Smith wants PDC to introduce new tournament formats

ROSS SMITH has called for the PDC to shake up its tournament formats and believes “the sky is the limit” for new ideas.

The world No.15 reckons darts is in such a strong position that there is no need for a wholesale overhaul but insists there are plenty of ways to add variety to the sport.

Smith, 37, suggests introducing pairs events and alternative scoring systems, could help keep fans entertained.

He told talkSPORT: “I think there is no limit with it. The sky is the limit. I think you can do so much to revamp it a bit.

“The thing is darts is in such a good place now anyway, so why change it if that makes sense.

“But there is loads of tournaments that you can do. You can do 1001. Everything is 501, best of six legs.

“A lot of the players hate the double start at the Grand Prix. I love it because it is different.

“I just think you can do so many different things. You can do a pairs one or anything.

“I remember doing an exhibition in France and I found it brilliant. They put a stage in the middle of this huge arena.

“Literally in between games they had a live band playing a concert. I think there is about 8000 people in the crowd.

“So you did a walk-on onto the stage to say hello to the crowd. Then you walk onto the darts stage.

“It was weird but it really worked. Even things like that when Sky go off air for their interviews to get the crowd going.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning