Barry Hearn makes huge announcement for next year's Betway Premier League

As 10,000 fans packed the O2 Arena in London last night for the League's play-off finals, PDC chairman Hearn revealed that Berlin will be one of the weekly venues next year.

The Netherlands has been a roaring success in the last two seasons, in a sport where Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen is the world champion.

Hearn said: "Last year for the first time we took the Premier League to mainland Europe. Rotterdam was a huge success.

“Germany is exploding with darts interest so we would be crazy not to have a leg out there.

“We have confirmed Berlin for 2018 as it spreads across Europe.

“This is the fastest growing sport in Europe and the crowds speak for themselves.

“We will have another 10,000 in Berlin, sold out in a day, and the fun moves on.

“About 8,000 of 68,000 tickets for the worlds were bought by German fans. A huge number of people flying in, booking hotels and staying there.

“Compared with 3,500 Dutch. The Dutch market has been established over the past few years with big-time players like Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld.

“It’s incredible Germany has exploded so much without yet a major German star to cheer on, which I am sure will come."

Hearn also paid tribute to Vic Wakeling, the former Sky Sports managing director, who died this week at the age of 73.

"Vic was the most instrumental person in changing the face of sport in this country - bar none," said Hearn.

“Vic was there at the beginning as I was in 1990 when Sky took over.

“Matchroom as a company wouldn't exist at the level we are without Vic Wakeling. He was the one who opened the doors at Sky.

“He asked us what we thought rather than broadcasters in those days, so fixed on what we do.

“Behind the scenes he was the most hands-on, efficient dictator of British sport I have ever seen. A joy to work with."