Darts Chiefs Admit Gerwyn Price Is Too Box Office To Ignore

By David Williams

Darts chiefs have defended their decision to include Gerwyn Price in the Premier League Darts – even though he has fallen to No.10 in the world.

Price has been confirmed as one of the eight competitors for the 2025 Premier League Darts – an invitational event, loosely based around the world rankings.

Price has been given the nod ahead of higher ranked players because of his pulling power and status as a player who often provokes strong crowd reaction.

It will mark the Welsh star’s eighth consecutive appearance in the prestigious tournament.

The Iceman, from Markham, will once again take to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in the sport when the competition kicks off in Belfast on February 6.

Gerwyn Price is included in this year’s Premier League Darts line-up! #BBCDarts pic.twitter.com/BzVBZNZWPf

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 6, 2025

Price, 39, enters the Premier League on the back of a strong showing at the World Championship, where he reached the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.

Along the way, he defeated Keane Barry, Joe Cullen, and fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton before falling to Chris Dobey in a hard-fought 5-3 loss.

It was a much-needed return to form for former world champion Price, who had dropped down to world no.10 after a disappointing couple of years.

Reflecting on Price’s inclusion, PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said: “Obviously, with Price, Dobey and Aspinall, there are players above them in the rankings who haven’t been selected, but we have looked at it in terms of big stage presence, popularity, and the way they can get a 10,000-person crowd every Thursday going.

“We want people on the edge of their seats. We want people up and enjoying their darts.

“That isn’t to say other players can’t do that. You have to make decisions on who is right at the time.”

Joining Price in the 2025 Premier League are reigning world champion Luke Littler and 2024 world champion Luke Humphries, both of whom are expected to light up the tournament.

Any excuse to watch Luke Littler’s nine-darter in the Premier League Darts final last year again pic.twitter.com/zP2InOiMi7

— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 6, 2025

Littler, just 17 years old, captured his maiden world title with a victory over Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally, cementing his place as the biggest name in the sport.

The line-up also includes top-tier players Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, and Chris Dobey.

Dobey, who eliminated Price in the World Championship, and Bunting are the only new additions this year, replacing Peter Wright and Michael Smith from the previous season.

The Premier League format remains unchanged, with the eight competitors battling through 16 mini-events across the season.

Each night will feature quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, played over the best of 11 legs.

Points accumulated over the season will determine the league table, with the top four progressing to the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena on May 29.

As part of the tour, Cardiff’s Utilita Arena will host Night Seven on Thursday, March 20, offering local fans the chance to see their homegrown talent, Price, in action.

Matches will also be held in venues across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, including stops in Germany and the Netherlands.

Price, a 2021 world champion and former Premier League finalist, will be looking to build on his recent resurgence and reestablish himself among the sport’s elite.

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