In 2005, introduced by Matchroom Sports as the strongest competition in world darts, the premier league is a travelling darts circus all around Great Britain. The first year all the British players get a home fixture in venues that can roughly house 500-1000 fans. The league is an instant hit especially when Raymond van Barneveld joins the PDC before the second season. Crowds create absolute bedlam in growing arenas and make it a football like atmosphere. In 2010 The O2 Arena in London hosts a capacity crowd of 10.000 people. Phil Taylor remains king of Thursday nights; it takes 44 unbeaten matches before he has to take his first defeat. Taylor still is ranked first after the regular season every time. Phil wins every edition of this tournament until 2009 where he gets defeated surprisingly in the semi final by Mervyn King. King goes on to loose the final against James Wade. Taylor regains his title in emphatic style the next year. He throws two ninedarters in the final against James Wade and claims his 5th title. A year later it's Adrian Lewis who defeats Taylor in the semi final. However Lewis won't be crowned champion in 2011 because he looses teh final to Gary Anderson. A year later it's The Power who claims his sixth title. Raymond van Barneveld is the most successful Dutch player, making the semi finals on the first four occasion although he never reached the final in four attempts. Roland Scholten does make the final in 2006 after he defeats fellow countryman Barneveld in the semi final.