Category: PDC NEWS

Price: I’m not scared of anyone

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PUMPED-UP Gerwyn Price has vowed that he’s “not scared of anyone” ahead of the World Series of Darts.

The two-time Grand Slam champion is brimming with belief after winning the Autumn Series in Germany earlier this week.

Price, 35, is third favourite going into the Salzburg event in front of fans for the first time since March. But not even Michael van Gerwen worries him and reckons he can take his throne as World No.1.

He said: “I don’t care who I play now. Even Michael at his best against me at my best I think I turn him over.

“That’s how confident I am. I’m not scared of anyone anymore, the biggest threat to me is myself.

I only need to win the Worlds and have a couple of good runs in other majors and I think I will be world number one.

“And that’s the difference in the past 18 months. I’m full of confidence and winning leads to that.

“If I play my best game then I am the best player in the world. I want to win everything, I don’t just target certain events. Every tournament I go into I think I can win.”

The Iceman is 9/2 to claim the World Series behind MVG and Peter Wright and he reckons having fans back will help him.

He added: “I’m going into the World Series Finals with confidence and I’m looking forward to playing in front of a crowd again.

“I definitely prefer playing in front of a crowd and I think it brings the best out of me.

“I just want to carry on from where I’ve left off. I know I’m playing well, I’ve had two good days and hopefully I can carry this form into the weekend and the other ranking events for the rest of the year.

“I think everybody will be up for it this weekend though, not just me.”

BoyleSports Extend Major Sponsorships.

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BoyleSports are to continue their support of PDC tournaments as title sponsors of the 2020 Grand Slam of Darts.

(PIC LAWRENCE LUSTIG)

Ireland’s largest retail bookmaker will be the title sponsor of the prestigious event in November for a second successive year, in addition to their ongoing support of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix.

The BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts will be held from November 14-22, with the 32 competing players including World Champion Peter Wright, reigning champion Gerwyn Price, world number one Michael van Gerwen and BDO Champions Wayne Warren and Mikuru Suzuki.

“In these challenging times we are ever grateful for the continued backing of BoyleSports,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“Alongside their sponsorship of the World Grand Prix, BoyleSports are now supporting two of the sport’s biggest events during what is set to be an exciting autumn.

“The Grand Slam of Darts is a unique tournament providing spectacular entertainment, and with stars like Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen and Dimitri Van den Bergh in action, this year’s event promises to be another memorable one.”

BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Last year’s event in Wolverhampton saw Price defeat Wright in the final to conclude nine days of exciting action in an event which begins with a round-robin group stage before 16 players progress to the knockout phase to challenge for the title.

BoyleSports are also the principle sponsors for football clubs Birmingham City and Coventry City, 

BoyleSports CEO Conor Gray said: “We are delighted to enhance our commitment to sponsorship in the Midlands by supporting two of the biggest events on the PDC calendar.

“The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will be first up in October and we are looking forward with great anticipation to see the world’s best players pitted against each other at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. 

“It’s also thrilling to sponsor the Grand Slam again following on from the success of 12 months ago when we watched Gerwyn Price defend his title so well in Wolverhampton.”

To celebrate the new sponsorship, BoyleSports are offering a special betting market for any player to complete the “BoyleSports Double” by winning the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts titles.

Van Gerwen is 8/1 to win both events, with Wright a 25/1 chance, Price 33/1 and Gary Anderson rated at 50/1. For further information, please see www.boylesports.com.

ALLY PALLY IS ON!

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PDC boss Matt Porter has vowed this year’s World Championships WILL take place at Alexandra Palace.

The PDC are still awaiting more information from the Government over whether any fans will be allowed in to watch the
biggest event in the sport’s calendar. But the PDC chief promised that the biggest tournament will go ahead.
Porter told the SportsPro Live virtual conference:

“In terms of our planning, I wouldn’t say we have wrinkles – we have great big creases. There is no definite plan – other than it will take place.


“At this stage we don’t know the scenario.”“We may have 0 percent of fans allowed, it could be 10, 50, or, as we’d like, 100%.”


“But at Matchroom, we are independent and flexible.” “As long as we have a month’s notice, we can sell tickets.”


Price Claims Another Title.

