PRICE WARNS UK OPEN VENUE TOO COLD AND TOUGH TO PLAY
05/03/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
GERWYN PRICE insists the UK Open does not favour him after admitting the venue is “freezing cold” and difficult to play in.
‘The Iceman’ reached his first major final at the event in 2017 but lost to Peter Wright and has yet to claim the title since.
World No.10 Price has won an impressive seven PDC Premier events, though his last triumph came back in 2022 at the World Series Finals.
Price knows winning the ranked televised event at Butlin’s Minehead Resort would boost his confidence and fire him back up the rankings.
He told Red Dragon Darts: “The ones that I haven’t won, like the UK Open and Players Championship Finals — there are a few on the list that I want to tick off.
“That is one of them. If I go and win that and get myself back up the rankings, it’s just going to build on the confidence and make things easier going forward.
“It is great. You can draw anyone; the hardest part is not knowing who you are going to be playing.
“I prepare as if I am playing the first game. I feel like Butlin’s is not a good venue for me. I don’t know why — the surroundings, and it is always freezing cold there.
“It is a difficult place to play. I just think now if I get to these semis and finals, I just have to take the opportunities.”
The Markham thrower has started the year in fine fashion, winning Players Championship Six and reaching the semi-finals of the World Masters.
Price believes he possesses the best A-game on tour with his powerful scoring and has vowed to play in as many tournaments as possible while his form remains strong.
He added: “I think if I am at my ultimate best, I am probably one of the toughest to beat.
“I’m not sure if it is the best, but I believe it is. If you look at other players like Michael [van Gerwen] and the Lukes, when their A-game is there it is good.
“But I still back myself anytime. I just want to try and continue the form. Even though I am playing alright and it is good to miss a few tournaments to recharge your batteries.
“I just think whilst the momentum is there I need to keep moving forward and play as much as I can.
“I am only going to be sat in the house and keeping an eye on ProTour’s to see how people are doing.
“It is better to be there in the situation playing.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
