Gerwyn Price has confirmed that he will accept a wildcard invitation to the UK Open Pool Championship in May, even if the tournament’s schedule clashes with the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs. The 2023 Premier League runner‑up was handed a spot in the pool event, which runs from 26 to 31 May at the Brentwood Centre and features 256 entrants from more than 50 nations competing for a £167,500 prize fund. At the same time, Price is still fighting for a place in the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs, which are slated for the evening of 28 May at The O2 in London. The darts star, nicknamed “The Iceman,” has a background in cue sports; he took part in last year’s Mosconi Cup and appeared in an exhibition Pro‑Am match at Alexandra Palace, where he partnered with Milan Patel to clinch the winning shot against Ade Oladipo and Hugo Boyle, punctuated by his signature scream.
Speaking before the start of Thursday’s Premier League Darts fixture in Aberdeen, Price told Sky Sports, “I watched the Mosconi Cup and developed a genuine interest in nine‑ball pool. When the UK Open offered me a place, I grabbed it straight away and I’m keen to give it a go.” He added, “My first priority is to qualify for the Premier League Play‑Offs. If that happens, the pool schedule is double‑elimination, so I could still be competing on Tuesday, then have a break on Thursday for darts, and hopefully be back on the pool tables again on Friday and Saturday.” Price’s recent form in the Premier League has been uneven, with three consecutive quarter‑final defeats leaving him just five points above the fifth‑place cutoff ahead of the Aberdeen showdown.
The pressure to secure a Play‑Off berth has intensified, but the darts champion remains confident that he can juggle both commitments. When asked whether a potential clash would affect his performance, he replied, “I’m in it to win it. I wouldn’t turn up if I didn’t believe I could win.
I’m decent at pool – the players are strong, but I’m there to win.” He also reassured fans that his focus on darts would not waver: “Darts is my bread and butter. I’m 100 % committed to the Premier League, but I’ll keep an eye on the pool as well.” The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) was later asked to comment on the situation.
In a statement the PDC clarified that PDC players are free to take part in non‑darts events without special permission, and that while they could not predict Price’s exact decision, they believed he would prioritize darts if a direct conflict arose. Price’s sporting résumé extends beyond darts and pool. He has previously played rugby union in the Welsh Premiership and even had a brief stint with the United Rugby Championship side Glasgow Warriors, underscoring his versatility as an athlete. The UK Open Pool Championship last year was won by Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, who beat Jonas Souto 13‑1 in the final held in Telford.
This year’s edition promises a similarly high‑level field, and Price’s participation adds a high‑profile crossover story that could attract additional viewers to both sports. Looking ahead, the 2026 BetMGM Premier League continues at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, with a packed schedule that includes a potentially decisive clash between Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, a showdown between league leader Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen, and a semi‑final battle featuring Stephen Bunting against Price. Ranking points are awarded each night – five for the winner, three for the runner‑up and two for each semi‑finalist – and the top four after all league nights will qualify for the Finals Night at The O2 on 28 May.
If Price manages to secure a Play‑Off spot, he will face a tight window to switch between the two disciplines. The pool tournament uses a double‑elimination format, meaning a player can lose once and still remain in contention, which could allow Price to stay in the competition even after his darts commitments.
However, the physical and mental demands of switching between a precision cue sport and the high‑pressure environment of professional darts are significant. Both games require acute focus, steady hand‑eye coordination, and the ability to perform under intense scrutiny, albeit in different ways.
Pool demands meticulous planning of shots and a calm, methodical pace, while darts relies on rapid rhythm, quick decision‑making, and the ability to thrive in a noisy arena. Price’s willingness to take on both challenges reflects his competitive nature and his desire to broaden his sporting horizons.
It also highlights a growing trend of athletes crossing over into complementary disciplines, leveraging their skill sets to stay sharp and engage new audiences. Whether he ultimately prioritises darts or pool, his dual‑sport venture will be closely watched by fans of both games, and it could set a precedent for future cross‑disciplinary participation among elite competitors.