THE new Betway Premier League Darts season will kick off at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Thursday night, with a record crowd set to see the rematch of the World Championship final between Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor.

The £700,000 roadshow event kicks off with the first of 16 weeks as ten top stars do battle for the prestigious title, which was won by Raymond van Barneveld at The O2 last May.

Although all ten players have their sights set on reaching the Play-Offs, they first do battle across the opening nine weeks to avoid elimination on Judgement Night, when the bottom two players in the league table are knocked out.

Thursday's headline game sees Anderson and Taylor meet in a repeat of the classic World Championship final which they battled out a month ago, as the Scot emerged triumphant with a 7-6 sets win.

Anderson is also a former Premier League champion, having won the title in 2011, and is excited about locking horns once again with Taylor.

"The last month has flown by and it's still a bit strange being introduced as World Champion," admits Anderson.

"When I hear it, my stomach flutters a bit and it's nice but I've got to put that to the back of my mind and get on with my game on Thursday.

"Phil will want some revenge for the World Championship final and I'm really looking forward to playing him.

"I want to see him challenging at the top because everyone knows how I feel about him - there's a huge amount of respect there. It will be great seeing him back playing how he can play during the Premier League, but hopefully not on Thursday!"

Taylor will be playing in only his second competitive match since the World Championship final when he meets Anderson, but the 54-year-old Stoke legend is keen to get back on the oche.

"I'm sure me and Gary will have a good game and I'm really excited," he said. "I still think I can push on, improve and up my level and that's what I'm aiming to do during the season.

"Every game this year's going to be like a final because the field is full of great players, and it should be a fantastic season."

Reigning Betway Premier League Darts champion Raymond van Barneveld opens his title defence against 2014 UK Open champion Adrian Lewis.

The Dutchman erased the memories of six previous semi-final defeats in the tournament when he overcame Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in last year's Play-Offs, and is relishing the chance to compete in front of a record 11,000 fans in Leeds.

"It's a very special tournament and it was one of the biggest achievements in my career to win the Premier League last year," said van Barneveld.

"I can't wait for this game because Leeds is an amazing venue and it was absolutely fantastic playing there last year. The crowds were great and I think the Premier League is the best thing the PDC have ever done.

"The pressure is different than being in a knockout game, so you can relax and enjoy the games - although the main aim for everyone is to avoid being in the bottom two, and then target the Play-Offs."

Lewis hit a nine-darter when he faced van Barneveld in the third round of the World Championship recently only to go on to lose the game 4-3, and he admitted: "I feel like I owe Raymond one because I missed too many doubles in that match.

"He's the reigning Premier League champion and his confidence will be high, but I'm there to shoot at him. I feel good about my form and I'm looking forward to the season ahead.

Former Premier League and World Champion van Gerwen kicks off his challenge against debutant Kim Huybrechts, who becomes the first Belgian to compete in the event.

Huybrechts landed a nine-dart finish in a superb victory over van Gerwen in last year's Grand Slam of Darts, but the Dutchman's win in The Masters last weekend "Kim's performance in the Grand Slam showed what a great player he is and I know that I'll have to play well on Thursday," said van Gerwen. "He's the new kid on the block and it will be the biggest crowd he's ever played in front of.

"I'm feeling great after my win last weekend and I know that my form's good, but I still have to perform on the night and I'll be working hard to make sure I'm ready.

"I want to win this tournament again and my confident is great, so I want to make a good start to the season because it makes things a lot easier."

2009 Premier League Darts champion James Wade is making his return to the Premier League, having won back a spot in the tournament after winning The Masters and reaching the World Grand Prix final during 2014.

"I'm really happy to be back," said Wade, who was a finalist in his first three years in the Premier League. "It's like my first day back in a new school and I'm very nervous, but that's normally when I perform.

"The Premier League's always been kind to me because it's over a long format. I've won this before and lost in two finals and I don't think there are many people who've got a better record than me."

Bunting, like Huybrechts, is another new face in the Premier League following his impressive debut year on the PDC circuit, and the former Lakeside Champion is preparing for one of the biggest nights of his career on Thursday.

"To be in the Premier League is a massive achievement for me," said Bunting. "I've had a fantastic year, really enjoyed my darts and I can't wait to get into the Premier League now.

"It's a tournament that I've watched over the years and it's a tournament that you want to play in, in these great areas and in front of these massive crowds.

"The fans have been great with me over the last year but the biggest crowd I've played in front of is probably 4,000 in Sydney, so it will be different but I'm sure I've got the self-belief and confidence to have a successful year.

"I've always known that I've had the game to beat any player, and it's about taking that game out when it's time to play. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I can keep going from strength to strength."

The tournament will kick off when 2014 World Championship finalist Peter Wright faces Grand Slam of Darts runner-up Dave Chisnall, with both preparing to compete in their second Premier League season.

Wright enjoyed a fine debut year in the event and only missed out on a Play-Off place on the final league night, and he said: "Me and Dave are going out there first and we want to hit loads of 180s and entertain the fans - who knows, they might see a nine-darter too!

"I've prepared properly and I'm feeling fresh and it's good to be back because this is the most competitive line-up ever and to be a part of it is fantastic.

"I enjoyed last year too but I tailed off at the end of the season, so this time I want to make the Play-Offs."

Chisnall is also excited about getting back onto the big stage after hitting 13 180s against van Gerwen in The Masters last weekend, only to be edged out 10-9 in a game of astounding quality.

"Even though I lost to Michael last week I was pleased with how I played and I can't wait to get out there in Leeds," said Chisnall. "Last year was really good for me and I want to go up there and show what I can do this season."

Sponsors Betway have Taylor and van Gerwen as their 5/2 joint favourites to take the title on May 21 at The O2, with Anderson the 9/2 third favourite and Lewis 9/1.

Bunting is 14/1 to take the title in his debut season, with Wade 16/1 and van Barneveld 28/1 to retain the trophy, with Wright 33/1 and both Chisnall and Huybrechts the 40/1 outsiders.

Over 11,000 tickets have already been sold for Thursday's opening night, with only small number still remaining from the First Direct Arena Box Office via 0844 248 1585 or www.firstdirectarena.com.

Betway Premier League.

Night One, Thursday February 5.

First Direct Arena, Leeds.

Dave Chisnall v Peter Wright.

Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis.

Kim Huybrechts v Michael van Gerwen.

Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor.

Stephen Bunting v James Wade.

Tickets: 0844 248 1585 or www.firstdirectarena.com