Welsh darts enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to on Friday night in Leicester, where the nation’s top two players, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, will clash for a coveted spot in the World Grand Prix semi‑finals. The winner not only secures a place in the next round but also claims the unofficial title of Wales’ leading darts man for the season. At the time of writing, Price sits fourth in the PDC Order of Merit, a single place ahead of his compatriot Clayton, who is currently ranked fifth. A victory for Price would widen that gap and reaffirm his position as the country’s number one.
Conversely, a win for Clayton would see him overtake the "Iceman" and become the highest‑ranked Welsh player, a boost that could prove pivotal as he also fights for a spot in the upcoming Grand Slam of Darts in November. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ and the main Sky Sports channel from 7 p.m. on Friday.
The evening’s programme also includes Nathan Aspinall versus Ryan Joyce, Luke Humphries taking on Niels Zonneveld, and a clash between Gian van Veen and James Wade. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the best video‑player experience. Historically, Price has held the edge in their head‑to‑head meetings, leading 30‑15 overall and having won their most recent encounter earlier this month.
That bout was an 11‑7 triumph for Price in the semi‑finals of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. However, the rivalry is far from one‑sided. In the 2021 World Grand Prix final, Clayton delivered a dominant 5‑1 victory, leaving Price to describe the experience as being "smashed up". Price, who teamed up with Clayton to win the World Cup of Darts in both 2020 and 2023, remains realistic about the challenge.
He said, "I know how good Jonny can play, I know how bad he can play. I know how good and how bad I can play.
I just need to take my opportunities. If I can start well, score in between and put Jonny under pressure, I think I will come through but it's going to be a real tough one. It's special for Wales regardless of who wins the game.
We're going to have a Welshman in the semi‑final of another massive major." Clayton, ever the good‑natured competitor, added a touch of humour to the pre‑match banter: "There's banter between me and Gezzy. Every time he gets to Welsh No 1, he sends me a flag with a No 1 on. We're good friends, world number 4 and 5. You can't fault that from Wales!" Both players entered the tournament in strong form.
Clayton survived a tight first‑round battle against Krzysztof Ratajski, edging it 2‑1 – a result Price jokingly described as "lucky" for his fellow Welshman. Clayton then unleashed a series of high‑checkout finishes, including several 140+ scores, to defeat the rising Dutch talent Wessel Nijman 3‑1 in the second round. Price, meanwhile, has yet to drop a set.
He dispatched Sebastian Bialecki 2‑0 in the opening round and then overwhelmed Ross Smith 3‑0, exacting a measure of revenge for a recent loss to "Smudger" in the World Series of Darts final held in the Netherlands. The all‑Welsh encounter will be joined on Friday’s schedule by a number of intriguing match‑ups. Luke Humphries, the second seed and a former Grand Prix champion, will face Niels Zonneveld, the tournament’s lowest‑ranked remaining competitor at world No 35. Humphries, who missed out on a repeat title after an upset by unseeded Mike De Decker in the 2024 final, emphasized respect for his opponent: "One thing this tournament teaches you is not to take anyone for granted.
If I think because Niels is whatever ranking he is that I'm going to win the game easy, I will fail. He's playing good darts and could be the Mike De Decker story. I will treat him with the respect I would every player, the respect he deserves." Humphries also reflected on the significance of adding another major to his résumé after winning his first major since the 2025 Premier League. "When you have experienced that achievement of winning a lot and then it all goes away for 12 months, when you get that experience of winning again it feels even sweeter.
I have worked really hard over the last 12 months and not got the rewards so winning would do me good, boost my confidence. Because I'm not picking up one or two majors a year, people think you are not as good as you used to be but I feel I am playing better than ever. I still feel there is another level in me. I'm just trying to find where that comes from," he explained.
On the other side of the draw, the under‑dog Ryan Joyce will meet Nathan Aspinall. Joyce, known for his mastery of double 16, sees the double‑in, double‑out format of the Grand Prix as his best opportunity to claim a major title. He previously reached the semi‑finals in 2024 before being knocked out by Humphries.
Joyce even turned to artificial intelligence for a confidence boost, joking that he asked ChatGPT for tips ahead of a big match. The AI supplied a list of strategies that Joyce felt he already employed, giving him a small morale lift.
Aspinall, however, remains confident that his own scoring power will be decisive. "Joyce is unreal on his double 16 but he can't score like me – and he knows that.
If I score like I did [in round two], he's not going to beat me, simple as that," he said. Fans can catch all the quarter‑final action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 7 p.m.
on Friday, with daily coverage continuing through to the final on Sunday. For those looking for streaming options, Sky Sports offers deals with NOW, allowing viewers to watch without a long‑term contract. The excitement in Leicester promises to be high, and the Welsh crowd will be eager to see which of their stars advances to the next stage of this prestigious tournament.