Gerwyn Price has revealed health issues, stood down from the World Cup of Darts, expanded his business interests and accepted a wildcard for the UK Open Pool Championship while still chasing Premier League play-offs
The Welsh darts figure Gerwyn Price has become a focal point of discussion after a series of candid admissions and decisions away from the oche. Ranked eighth in the PDC’s Order of Merit, Price has shown flashes of the form that underpinned his 2026 world title, but recent weeks have blended mixed results with public reflections on his wellbeing and new business commitments.
With the Premier League Darts run-in creating pressure and several events clustered in late May and June, the 41-year-old’s choices have drawn attention from fans and the media.
Price currently sits third in the Premier League table, yet his spot at the season-ending play-offs has not been secured mathematically.
After a heavy 6-2 defeat to fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton at a Leeds night, he openly spoke about his state of health, saying his focus remains but his body is not in ideal shape. He later confirmed that he would not take part in the upcoming World Cup of Darts for Wales, a decision he initially explained in private terms and then publicly clarified as not being due to illness via an Instagram post that included a trio of thumbs-up emojis.
Health, form and the Premier League picture
Price has been frank about battling health issues while trying to maintain competitive standards. Following the Leeds defeat and his comments that he was “not in a great place” health-wise, he stressed he is “battling on” in search of better results. The Welshman remains within touching distance of a top-four finish in the Premier League, which would qualify him for the play-offs on May 28 at The O2. The play-offs are a short, high-stakes knockout format that finalises the season winner, and securing a berth there is central to Price’s immediate ambitions.
Form has been inconsistent: despite reaching finals and showcasing strong scoring on occasion, Price has also endured early exits and underwhelming nights. His March loss by 8-3 to Wessel Nijman in the European Darts Trophy final left him emotionally drained and prompted social media reflections suggesting he might need a break. Those comments hinted at a temporary step back rather than full retirement, and he remains publicly committed to chasing trophies, stating ambitions to compete at a high level for years to come.
Business interests and retirement speculation
Outside of darts, Price has been building a portfolio of ventures that have shifted some of his attention from competition. He runs a farm in Treharris and is the proprietor of a chip shop called Chippy 501—a business he purchased in 2026 that occupies a former pharmacy in Markham. Price has admitted the new enterprise dragged at his focus initially: he installed cameras and monitored activity on his phone, quipping about the temptation of fish and chips and even giving himself a personal 10 per cent discount while staff and systems settled down. These real-world distractions were offered as partial explanations for uneven performances on the oche.
Financially, the businesses provide alternative income streams that could make a full-time exit from competitive darts viable if he chose that route. Yet Price has simultaneously voiced a desire to keep collecting honours, and in June 2026 he expressed a wish to continue playing at an elite level for another decade. His public musings about needing a break have therefore been framed as mental recovery rather than a definitive farewell.
Pool wildcard and the clash of calendars
In a notable cross-sport move, Price accepted a wildcard to compete in the UK Open Pool Championship at the Brentwood Centre from May 26-31, an event offering a total prize fund of £167,500. Price has long enjoyed pool as a passion—having appeared in exhibition settings including the Mosconi Cup—and said he is “in it to win it” rather than merely taking part. That decision creates a scheduling headache because the Premier League play-offs are fixed for May 28, a date that sits squarely within the pool tournament window. Price has been unequivocal that he intends to manage both commitments and is not attending the pool event just to make up the numbers; he wants to be competitive.
Implications for Wales and the World Cup line-up
With Price unavailable for selection at the World Cup, the PDC confirmed that Nick Kenny, ranked 60th, will partner Jonny Clayton for Wales. The World Cup is scheduled at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from 11th to 14th June, and Wales were runners-up last year. England’s top-ranked duo—Luke Littler and Luke Humphries—are set to lead their nation, while notable pairings from the Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland were also announced as part of the seeded groups. The tournament will feature a wide global field, including debut appearances from several countries, highlighting how Price’s withdrawal reshuffles selection but leaves Wales with capable cover.
What to watch next
Observers will monitor Price’s health updates, his performance at the pool event, and whether he can still clinch a Premier League play-off place on May 28. His mix of sporting ambition and entrepreneurial focus creates a narrative that spans competitive resilience, personal wellbeing and life beyond darts. Whatever the outcome, Price’s schedule and statements suggest he remains a central figure in the sport, juggling multiple priorities while seeking a return to consistent form.