Posted on | by Phil Lanning | Leave a Comment on Price Claims Another Title.

GERWYN PRICE admits he’s got to stop beating himself up after a very strong comeback to snatch day four of the Autumn Series.

The World No.3 came from 7-4 down to grab an 8-7 victory over Devon Petersen in the final in Niedernhausen, Germany. The Iceman delivered a consistent day of displays including ton-plus averages in wins over Ryan Murray and Ryan Searle.

Price admits that missing out on a Premier League play-off place on the final night is not affecting him.

He said:

“It probably feels the same as the Premier League. You are stuck in a bubble just playing on a board and a live stream.

It’s probably just a glorified ProTour. This week is exactly the same as that.

“It was out of my hands. I had to do what I did and won my game. Nathan went and beat Glen and fair play to him, he played fantastic, he took out some great shots and he deserves to be where he is.“

The Premier League isn’t what we all know. It’s not the be-all and end-all. I’m here to win ranking points and I’ve won a tournament today and if I can win again tomorrow then happy days.“

It’s into the World Series next week, that’s another freebie another practice

and I’ll look forward to more ranking tournaments at the end of the year.“

You can just play. What else can you do? You’ve just got to turn up and do the best you can. You can’t change the environment. Sometimes I beat myself up, I’ve just got to be a bit more positive in my head.”

It was a heartbreaking end to a fabulous day for Petersen who missed four match darts to wrap up his first-ever PDC title.Prior to that the South African had whitewashed World No.1 Michael van Gerwen 6-0 and hit an average of 110 in beating Nathan Aspinall.

Picture by Taylor Lanning.

Anderson Backs Out Of Summer Series

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GARY ANDERSON has revealed that he’s not willing to take a “risk” flying after pulling out of the Autumn Series in Niedernhausen and World Series of Darts Final in Salzburg.

The Flying Scotsman made the announcement this morning just 48 hours after qualifying for the Unibet Premier League finals.

Anderson has previously expressed his concerns over leaving the UK to compete and now has confirmed he won’t place in jeopardy the health of his family going abroad.

He said:

“We’ve been discussing the Autumn series for a few weeks now and I’d be delighted to play in it if it was in the UK. 

“But every time I turn on the news I see another country removed from the travel corridor and infections rising around Europe and the rest of the World. 

“I’m just not comfortable with the travel involved right now. I need to fly and although I’m confident in my mask wearing and adhering to all the things I should do, I have little faith in other people.

“I’ve watched people outside from the safety of the Milton Keynes bubble and there seems little regard for safety and distancing, so imagine that multiplied on a plane! 

“I don’t want to risk my health or the health of the family.

“I’m disappointed for my sponsors and fans that I won’t be there, but I’ve always said health and family are my priority.

“The PDC have made Niedernhausen a bubble and players will be tested, and Salzburg is a bubble – but I still need to fly to get to these places and even driving would mean transiting through non travel corridor countries. And they are on a red list for a reason!

“I’ve been playing well at the Premier League but I’m afraid that flying is a risk I’m not willing to take.

I’ve now got the World Grand Prix in Coventry to look forward to next.”

The PDC have confirmed that Krzysztof Ratajski will replace Anderson in the World Series of Darts finals.

Pictures by Taylor Lanning

Grand Prix Goes To The Ricoh.

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The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will be held behind closed doors at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena from October 6-12 2020.

Image result for ricoh arena coventry

The famous double-start tournament had been due to be held for a 20th time at Dublin’s Citywest Convention Centre later this year, with the venue having become a popular destination for darts fans since first hosting the World Grand Prix in 2001.

However, the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic mean that it is not possible for the World Grand Prix to be held in Dublin in 2020, as the event follows the World Matchplay and Premier League in being staged behind closed doors.

The World Grand Prix will now take place from October 6-12 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, a venue which has previously hosted the Premier League as well as a number of PDC ProTour weekends.

“The BoyleSports World Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the PDC calendar and whilst we’re disappointed we will not be at the Citywest Convention Centre in 2020, we can now look forward to an exciting and entertaining event at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry,” said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter. 

“We saw an outstanding standard of play at the recent World Matchplay and are sure that will continue in the World Grand Prix,

which remains a challenging and unique event due to the double-start format.

