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Year three of the Premier League will now feature eight players over 14 nights, building up to finals day and a winner’s cheque for £75,000.

Unicorn star Phil Taylor – unbeaten in 28 Premier League matches spanning two years – will defend his crown next year against seven of the top darts players in the world.

The top six in the world rankings after the World Grand Prix in Dublin will be guaranteed a place in the 2007 Premier League. One wildcard for the tournament will be announced after Dublin, with the eighth man due to be named after the World Championships.

With only 43 points covering Peter Manley in 4th, to Unicorn stablemate Adrian Lewis in 13th, it is sure to be a thrilling race to the end of October to claim those six automatic places.

Colin Lloyd – currently World No.1 – should be guaranteed a spot but the field is wide open. Raymond Van Barneveld, who has been a huge hit since crossing the divide in February, will surely be handed one of the wildcard’s, which means the likes of Lewis, Kevin Painter, Chris Mason, Andy Jenkins, Dennis Priestley and John Part have a massive incentive over the next four months.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: “This is now one of the biggest and most exciting events in British sport. The sold-out signs were up wherever we went and 2007 will be something special.”

There are probably 20 players battling it out for the top six over the next four months and with 11 ranking tournaments, it really is all to play for.

The venues will be announced in due course but it is certain the PDC will opt for arena-type venues, which can hold 3,000 fans at a time. When the Premier League started, it was a shot in the dark but it has been a success beyond everyone’s wildest dreams.

For Taylor and the rest, it is now one of the biggest events of the year and the prize money reflects that. This is big-time darts!

2007 prize money:

Winner: £75,000
Runner-up: £40,000
Semi-finalists: £30,000
5th place: £22,500
6th: £20,000
7th: £17,500
8th: £15,000

In addition, there will be a £1,000 bonus for the highest check-out at each of the 14 group stage nights.

Hearn added: “There are over 150 ranking points available before the end of the World Grand Prix, so a lot can change!”

This will be seen as another massive shot in the arm for darts, as the sport continues to grow and grow.

As for the venues, expect Bournemouth, Plymouth and Aberdeen to be on the list but expect the big-city arena’s to be included, as the 2007 Premier League heads all points North, East, South and West!

BY STUART PYKE