DARTS fans across the Tyne Valley will be given a special treat when the Premier League finals come to the North East in 2022.

The popular format - which sees the biggest names in the sport face off each spring - has visited Newcastle’s Utilita Arena since 2007, although the 26th May 2022 date will see the venue play host to final’s night for the first time.

Despite next year’s event appears to be something of a coup for fans in the North East, the Professional Darts Cooperation did reveal the 2021 event will not take place at the venue due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The organisers had hoped to be able to welcome fans back to the this year’s event and had delayed the start of the 2021 season in hopes a crowd would be allowed, but the first nine nights of the season will now take place behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

Finals night sees the four highest place league finishes compete for the Premier League crown, with last year’s title having been won by Middlesbrough-based Glen Durrant after he defeated Nathan Aspinall in the final.

Fans could also expect to see newly-crowned world champion Gerwyn ‘The Iceman’ Price, five time Premier League winner ‘Mighty’ Michael Van Gerwen and Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Anderson all in action when the event takes place.

Darts has fast become one of the most popular sports with fans following the dominance of Phill ‘The Power’ Taylor, and regularly sees the arena feature a sell-out crowd every time the Premier League visits.

The league in recent seasons has also expanded its UK tour to taking in nights around Europe, including in both Berlin in Germany and Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and this European appeal is set to continue in 2022.

Last time the league visited the city in 2019, it was a night to remember for North East player Chris Dobey, who competed in a one off appearance as the weekly ‘challenger’ after earning a 6-6 draw against Austrian Mensur Suljovic.

Fans who have already booked tickets for the 2020 and 2021 Premier League nights at the venue will be contacted by the arena in due course.