“The Citywest Convention Centre remains part of our plans for 2021 and beyond and we thank them for their support in exploring all options for the event to have taken place in Dublin this year.”

Ricoh Arena Commercial Venue Director Paul Michael said: 

“We are really excited and honoured to be able to host the 2020 BoyleSports World Grand Prix behind closed doors.

“This event will strengthen our relationship with the PDC, and demonstrate the diversity of the venue and its ambition to encourage more elite sports to Coventry.”

Play will commence with the first round split across two nights on October 6-7, with the second round taking place on October 8-9.

The quarter-finals will be held on Saturday October 10, with the semi-finals on Sunday October 11 and the final on Monday October 12.

Coverage will be shown on Sky Sports, as well as through the PDC’s international broadcast partners including RTL7 and DAZN and for PDCTV Rest of the World Subscribers.

2020 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Tuesday October 6 (1900 BST)
8x First Round

Wednesday October 7 (1900 BST)
8x First Round

Thursday October 8 (1900 BST)
4x Second Round

Friday October 9 (1900 BST)
4x Second Round

Saturday October 10 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals

Sunday October 11 (1900 BST)
Semi-Finals

Monday October 12 (2000 BST)
Final

ARTICLE BY DAVE ALLEN

PDC Autumn Series Venue Change:

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The PDC Autumn Series is to move from Hildesheim to Niedernhausen for September’s six days of competitive action.

The Autumn Series – comprising five Players Championship events from September 12-16 – will be preceded by the World Series of Darts Finals Qualifier on Friday September 11.

Due to recent changes to both flight schedules and travel advisories, the Autumn Series has been switched from Halle 39 in Hildesheim to the Conference Centre at the H+ Hotel in Niedernhausen.

The venue and on-site hotel will comprise a secure and exclusive “bubble” for players and staff for the duration of the tournaments.

“This change has been carefully considered in response to the ever evolving pandemic situation in different territories,” said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter.

 “As with everything we have done since returning to action, the health and safety of our players and staff is our top priority,

and we believe this is the right thing to do.

“We have a large number of non-UK Tour Card Holders and staging events outside the UK is absolutely fair, but only if it can be done under satisfactory conditions, and we will be able to achieve that in Niedernhausen.

“Following several flight cancellations in to Hannover and the confirmation of the World Series Finals in Salzburg being able to take place immediately afterwards, it became apparent that travel to and from Hildesheim would be more challenging, and with players and staff due to be spread across various hotels, we have worked with our partners at PDC Europe and the PDPA to replicate the bubble environment that has worked so well for us in Milton Keynes.

“We will provide transport for players from Frankfurt airport where possible

and are establishing testing protocols to ensure the events are played in a fully quarantined environment.

“We have been in contact with players regarding travel arrangements and most had not yet finalised their details, but any who have are asked to contact the PDPA directly so that their situation can be resolved.

“For everyone else, we advise direct travel either to Niedernhausen by road where possible and suitable but otherwise a direct flight in to Frankfurt am Main airport is the best option and accommodation details are being provided to players by the PDPA for booking through PDC Europe.”

Venue & Hotel details:
H+ Hotel Wiesbaden Niedernhausen
Zum Grauen Stein 1 
65527 Niedernhausen
Germany

The five Players Championship events at the PDC Autumn Series from September 12-16 will be broadcast live through PDCTV, including coverage from two boards simultaneously. Subscribe to PDCTV via this link.

Women’s Series Venue Shift.

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The PDC Women’s Series weekend from October 16-18 has moved from Cannock to the Barnsley Metrodome due to issues with the venue.

FALLON SHERROCK Pic: Christopher Dean

The three days of action will begin with a Grand Slam of Darts Qualifier on Friday, October 16, with one place in November’s tournament on offer.

The action on Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18 will see two Women’s Series events held on each day, offering £5,000 in prize money apiece.

The mini-tour will then see the top two players secure places in the William Hill World Darts Championship.

Entry will be £25 per player per event, and the PDC Women’s Series will be open to all female players aged 16 and above. Entry is free to the Grand Slam of Darts Qualifier.

Entry for the PDC Women’s Series is available via www.pdcplayers.com, with players who have not previously competed in PDC events needing to Register with the system first.

