"Darts is going global" — Josh Rock hails first Saudi event as 'great for the sport'

Josh Rock has welcomed Matchroom’s decision to stage a World Series stop in Saudi Arabia as “great for the sport,” while acknowledging the broader debate around the move — a debate that centres less on geography and more on questions about sportswashing and the optics of wealthy state-backed investment.

Speaking to Dartsnews.com among other outlets in his post-match press conference following his nervy 2–1 win over Ryan Joyce at the World Grand Prix in Leicester, Rock said the chance to play in new territories is positive for darts. “Somewhere I’ve never been before, and great for darts,” he said. “I don’t think darts has ever been to Saudi Arabia before — first time outside of Dubai really — so it’d be fantastic. Boxing’s already there, and it’s good that darts is going global too.”

That stance sits alongside a rising chorus of concern among commentators and rights advocates. The unease is not simply that events are moving beyond Europe, but that the involvement of Saudi money — and figures closely associated with it — is widely viewed through the prism of sportswashing. Critics point to the influence of Turki Al-Sheikh, and to growing ties between Saudi investors and Matchroom figures such as Barry and Eddie Hearn, as reasons to scrutinise whether sporting partnerships are being used to soften international perceptions of the Saudi regime. Some observers even warn that a World Series stop could be an early step toward greater Saudi involvement in the sport’s calendar.

Rock, however, framed the issue more practically. “It’s good for the sport to get around the world,” he said, noting that while there have been changes to the calendar — fewer World Series events but extra European Tour dates — the expansion opens new opportunities for players and fans: “A lot of people have never been to Poland, never been to Slovakia. I’ve never been to Poland and stuff like that. So yeah, next year I hope it’s a hectic year for myself.”

While the wider debate played out off-stage, Rock’s priority was much more immediate. The 23-year-old finally recorded his first World Grand Prix victory, coming from a set down to beat Joyce and move into the second round to face Gerwyn Price.

“I’m just happy I’m still here,” Rock said afterwards. “Everybody knows I kept switching between 16s and tops, but they both felt good tonight. I’d never won a set here before, and that was in my head. I think that’s why I lost the first one — I should’ve won it 3–0, no disrespect to Ryan. But I dug deep, worked hard, and got the win.”

He admitted the finish was crucial. “I had to. If I hadn’t hit the 108, I think he’d have finished it. If that double 16 didn’t go in, I’d have been beaten.”

Rock’s victory brings an immediate high-profile test: a second-round meeting with Gerwyn Price — a fixture that already promises fireworks given recent encounters. Yet Rock is measured in his ambition while still unequivocal about his aims.

“I’m not here to lose. I’m here to win the title, same as everyone else. You just need that first one under your belt, and I’m grateful I’ve got it,” he said. On elite status he was equally clear: “I’ll not class myself as elite until I’m in the Premier League. I don’t care if I’m top ten in the world — that doesn’t make you elite. When you’re in the Premier League, you’re in the spotlight for 17 weeks straight. That’s when you’re one of the elite players.”

Phil Taylor’s counsel — “Go for tops the whole time” — was mentioned with a smile, Rock admitting he had “kept chopping and changing” between Taylor’s advice and his own instincts to go for 16s. He also brushed off the notion that he wants Luke Littler’s spotlight: “Me and Luke are very close… he’s won everything except this and the European Championships. He’s probably thinking, ‘Let someone else have a bit.’”

Rock’s win was as much psychological as it was technical: a first set and a first match win at the Grand Prix removed a long-standing barrier and gave the youngster momentum. His public welcome for a Saudi World Series event sits against more complex questions about sport, money and morality. Rock emphasises the practical benefits of playing in new markets; others ask whether the sport has a duty to scrutinise the partners it chooses.

For now, Rock’s focus is straightforward: build on the confidence of Leicester, beat Price, and keep advancing. Beyond the board, the debate over Saudi involvement in sport will continue — measured, critical and attentive to both opportunity and consequence.