PRICE: MOVE WORLDS AWAY FROM ALLY PALLY
18/12/2023 By Phil Lanning
GERWYN PRICE has suggested that the World Championship should move around the globe and not stay at Ally Pally every year.
The Welshman lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy during the pandemic year of 2021, beating Gary Anderson in the final.
The famous North London venue first held the Worlds in 2007 and has become the spiritual home of the sport.
But with World Championships and World Cups held in different countries, Price feels darts should follow suit.
The Iceman, 38, said: “I think it’s only right. That’s what happens with other sports. You should have equal rights that the tournament goes to different parts of the world.
“And then I think I’ll have a bit of a better chance of winning!
“Germany is becoming a huge market for the PDC and darts is growing immensely all over Europe.
“Maybe move it to Germany, Holland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Belgium. I don’t see any reason why they can’t do it.
“I know they have the history with Ally Pally but times move on, things change. It used to be at the Circus Tavern years ago and they moved on.
“With the way the game is going, and the strength-in-depth in every country in all corners of the world, the tournament needs to have a new home now and again.
“”Maybe you could have it two years in London, two years in Holland, two years in Germany, two years in Wales.”
There are times when the crowd at Ally Pally pick a side and put the other player off simply because of the London venue and the audience it attracts.
The world No.5, tonight faces Connor Scutt in the second round, said: “If that final was played in Scotland, Gary probably wins.
“Ally Pally isn’t the biggest venue by any means. It doesn’t hold as many fans as some of the Premier League venues.
The game is getting bigger, there are bigger venues out there, so it’s possible to have a change.
“Whether the PDC are willing to do that, with the history of Ally Pally, I don’t know.
“German Ricardo Pietreczko is a fantastic player and won his first European Tour event in his home country.
“Then you have England’s Luke Humphries winning his first major in front of English crowds.
“I won the Premier League night in Cardiff. There is the effect of a home crowd and it does help. It’s only fair that it gets moved about a bit.”
Jonny Clayton, Price’s two-time World Cup-winning team-mate, said: “I don’t think you’d be able to take the World Championship from Ally Pally.
“Logistically it’s easier for everyone to get into and out of London at Christmas, whether that’s players or fans.
“Maybe the World Cup of Darts could move each year to the country that’s defending it.
“I know where Gezzy’s coming from, and I wouldn’t mind playing in front of a Welsh crowd at the World Championship. But I think it’s just meant to be at Ally Pally.”
Images by Taylor Lanning.
