For nearly a decade Michael van Gerwen treated Dublin as personal hunting ground winning five of seven Premier League visits between twenty fifteen and twenty twenty two. This season the narrative shifted when the Dutch great fell in the semi finals while Gerwyn Price lifted the Three Arena trophy and Luke Littler stole the headlines with a one two one bull finish.

Van Gerwen continues to average just under one hundred but his double accuracy has slumped to forty two percent compared with sixty during his peak years. He has responded by adding gym sessions to his routine and insists that stamina not age will decide whether he reclaims the Dublin crown.

Meanwhile Littler thrives on Irish soil. His semi final burst in February featured three maximums in four legs against Luke Humphries and the teenager openly relishes the football style atmosphere that sweeps the arena. Price too senses a changing of the guard and believes the younger generation are no longer intimidated by the Dutchman’s aura.

Ticket demand for next season’s Dublin night broke venue records with the entire allocation vanishing in four minutes. PDC officials are exploring temporary seating expansions while local tourism boards predict a seven million euro boost to the city economy during the week of the event.

Whether Van Gerwen can restore Leinster supremacy or cede control to the sport’s new wave will stand as one of twenty twenty six’s most compelling storylines. For now the green treble board in Dublin no longer feels like automatic territory for Mighty Mike.