Gerwyn Price has made it clear that he intends to accept the invitation to take part in the UK Open Pool Championship in May, even if the tournament’s schedule collides with the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs. The Welsh darts star, who finished runner‑up in the 2023 Premier League, received a wild‑card entry for the pool event, which will be staged at the Brentwood Centre from May 26 to May 31. The competition draws 256 players from more than 50 nations and boasts a substantial prize pool of £167,500. At the same time, Price is fighting for a spot in the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs, which are slated for the evening of May 28 at The O2 in London.
The dual‑sport commitment has sparked considerable interest among fans and commentators, as Price is one of the few athletes who competes at a high level in both darts and cue sports. Price is no stranger to pool. He previously appeared at last year’s Mosconi Cup, taking part in a Pro‑Am exhibition match at Alexandra Palace alongside teammate Milan Patel. In that encounter, Price sank the decisive shot against opponents Ade Oladipo and Hugo Boyle, punctuating the moment with his trademark roar.
His exposure to nine‑ball pool during the Mosconi Cup sparked a genuine enthusiasm for the discipline, which he now hopes to translate into a serious competitive run. Speaking before the start of Thursday’s Premier League Darts fixture in Aberdeen, Price told Sky Sports: “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. 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.” Price’s recent form in the Premier League has been uneven. After a string of three successive quarter‑final defeats, he finds himself just five points above the fifth‑place cutoff heading into Thursday’s matches.
The pressure to secure a Play‑Off berth adds another layer of complexity to his schedule, but the darts champion remains confident. When asked about the potential clash between the two events, Price replied, “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 emphasized his commitment to darts, stating, “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 have one eye on the pool as well.” The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) was approached by Sky Sports for clarification on how Price would handle a scenario where he qualifies for the Play‑Offs. The PDC responded that no special permission is required for players to take part in non‑darts events outside of their contractual obligations. “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,” the statement read.
Price’s sporting résumé extends beyond darts and pool. Earlier in his career he played rugby union in the Welsh Premiership and had a brief stint with the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship, underscoring his versatility as an athlete. The previous edition of the UK Open Pool Championship was won by Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, who dispatched Jonas Souto 13‑1 in the final held in Telford.
With a field of over two hundred competitors and a sizable prize fund, the tournament offers a genuine test for any player, let alone a darts professional stepping onto the baize. The 2026 BetMGM Premier League season continues at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, featuring a packed programme that includes a clash between Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, a pivotal encounter for the top‑four race.
League leader Jonny Clayton will also renew his rivalry with Gian van Veen, while Josh Rock and Luke Littler open the evening’s action. Stephen Bunting and Price are slated to meet in a semi‑final showdown, with ranking points on the line – five for the winner, three for the runner‑up, and two each for the semi‑finalists – which will determine the four players who advance to the Finals Night at The O2 on May 28.
In summary, Gerwyn Price is set to juggle two demanding sporting commitments in the same week. His enthusiasm for nine‑ball pool, bolstered by previous exhibition experience, has led him to accept the UK Open invitation, while his primary ambition remains to secure a place in the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs. Whether he can maintain peak performance in both arenas will be closely watched by fans of both sports, and the outcome could set a precedent for multi‑disciplinary competition at the elite level.