2020 PDC Women’s Series
Friday, October 16 – Grand Slam of Darts Qualifier
Saturday, October 17 – PDC Women’s Series Events One & Two
Sunday, October 18 – PDC Women’s Series Events Three & Four

Venue
Barnsley Metrodome
Queens Ground
Queens Road
Barnsley
S71 1AN

Grand Slam Field Filling Up.

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The qualification structure for the 2020 Grand Slam of Darts has been confirmed ahead of November’s tournament.

The 32-player tournament traditionally features players from both the PDC and BDO systems competing across nine days in Wolverhampton.

PDC players primarily qualify by reaching the final of a televised PDC Premier Event during each year, with this year’s representatives being headlined by reigning Grand Slam champion Gerwen Price and World Champion Peter Wright.

UK Open and Players Championship Finals winner Michael van Gerwen and World Youth Champion Luke Humphries are joined by recent World Matchplay winner Dimitri Van den Bergh in securing Grand Slam spots.

2020 PDC Home Tour winner Nathan Aspinall and James Wade, the highest-placed non-qualified player from the PDC Summer Series Order of Merit, will also compete in the event, with further places going to players from the Autumn Series and Winter Series.

In addition, World Matchplay runner-up Gary Anderson, Masters finalist Michael Smith and World Youth Championship runner-up Adam Gawlas are also in line to compete in the Grand Slam.

Further places in the tournament will be on offer for the finalists of the Premier League, World Series of Darts Finals, World Grand Prix, European Championship and World Cup of Darts, as well as to one player from the Women’s Qualifier in October.

The reserve list, comprised of winners of European Tour and Players Championship events, currently includes Ryan Searle, Krzysztof Ratajski, Ian White and Ryan Joyce.

2020 BDO Champion Wayne Warren and 2020 BDO Women’s Champion Mikuru Suzuki will be invited to compete in the Grand Slam of Darts for a second successive year.

However, due to the lack of confirmed events within the BDO and elsewhere in amateur darts, there will be no further BDO invites or invitations to players from outside the PDC system in 2020.

After the automatic qualifying routes are concluded, eight places will be on offer at the PDC Tour Card Holder Qualifier.

The qualification system will be reviewed for 2021, including the position of invitations to non-PDC players.

2020 Grand Slam of Darts – Qualifying Structure
PDC Competitors
Qualifying Players: (invited in the following order up to a maximum of 22 players. Current provisional qualifiers in Bold) 
2019/20 PDC World Champion; PETER WRIGHT – 1
2019 Grand Slam Champion; GERWYN PRICE – 2
2020 Premier League Champion; 
2020 World Matchplay Champion; DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH – 3
2020 World Grand Prix Champion; 
2019 World Youth Champion; LUKE HUMPHRIES – 4
2020 Masters Champion; (Peter Wright)
2020 UK Open Champion; MICHAEL VAN GERWEN – 5
2020 European Champion; 
2019 Players Champion; (Michael van Gerwen)
2020 World Series of Darts Finals Champion; 
2020 World Cup winners; 
2020 PDC Home Tour Champion: NATHAN ASPINALL – 6
2020 PDC Summer Series OOM Highest-Placed Player: JAMES WADE – 7
2020 PDC Autumn Series OOM Highest-Placed Player:
2020 PDC Winter Series OOM Highest-Placed Player:
2020 PDC Women’s Qualifier: 
2019/20 PDC World Championship runner-up; (Michael van Gerwen)
2019 Grand Slam runner-up; (Peter Wright)
2020 Premier League runner-up; 
2020 World Matchplay runner-up; GARY ANDERSON – 8
2020 World Grand Prix runner-up; 
2019 World Youth Championship runner-up; ADAM GAWLAS – 9
2020 Masters runner-up; MICHAEL SMITH – 10
2020 UK Open runner-up; (Gerwyn Price)
2020 European Championship runner-up; 
2019 Players Championship runner-up; (Gerwyn Price)
2020 World Series of Darts Finals runner-up; 
2020 World Cup runners-up (2 players with highest individual taking preference if only one spot available); 

This list can produce a maximum of 31 players. If it produces more than 22 players, they shall be taken in order as listed above and no further players shall qualify automatically. (CURRENTLY 10 QUALIFIED WITH 12 PLACES REMAINING)

