Price calls for World Championships to be moved amid Ally Pally crowd abuse

17 December 2023 , 17:00

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Gerwyn Price begins his World Championship campaign against Connor Scutt on Monday (Image: Getty Images)

World No.5 Gerwyn Price has called for the World Championships to be staged across Europe - rather than at Alexandra Palace every year.

Just 12 months ago, the 'Iceman' threatened never to play in the competition ever again after wearing ear-defenders during his shock quarter-final defeat against Gabriel Clemens. He said at the time: "Not sure I will ever play in this event again. So frustrating, you play all year round preparing for this one tournament."

Price is often renowned as being the pantomime villain at Ally Pally and fans mocked his loss against Clemens, taunting the Welshman. Chants of "what the f****** hell is that" could be heard across the around 10,000 capacity arena as the 2021 world champion crashed out.

Despite his January claim, Price is back and competing in his 10th World Championship, with the 38-year-old set to go head-to-head against Connor Scutt in the last 64 on Monday. Ahead of beginning his quest for a second world title, Price, however, doesn't think the tournament should be hosted solely in England and claimed it "should move to different parts of the world".

"I want to win it when the family's there, not watching on TV from 200 miles away," Price said. "And I want to lift that trophy again when I can show it off and it's not locked up in my kitchen. I don't class 2021 as a win because it was sterile, it was like the Home Tour when we were playing in our living rooms.

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"It may be the World Championship, but for me it's not the real thing when it's behind closed doors. Not for me, it isn't. Can I win it again? Sure... when it goes to Wales, Germany or wherever. That's what happens with other sports – their World Cup or World Championship is played in different countries.

Gerwyn Price wore ear-defenders during his shock quarter-final defeat against Gabriel Clemens last year (Getty Images)

‌"I think it's only right that the tournament should move to different parts of the world, and then I'll have a better chance. Germany is becoming a huge market for the PDC and darts is growing massively all over Europe.

"So, if they were to move it to Germany, Holland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Belgium I don't see any reason why they can't host it. I know darts has a lot of history invested in Ally Pally, but things change and you have to move on and move with the times. It used to be at the Circus Tavern, and with the way the game is going, and the strength in depth in all corners of the world, I think the tournament needs to have a new home now."

Kieran King