Announcements

DAVE Chisnall has kept his place in the Betway Premier League in 2017 after another impressive year on the oche.

But fellow St Helens darter Michael Smith has been overlooked in the selection of a ten-player field for next year's £825,000 tournament.

Chisnall has consolidated his position among the sport's elite and was involved in one of the games of the recent World Championships against Gary Anderson in the quarters.

Top four Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Adrian Lewis take their spots.

Six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor is a Wildcard for the first time after dropping down to sixth in the PDC Order of Merit, with fellow former champions James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Jelle Klassen and Kim Huybrechts joining Chisnall in completing the ten-player field.

Chisnall tweeted: "I feel honoured and of course delighted to be selected for the Premier League again next year. Thank you to the PDC for the opportunity."

But Smith, who made his debut in the Premier League last year, lost his last chance of retaining his place when he fell to defeat to James Wade in the third round at Alexandra Palace after twice leading.

Although there is an element of selection beyond the top four, the placings are the top ten in the PDC world rankings with the exception of Mensur Suljovic, who did not want to be considered.

His spot went to Belgian thrower Huybrechts, ranked 13th - a couple of spots below Smith.

Smith felt he only had himself to blame and last night he tweeted: "

Gutted not be in but it's only my own fault for a dreadful year head down and make sure I return next year just prove them wrong now."

Dutch star Klaasen consolidated his status inside the world's top ten during 2016, following up a run to the World Championship semi-finals by reaching the last four at the UK Open and the European Championship quarter-finals.

Klaasen previously competed in the 2009 Premier League, and will get a second chance to compete alongside the sport's elite stars in the forthcoming season, which begins at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on Thursday February 2.

Belgian star Huybrechts also returns to make his second Premier League appearance, having previously competed in the 2015 tournament, having reached three TV quarter-finals during 2016 and the World Cup of Darts semi-finals alongside brother Ronny.

With the world's top four players - van Gerwen, Anderson, Peter Wright and Adrian Lewis - qualifying by right, Klaasen and Huybrechts are two of the six Wildcard selections.

"As always this was a real tough decision because there are so many great players out there coming through," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn. "The Premier League is the pick of the greatest players who we think can give the best entertainment.

"I think we have a quality field, guaranteed a huge number of maximums and a few nine-darters in this year's Betway Premier League. Darts is not just a world-class sport but world-class entertainment as well.

"Averages that we've seen in the past are being comfortably surpassed week-in, week-out, and not just by Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen.

"With the rewards on offer these kids can change their lives through playing professional darts, and we are the beneficiaries because we see world-class sporting entertainment.

"This game is getting bigger and bigger and I'm so proud to be involved with it."

Hearn also added that some players who missed out on selection for the Betway Premier League are set to feature on the PDC's World Series of Darts tour throughout 2017.

"The four or five players who didn't get the pick will be involved this year in Premier League events as Wildcards to ensure that we grow the next generation of superstars.

"Daryl Gurney got really close and we'll be seeing him in some World Series events as he has another year to grow. Benito van de Pas is another great young player, but we've got so much choice that not everybody could get included."

The Betway Premier League season will see the ten players face each other once over the opening nine weeks before the bottom two players are eliminated following Judgement Night on March 30.

The remaining eight players then compete over the remaining six league nights for places in the top four to progress to the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on Thursday May 18, with the semi-finals and final deciding the 2017 champion.

A record £250,000 first prize is on offer for the 2017 Betway Premier League champion, with a £25,000 League Leader's Bonus also on offer for the player who finishes the regular season at the top of the league table.

2017 Betway Premier League.

Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) - reigning Premier League champion.

Gary Anderson (Scotland) - 2011 & 2015 Premier League champion.

Peter Wright (Scotland) - 2014 World Championship finalist.

Adrian Lewis (England) - 2011 Premier League finalist.

James Wade (England) - 2009 Premier League champion.

Phil Taylor (England) - Six-time Premier League champion.

Dave Chisnall (England) - 2015 Premier League semi-finalist.

Jelle Klaasen (Netherlands) - 2009 Premier League competitor.

Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands) - 2014 Premier League champion.

Kim Huybrechts (Belgium) - 2015 Premier League competitor.

Prize Fund.

Winner £250,000.

Runner-Up £120,000.

Semi-Finalists £80,000.

Fifth Place £65,000.

Sixth Place £55,000.

Seventh Place £50,000.

Eighth Place £45,000.

Ninth Place £30,000.

Tenth Place £25,000.

League Leader's Bonus £25,000.

Total £825,000.

Schedule.

Night One - February 2, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle.

Night Two - February 9, Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham.

Night Three - February 16, First Direct Arena, Leeds.

Night Four - February 23, The Brighton Centre.

Night Five - March 2, Westpoint Arena, Exeter.

Night Six - March 9, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow.

Night Seven - March 16, Rotterdam Ahoy.

Night Eight - March 23, The Manchester Arena.

Judgement Night - March 30, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff.

Night Ten - April 6, 3Arena, Dublin.

Night 11 - April 13, Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Night 12 - April 20, The SSE Arena, Belfast.

Night 13 - April 27, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham.

Night 14 - May 4, The Sheffield Arena.

Night 15 - May 11, GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen.

Play-Offs - May 18, The O2, London.