Gerwyn Price makes sudden last-minute withdrawal decision ahead of Premier League Darts play-offs
Gerwyn Price has made a surprise withdrawal decision from a tournament ahead of the Premier League Darts play-offs, where he is due to face Luke Littler at London’s O2 Arena
13:34, 26 May 2026Updated 14:10, 26 May 2026
Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from the UK Open Pool Championship(Image: Getty Images)
Gerywn Price has made the shock decision to withdraw from the UK Open Pool Championship, just 48 hours before the Premier League Darts play-offs.
Price was scheduled to face Kostiantyn Ivanov this afternoon in a tournament that includes Barry Hearn and talkSPORT’s Andy Goldstein, and the ‘Iceman’ even hinted he might even skip the play-offs to compete in it.
Speaking in April after it was confirmed that Price would indeed swap darts for a cue ahead of the UK Open Pool Championship, he told Sky Sports: “I went and watched the Mosconi Cup and have taken some interest in nine-ball pool, and got an invite to the UK Open.
“So, I’ll take it with both hands and give it a crack. Hopefully I make the Premier League Darts play-offs, first of all. If I do, with the pool, I think I could possibly play on the Tuesday. It’s double-elimination, so I’ll still be in for a couple days after that. Then maybe break up a bit on Thursday [for the darts], and Friday-Saturday I should be playing [pool] again hopefully.”
“I’m in it to win it,” Price added. “I wouldn’t turn up if I didn’t think I could win. I’m half decent! They’re good players but I’m there to win.”
However, Price has now decided to pull out of the pool event at the eleventh hour, as he instead prepares to face Luke Littler in the Premier League Darts semi-final at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday night.
Gerwyn Price has pulled out of the UK Open Pool Championship(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
When it was announced that Price would compete in the UK Open Pool Championship, it was uncertain whether he would be in the Premier League Darts play-offs, as he battled the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen for the final two top-four spots.
In the end, Price secured his place at the O2 on Night 15 in Birmingham earlier this month, as he reached the final before losing against Luke Humphries at the Utilita Arena.
There was then the small matter on deciding Price’s opponent for the semi-final at the play-offs, and it was between second-place Jonny Clayton and leader Luke Littler.
As Humphries progressed further than Price on Night 16 in Sheffield last Thursday, it meant the ‘Iceman’ had to settle for fourth spot and will therefore entertain Littler.
