Darts' annual roadshow event - the Premier League - kicks off in Manchester on Thursday as eight of the world's best players go head-to-head over 15 weeks of intense competition.
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The four-month event, now in its eighth staging, sees players face each other twice in a league format across the UK, with the top four players at the end of the regular season advancing to the Play-offs at the O2, London in May.
Gary Anderson picked up the title last year, beating Adrian Lewis in the final and gaining revenge for his defeat in the world final a few months earlier.
The Scot is among a star-studded lineup this year, competing for £450,000 in prize money.
Fifteen-time world champion Phil Taylor is the bookmakers 13/8 favourite and will be hoping to kickstart his year by recapturing the title he won four years running from 2005-2009.
The Power has suffered a slump in form in recent months; he lost three singles matches to lower ranked opposition at the World Cup in his first appearance since exiting the World Championship at the second round stage in December.
His real form will become clear over the course of the event as he takes on a host of top quality players week in, week out.
Reigning world champion Adrian Lewis, along with Taylor, lifted the World Cup at the weekend and will be full of confidence going into the event.
He opens his campaign once again against Stoke rival Taylor at the Manchester Arena on Thursday. He will be hoping to add to his good Premier League record against The Power, having thrashed him 8-2 in last year's opener and again 8-3 in the Play-offs.
Left-hander James Wade will be hoping to reproduce the sort of form that won him this title in 2009; he has been known as a slow-starter in the league but is capable of surging up the table at any time.
Crowd favourite and five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will be out to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level; the Dutchman was dumped out of the World Championship in the first round but remains a formidable opponenton the big stage.
Many have tipped Simon Whitlock to cause damage in this year's event. The big Aussie will be making his third consecutive appearance in the competition and will be buoyed by his good run at Ally Pally plus his part in Australia's run to the World Cup final.
Two more Sky Sports wildcards - Kevin Painter and Andy Hamilton - will make their debuts in this year's event.
Hamilton was rewarded with a spot courtesy of his incredible run to the World Championship final, while Painter was given the nod following his win at the Players Championship finals in December.
Both players are renowned for wearing their heart on their sleeve while on the oche and will be relishing the chance to play in front of huge crowds each week.
The tournament get underway on Thursday February 9 at the Manchester Arena, featuring a mouthwatering clash between Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor.
All matches are played over the best of 14 legs, with two points awarded for a win and one point per draw. Each night will begin at 7pm and will be streamed live.
McCoy's Premier League Darts order of play on Thursday, February 9:
Andy Hamilton v James Wade
Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld
Kevin Painter v Gary Anderson
Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
