Gerwyn Price has made it clear that he intends to accept a wild‑card invitation to the UK Open Pool Championship in late May, even if the tournament’s schedule collides with the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs. The 2023 Premier League runner‑up was granted a spot at the pool event, which runs from 26 to 31 May at the Brentwood Centre and features 256 players representing more than 50 nations, with a total prize fund of £167,500.
At the same time, Price is fighting for a place in the Premier League Darts Play‑Offs, scheduled for the evening of 28 May at The O2 in London. The darts star, nicknamed "The Iceman," already has some pool experience under his belt.
He took part in last year’s Mosconi Cup and participated in a Pro‑Am exhibition at Alexandra Palace, where he teamed up with Milan Patel and sank the decisive shot against Ade Oladipo and Hugo Boyle, earning a trademark scream from the crowd. Speaking before the start of Thursday’s Premier League Darts leg in Aberdeen, Price told Sky Sports, "I watched the Mosconi Cup and developed an interest in nine‑ball pool, and then I got an invitation to the UK Open. I’ll take it with both hands and give it a go." He went on to explain how he hopes to juggle both commitments: "If I qualify for the Premier League Play‑Offs, I think I could still play pool on Tuesday.
It’s a double‑elimination format, so I’ll be around for a few days after that. Then I could take a short break on Thursday for the darts and hopefully be back on the pool tables on Friday and Saturday." Price’s position in the darts league has become precarious after a run of three straight quarter‑final defeats, leaving him just five points above the fifth‑place cutoff ahead of Thursday’s matches. The pressure to secure a Play‑Off spot has intensified, but the darts champion remains confident in his ability to manage both sports. "I’m in it to win it.
I wouldn’t show up if I didn’t think I could win. I’m half‑decent at pool – the players are good, but I’m there to win," he said when asked about the potential clash. When questioned whether his focus on darts would suffer, Price replied, "One hundred per cent. Darts is my bread and butter.
I want to win the Premier League, but I’ll keep one eye on the pool as well." The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) was approached by Sky Sports for clarification on Price’s situation should he qualify for the Play‑Offs. In a statement the PDC confirmed, "Gerwyn does not need any special dispensation to take part in non‑darts events outside of his playing commitments. We are not certain whether he would compete in the Play‑Offs if he qualified, but we believe he would prioritize darts in the event of a direct clash." Price’s sporting résumé extends beyond darts.
He has previously played rugby union in the Welsh Premiership and had a brief stint with the United Rugby Championship side Glasgow Warriors. His diverse background underscores his willingness to test himself across different competitive arenas. The previous edition of the UK Open Pool Championship was claimed by Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, who thrashed Jonas Souto 13‑1 in the final held in Telford.
This year’s tournament promises a similarly high‑stakes environment, with a large field and a substantial prize pool that should attract top talent from around the globe. Meanwhile, the 2026 BetMGM Premier League season continues at the P&J Live in Aberdeen. The night’s schedule includes a potentially decisive showdown between Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen as they vie for a top‑four finish, while league leader Jonny Clayton renews his rivalry with Gian van Veen. In the opening match, Josh Rock faces Luke Littler, and later Stephen Bunting meets 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 – and these contribute to the league table that determines the four players who will advance to the Finals Night at The O2 on Thursday, 28 May. Overall, Price’s decision to pursue the pool invitation reflects his competitive spirit and his desire to broaden his sporting horizons.
Whether he can successfully balance the demands of high‑level darts and nine‑ball pool remains to be seen, but his confidence suggests he is prepared to give both pursuits his full commitment. The coming weeks will reveal whether his dual‑sport gamble pays off, and fans of both darts and pool will be watching closely to see how the Iceman manages the tight schedule and the pressure of competing at the highest level in two very different disciplines.