Welsh darts fans will be treated to a high‑stakes encounter on Friday night in Leicester, as Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton go head‑to‑head for a coveted spot in the World Grand Prix semi‑finals. The match carries more than just a place in the next round; it also determines which of the two will hold the unofficial title of Wales' top darts player. At the time of writing, Price sits fourth in the PDC Order of Merit, just one place ahead of his countryman Clayton, who occupies the fifth slot. A victory for Price would extend his narrow lead over Clayton and reinforce his status as the leading Welshman on the circuit.
Conversely, should Clayton triumph, he would not only move ahead of Price in the rankings but also position himself as the favourite to claim the World Grand Prix crown on Sunday, potentially overtaking the so‑called "Iceman" as Wales' highest‑ranked competitor. The showdown will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports Main Event channel from 7 p.m. on Friday. The evening’s programme also includes Nathan Aspinall versus Ryan Joyce, Luke Humphries against 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 enjoyed the upper hand in their head‑to‑head meetings, leading 30‑15 overall.
Their most recent encounter earlier this month saw Price prevail 11‑7 in the semi‑finals of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. However, the 2021 World Grand Prix final tells a different story: Clayton defeated Price 5‑1, a result that still haunts the Welshman, who described the defeat as being "smashed up".
Price, a two‑time World Cup champion alongside Clayton (2020 and 2023), commented on the upcoming match: "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 character, added: "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!" In the earlier rounds, Clayton edged past Krzysztof Ratajski 2‑1 in a match where Price jokingly suggested his compatriot had been "lucky".
Clayton then produced a series of high‑checkout finishes exceeding 100 points, including three in the opening set, to beat the rising Dutchman Wessel Nijman 3‑1. Price, meanwhile, has yet to lose a set in the tournament, cruising past Sebastian Bialecki 2‑0 and then dismantling Ross Smith 3‑0, a satisfying revenge after his recent loss to "Smudger" in the World Series final in the Netherlands.
The all‑Welsh duel is just one part of Friday’s action. Luke Humphries, the second seed, will face Niels Zonneveld, the lowest‑ranked remaining player at world No 35. Humphries, who captured his first Grand Prix title in 2023, warned against underestimating Zonneveld: "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 what a second Grand Prix victory would mean after his first major win at 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." On the other side of the draw, Ryan Joyce, a relatively unknown figure compared with the tournament favourites, will try to make a deep run. Joyce has earned a reputation for his proficiency on double 16, a skill that could prove decisive in this double‑in, double‑out format. He recalls his semi‑final appearance in 2024, where he was ultimately outplayed by Humphries, but remains optimistic: "I think I was just bored one night, and I thought, 'I'll put ChatGPT on and say I've got a big game coming up.
Have you got any tips on how I can handle it better?' The AI gave me a list of things to do, and I realised I already do most of them. That gave me a little boost, so I'll just continue with what I'm doing. I don't need anybody's help.
I'm just going to do it myself." Aspinall, however, is less convinced of Joyce’s chances, noting that while Joyce excels on double 16, he lacks the scoring power of the Englishman: "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." Fans can tune in to the quarter‑finals 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 without a Sky subscription, the tournament is also available via NOW with a no‑contract streaming option.