Why is Gian van Veen not playing at Premier League Darts? Everything we know

The reason for Gian van Veen's withdrawal from the Premier League's Dublin night and what happens in his absence

Medical diagnosis: Gian van Veen was forced to pull out of the Dublin event after being diagnosed with kidney stones. The PDC released a statement on Thursday morning confirming that the Dutch star is unable to compete due to the intense pain and medical requirements associated with the condition.

The scheduled opponent: Van Veen was set to face Michael van Gerwen in an all-Dutch quarter-final clash. This highly anticipated match was scheduled to be the opening game of the night.

Automatic bye: Because no replacement player is drafted into the Premier League mid-season for medical withdrawals, Van Gerwen receives an automatic bye into the semi-finals. As a result, Mighty Mike earns two league points and a +1 leg difference without having to throw a single dart in the first round.

League standings impact: Entering Night Seven, Van Veen sat in fourth place with nine points following a very respectable start to his debut campaign. However, this withdrawal results in him receiving zero points for the week and a -6 leg difference penalty, which could see him slip out of the play-off places by the end of the evening.

Strong start to the season:

The young Dutchman made an immediate impact on his Premier League debut in Newcastle back in February, where he reached the final. Although he lost that final 6-4 to Van Gerwen, he proved early on that he belonged among the world's elite top-eight players.

Recent form slump: Despite his early success, the Giant had struggled in the weeks leading up to the Dublin event, losing his opening quarter-final matches in both night five and night six. Fans were hoping the Dublin crowd would help him find the spark needed to snap his three-match losing streak before this medical setback occurred.

Tournament logistics: The event is being held at the 3Arena and is a complete sell-out, with thousands of fans expected to attend. Despite Van Veen's absence, the remaining three quarter-finals will proceed as planned to determine who meets Van Gerwen in the semi-finals.

How to watch: Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch the remaining action live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event. The broadcast coverage is scheduled to begin at 7pm GMT, ensuring fans don't miss the walk-ons for the adjusted schedule.

Start time adjustments: While the broadcast begins at 7pm, the first actual match on stage - Stephen Bunting vs Luke Littler - is expected to commence around 7.15pm GMT. This match will now open the night's play following the cancellation of the original opening tie.

READ MORE: Gian van Veen's job at Amsterdam airport before darts fame