Gerwyn Price calls for controversial major shakeup to World Darts Championship despite risk of fan backlash
GERWYN PRICE wants the PDC World Darts Championship to move around the globe each year and not simply stay annually at Ally Pally.
The Welshman lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy during the Covid year of 2021 when punters were locked out.
GettyGerwyn Price wants the PDC World Darts Championship to leave Ally Pally[/caption]
The famous North London palace on the hill first held oche action in December 2007 and has become the well-established home for world-class arrows.
However, world championships in athletics, cycling and swimming are staged in different countries.
The World Cups in football, rugby and cricket are rotated around the different continents.
Price’s argument is that darts should follow this lead and consider switching it around the planet.
The Iceman, 38, said: “I think it’s only right. That’s what happens with other sports.
“You should have equal rights that the tournament goes to different parts of the world. And then I think I’ll have a bit of a better chance of winning!
“Germany is becoming a huge market for the PDC and darts is growing immensely all over Europe.
“Maybe move it to Germany, Holland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Belgium. I don’t see any reason why they can’t do it.
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“I know they have the history with Ally Pally, but times move on, things change.
“It used to be at the Circus Tavern years ago and they moved on from that.
“With the way the game is going, and the strength-in-depth in every country, in all corners of the world, the tournament needs to have a new home now and again.
“Maybe you could have it two years in London, two years in Holland, two years in Germany, then two years in Wales.”
There are times when the crowd at this time of the year get involved, pick a side and put the other player off.
Price uses the example of proud Scotsman Gary Anderson losing the 2011 world final to Stoke-born Adrian Lewis in London when he cast as the pantomime villain.
The world No.5 – who on Monday will throw against Englishman Connor Scutt in the second round – said: “If that final was played in Scotland, Gary probably wins.
“Ally Pally isn’t the biggest venue by any means – it doesn’t hold as many fans as some of the Premier League venues.
“The game is getting bigger, there are bigger venues out there, so it’s possible to have a change.
“Whether the PDC are willing to do that, with the history of Ally Pally, I don’t know.
‘It’s only fair that it gets moved about a bit’
“German Ricardo Pietreczko is a fantastic player and won his first European Tour event in his home country.
“Then you have Luke Humphries winning his first major in front of English crowds.
“I won the Premier League night in Cardiff. There is the effect of a home crowd and it does help. It’s only fair that it gets moved about a bit.”
Of course, Price may have a slight agenda here given his fractious relationship down the years with the Ally Pally crowd.
Relations with the fancy-dress brigade have improved this year and part of that was his decision to wear different coloured shirts during the 17-week Premier League.
Orange for Holland, green for Ireland – ones that have a special connection to the host city.
The PDC has a long-term Alexandra Palace deal and are not looking to change the venue for their flagship tournament.
The benefit of London are the travel connections and ability to attract about 90,000 fans over 16 days.
Jonny Clayton, Price’s two-time World Cup-winning teammate, said: “I don’t think you’d be able to take the World Championship from Ally Pally.
“Logistically it’s easier for everyone to get into and out of London at Christmas, whether that’s players or fans.
“Maybe the World Cup of Darts could move each year to the country that’s defending it.
“I know where Gezzy’s coming from, and I wouldn’t mind playing in front of a Welsh crowd at the World Championship. But I think it’s just meant to be at Ally Pally.”
