan favorite and a rising star in the sport.
The night belonged to Bunting, however, who overcame a challenging start to the season. Having failed to win a match in the first three weeks of the 2026 Premier League, ‘The Bullet’ found his form in Belfast, first defeating defending champion Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals and then sweeping past current league leader Jonny Clayton 6-0 in the semi-finals. Bunting’s impressive run culminated in a 6-2 victory over van Veen in the final, marking a significant turning point for the seasoned player.
NINE-DARTER FOR ROCK! 🚨
JOSH ROCK HAS HIT A NINE-DARTER IN BELFAST!
The hometown hero pins the perfect leg to close the gap in this contest, what a moment for the man from County Antrim! 👏
📺 https://t.co/LnNAPX0oQz#PLDarts | QF4 pic.twitter.com/HZcnDEhFba
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 26, 2026
“Losing seven or eight [matches] on the spin last year really helped me to be honest,” Bunting shared in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. “It gave me a lot of experience in this field. When you are playing in the Premier League, it is against the best of the best.” He added, “I am overjoyed to be honest – this has got to rank up there with one of the best wins of my career.” Bunting’s victory propelled him to fifth place in the league standings, surpassing both Littler and Humphries.
Littler’s Struggles Continue
While Bunting and Rock provided the evening’s highlights, Luke Littler’s performance remained a point of concern. The world champion suffered a 6-3 defeat against Jonny Clayton in the opening quarter-final, continuing a challenging start to his Premier League campaign. Littler has won only one match in the first three weeks of the tournament and was previously defeated 6-1 by Clayton in Glasgow. Clayton demonstrated his dominance with impressive checkouts, including a 156 and a 168, showcasing his composure and skill.
Clayton currently leads the Premier League table with 11 points, two ahead of van Veen. The standings reflect a competitive field, with Bunting’s recent success shaking up the rankings. The tournament is proving to be a testing ground for both established players and emerging talents like Rock, who, despite his loss, has captured the hearts of fans with his spectacular play.
Van Veen’s Near Misses
Gian van Veen, despite falling to Bunting in the final, continues to demonstrate his potential as a formidable competitor. Having reached the previous two nightly finals in his debut campaign, van Veen’s consistency has been remarkable. However, he is still searching for his first nightly win, having now lost three finals this season. He secured his place in the final with a hard-fought victory over Gerwyn Price, a match that went the distance.
Looking Ahead
The Premier League Darts continues next week, with the tour moving to [location to be confirmed]. Fans can expect further intense competition and thrilling moments as players battle for position in the league standings. The tournament promises to be a captivating showcase of darting talent throughout the season, with players vying for the coveted title and the prestige of competing at the highest level.
Share your thoughts on the night’s events and predictions for the upcoming weeks in the comments below.
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