Gerwyn Price has made it clear that he will accept the invitation to compete in the upcoming UK Open Pool Championship in May, even if the tournament’s schedule collides with the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs. The darts world’s most recognizable figure, known for his icy composure on the oche, is set to juggle two high‑profile events that fall within a narrow window of dates, showcasing his ambition across both cue‑sport and darts.
The UK Open Pool Championship, slated for May 26‑31 at the Brentwood Centre, will host a massive field of 256 competitors drawn from more than 50 nations. The competition carries a substantial prize pool of £167,500, and Price has been handed a wildcard entry, allowing him to bypass the qualifying rounds and compete straight into the main draw. This invitation follows his recent appearance at the Mosconi Cup last year, where he participated in a Pro‑Am exhibition at Alexandra Palace, delivering a decisive shot alongside teammate Milan Patel against opponents Ade Oladipo and Hugo Boyle, and punctuating the moment with his trademark yell. While Price is eager to test his mettle on the pool tables, he is also actively pursuing a berth in the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs, which will be staged at The O2 in London on the evening of May 28.
The Play‑Offs represent the final gateway to the Premier League season’s concluding showdown, and Price, the 2023 Premier League runner‑up, knows that a strong performance could secure his place among the elite four who will contest the championship final. Speaking to Sky Sports before the Thursday night Premier League fixture in Aberdeen, Price explained his dual‑sport motivation: "I watched the Mosconi Cup and developed a keen interest in nine‑ball pool.
When the UK Open invitation arrived, I grabbed it with both hands and decided to give it a proper go." He added a pragmatic timetable for how he might balance the two commitments: "If I qualify for the Premier League Play‑Offs, the pool tournament’s double‑elimination format should still keep me in the competition for a couple of days after the Play‑Offs. I could potentially play pool on Tuesday, then break for darts on Thursday, and resume the pool action on Friday and Saturday if the schedule allows." Price’s recent form in the Premier League has been a mixed bag, with a string of three successive quarter‑final defeats that have left him just five points above the fifth‑place cutoff heading into the Aberdeen showdown. The pressure to secure points and maintain his position among the top contenders has intensified, making his decision to also commit to a demanding pool tournament all the more noteworthy.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) was asked for clarification on whether Price would need any special permission to appear in both events. In a statement, the PDC confirmed that no special dispensation is required: "PDC players are free to take part in non‑darts events outside of their playing commitments. 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!" This suggests that while Price has the freedom to compete in the pool championship, his priority would likely remain with darts should a direct scheduling conflict arise. Price’s athletic versatility extends beyond cue‑sports and darts.
He has previously played rugby union in the Welsh Premiership and had a short stint with the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship, demonstrating a broad sporting background that includes high‑pressure team environments. The previous edition of the UK Open Pool Championship was won by Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, who dominated the final with a 13‑1 victory over Jonas Souto in Telford. That result underscored the high calibre of competition that Price will be facing, as the field includes seasoned professionals from across the globe. Looking ahead, the 2026 BetMGM Premier League season continues at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, with a packed schedule that features marquee match‑ups such as Luke Humphries versus Michael van Gerwen, a pivotal clash for a top‑four finish, and a renewed rivalry between league leader Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen.
Other highlights include a showdown between Josh Rock and Luke Littler, as well as a semi‑final battle pitting Stephen Bunting against Price himself. Ranking points are on the line each night: five points for the winner, three for the runner‑up, and two for each semi‑finalist.
These points accumulate to determine the league table, from which the top four players will advance to the Finals Night at The O2 on Thursday, May 28. The stakes are high, and every match could tip the balance for those vying for a place in the climactic final.
In summary, Gerwyn Price’s decision to accept the UK Open Pool wildcard reflects his competitive spirit and willingness to embrace challenges across sporting disciplines. While he acknowledges the possibility of a scheduling clash, his statements indicate a clear intention to compete in both arenas, with darts remaining his primary focus should the two events overlap. Fans can anticipate a thrilling week of both pool and darts action, as Price aims to demonstrate that his skill set is not confined to the oche alone.