If it produces fewer than 22 places then additional places shall be filled from the reserve list in the following order:
2020 European Tour winners (in Order of Merit order at Nov 9): (Gerwyn Price ET1)
2020 Players Championship winners (in Order of Merit order at Nov 9): (Gary Anderson PC1), (Nathan Aspinall PC2, PC7), RYAN SEARLE (PC3) , KRZYSZTOF RATAJSKI (PC4), (Peter Wright PC5, PC13), (Gerwyn Price PC6), IAN WHITE (PC8), (Michael van Gerwen PC9, PC11), RYAN JOYCE (PC10), (James Wade PC12) 

Players shall be separated within the reserve list first by the number of Events in each category they have won and then by their position in the PDC main Order of Merit on the cut-off date.

Once 22 players are reached from the above criteria then the remaining ten places shall be filled with eight players from a PDC Full Member qualifier and two invited players from the BDO system.

BDO Invited Players
WAYNE WARREN – 2020 BDO Champion
MIKURU SUZUKI – 2020 BDO Women’s Champion

Official PDC Logo

Premier League – More Rescheduled Nights.

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A further four nights of the Unibet Premier League are to be staged behind closed doors in Milton Keynes from September 3-6, replacing the planned events in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

The Premier League season, which has been on hold since March, will return later this month with six nights being held at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

Those six nights – from August 25-30 – will now be followed after a three-day break by the remaining four league nights of the regular season from September 3-6.

In addition, should it not be possible to stage the Play-Offs at The O2 in London with a crowd as planned on Thursday October 22, a further night behind closed doors will be added in Milton Keynes on Wednesday September 2, making Sunday September 6 the Play-Offs.

“We have continued to work with all relevant parties in recent weeks in a bid to stage these four Unibet Premier League nights with a crowd,” said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter.

“As we are still not able to guarantee this and bearing in mind the need to provide clarity for fans with tickets to these events, we will now be staging a further four nights behind closed doors in Milton Keynes.

“We are continuing to work with The O2 in a bid to end the season in style with the Play-Offs in front of a live crowd on Thursday October 22 if practicable, with the option of adding a further night in September in Milton Keynes available should this not be possible.”

Fans with tickets to any of the rescheduled nights will have their booking transferred to the equivalent night of the 2021 Premier League, as follows:
Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday February 18
The Manchester Arena – Thursday March 25
The FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield – Thursday April 15
The SSE Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday May 6

Any fans wishing to receive a refund must apply to their point of purchase (the Box Office where they bought their tickets).

2020 Unibet Premier League
Revised Schedule – At August 13 2020
Night 7 – Tuesday August 25, Milton Keynes
Night 8 – Wednesday August 26, Milton Keynes
Judgement Night – Thursday August 27, Milton Keynes
Night 10 – Friday August 28, Milton Keynes
Night 11 – Saturday August 29, Milton Keynes
Night 12 – Sunday August 30, Milton Keynes
Night 13 – Thursday September 3, Milton Keynes
Night 14 – Friday September 4, Milton Keynes
Night 15 – Saturday September 5, Milton Keynes
Night 16 – Sunday September 6, Milton Keynes
Play-Offs – Thursday October 22, The O2, London

2021 Premier League Schedule
Night 1 – Thursday February 4, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Night 2 – Thursday February 11, 3Arena, Dublin
Night 3 – Thursday February 18, Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Night 4 – Thursday February 25, Rotterdam Ahoy
Night 5 – Thursday March 4, Westpoint Exeter
Night 6 – Thursday March 11, The SSE Arena, Belfast
Night 7 – Thursday March 18, Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Night 8 – Thursday March 25, The Manchester Arena
Night 9 – Thursday April 1, The Brighton Centre
Night 10 – Thursday April 8, M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Night 11 – Thursday April 15, The FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield
Night 12 – Thursday April 22, P&J Live, Aberdeen
Night 13 – Thursday April 29, Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Night 14 – Thursday May 6, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Night 15 – Thursday May 13, First Direct Arena, Leeds
Night 16 – Thursday May 20, The O2, London
Play-Offs – Thursday May 27, Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin