Gerwyn Price has made it clear that he intends to accept the invitation to compete in the UK Open Pool Championship in late May, regardless of whether the tournament clashes with the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs. The Welsh darts star, who finished runner‑up in the 2023 Premier League, has been granted a wild‑card entry to the pool event, which will be staged at the Brentwood Centre from May 26 to May 31.
The competition draws 256 entrants from more than 50 nations and offers a substantial prize pool of £167,500. At the same time, Price is still fighting for a place in the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs, scheduled for the evening of May 28 at The O2 in London. The Play‑Offs determine which four players will advance to the season‑ending Finals Night, and Price’s performance in his upcoming league fixtures will decide whether he secures one of those coveted spots.
The "Iceman" is no stranger to cue sports. Last year he took part in the Mosconi Cup, the prestigious annual showdown between Europe and the United States, where he played in a Pro‑Am exhibition match at Alexandra Palace. Partnered with Milan Patel, Price sank the decisive shot against opponents Ade Oladipo and Hugo Boyle, punctuating the moment with his trademark roar. That experience sparked a genuine interest in nine‑ball pool, prompting him to accept the UK Open invitation.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the Thursday session of the Premier League Darts in Aberdeen, Price explained his motivation: "I went and watched the Mosconi Cup and have taken some interest in nine‑ball pool, and got an invite to the UK Open. So, I'll take it with both hands and give it a crack." He went on to outline a tentative schedule that would allow him to juggle both commitments. "Hopefully I make the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs, first of all.
If I do, with the pool, I think I could possibly play on the Tuesday. It's double‑elimination, so I'll still be in for a couple days after that. Then maybe break up a bit on Thursday [for the darts], and Friday‑Saturday I should be playing [pool] again hopefully," he said.
Price’s position in the league has become precarious after a string of lacklustre results. He has not won any of his last three quarter‑final matches and currently sits just five points above the fifth‑place cutoff, meaning Thursday’s match could be pivotal for his Play‑Off hopes.
When asked about the potential conflict should he progress deep into the pool tournament, Price responded with confidence: "I'm in it to win it. I wouldn't turn up if I didn't think I could win.
I'm half decent! They're good players but I'm there to win." He also reassured critics that his focus on darts would not waver: "100 per cent. That's my bread and butter.
I'm there to win the Premier League, hopefully if I get there, but I'll be one eye on the pool as well." The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) was later asked by Sky Sports to comment on Price’s situation. A PDC spokesperson clarified that no special permission is required for players to compete in non‑darts events: "Gerwyn does not require any special dispensation to participate.
PDC players are free to take part in non‑darts events outside of their playing commitments." The statement added, "We are not sure if Gerwyn would play if he were to qualify for Premier League Play‑Offs night, but we believe he would choose the darts in the event of a clash!" Price’s athletic résumé extends beyond darts. Earlier in his career he played football in the Welsh Premiership and even had a brief stint with the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship, demonstrating his versatility across sports. The previous edition of the UK Open Pool Championship was claimed by Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, who routed Spain’s Jonas Souto 13‑1 in the final held in Telford.
The tournament’s double‑elimination format means competitors can lose once and still remain in contention, a structure that could suit Price’s busy schedule by offering a degree of flexibility. Meanwhile, the 2026 BetMGM Premier League continues at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, featuring a packed programme of high‑stakes matches. Luke Humphries will meet Michael van Gerwen in a clash that could prove decisive for a top‑four finish, while league leader Jonny Clayton renews his rivalry with Gian van Veen. In the opening bout of the evening, Josh Rock faces Luke Littler, and later Stephen Bunting will take on Price in a battle for a semi‑final berth.
Points are awarded each night—five for the winner, three for the runner‑up and two for each semi‑finalist—feeding into the league table that determines the four players who will advance to the Finals Night at The O2 on Thursday, May 28. As the season draws to a close, Price’s dual‑sport ambitions add an extra layer of intrigue, and fans will be watching closely to see whether he can balance the demands of both the pool table and the oche while still chasing glory in the Premier League.