Gerwyn Price Demands Major Change to World Darts Championship This Year
Gerwyn Price has called for a major change to the World Darts Championship ahead of the tournament kicking off next month.
18-year-old sensation Luke Littler is the reigning champion after his incredible 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen saw him become the youngest ever winner in the 2025 edition.
'The Nuke' claimed a whopping Ā£500,000 prize, as well as the Ballon d'Art trophy - given to the player who produces the most 180s, following his heroics at Alexandra Palace.
The overall prize pot was set at Ā£2.5 million, with Van Gerwen getting Ā£200,000 for coming second. However, for the 2026 showpiece, the prize money has doubled to a whopping Ā£5 million.
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The winner will be Ā£1 million richer, with the sport's biggest ever pay-out coming as a result of "darts' standing as one of the most exciting and in-demand sports in the world" according to PDC chief executive Matt Porter.
However, 2021 world champion Price has another suggestion to add more glitz and glamour to proceedings.
Last year, two players achieved nine dart finishes - with Christian Kist and Damon Heta netting Ā£60,000 for their perfect legs - with two random fans also getting the same payment.
In the Premier League, Littler, Luke Humphries and Rob Cross were given 18ct solid gold darts but Price wants to up the ante by bringing in world championship rings which are commonly associated with NFL and the NBA.
Accompanied by a photoshopped ring on an Instagram post, Price wrote: "Golden darts for a 9 darter in the Premier League How about a World Championship winner Ring. Gold/diamond for the winner and Silver/diamond for runner up."
He also tagged both the PDC and partner Paddy Power, with neither yet to respond.
When news of the doubling prize money dropped in March, PDC chairman Eddie Hearn said the funds will "be increased across all levels within the PDC with unprecedented investment as the sport continues to rise into a true global powerhouse!".
2026 World Darts Championship prize funds
Winner: Ā£1,000,000
Runner-Up: Ā£400,000
Semi-Finalists: Ā£200,000
Quarter-Finalists: Ā£100,000
Last 16 losers: Ā£60,000
Last 32 losers: Ā£35,000
Last 64 losers: Ā£25,000
Last 128 losers: Ā£15,000
Total: Ā£5,000,000
One of the favourites for the competition, Price is 10th in the PDC rankings with earnings of Ā£497,500 over the past two years.
The tournament kicks off on 11 December 2025 and runs until 3 January 2026 when the final takes place.
Topics:Ā Darts, World Darts Championship
Josh Lawless