DISCUSSION | Is Gerwyn Price's Premier League Darts WWE type format change worth listening to or is it far fetched?

The Premier League Darts comes to a close next week at The O2 with a champion crowned between Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price. But as ever as the Premier League heads towards a close, it is time for reflection.

Gerwyn Price mooted an idea on social media on Monday, which is worth discussing regarding a new format which is akin to the Royal Rumble in WWE, where up to 26 players could be used, and we get a last man standing at the end of the tournament who wins a belt, Prize Money, and also a spot in next year's Premier League.

Price also wanted a return to the 10 that had previously been a feature of the Premier League, ironically a concept which, in the end, was deemed boring also by some and was changed to the eight with the contenders then added, and now the weekly tournament.

But the issue for many remains that while the PDC says that fans want a weekly winner, it also sees the advent of all the top names facing each other multiple times, so it becomes a bit stale and cumbersome at times, more so because the big matches no longer have that 'big fight feel'. But would our editors change the format, go the way of Gerwyn Price, or do something completely different?

Samuel Gill, Head Editor for DartsNews.com believes that the WWE concept would work and that the Premier League needs to shift with the times and stop producing Littler v Humphries 50 times a year: As a WWE fan since the age of eight and now deep into my 20's, I'm a fan of the Royal Rumble concept. It is the one wrestling PPV I watch every single year without fail and think that Price's idea of having something similar is very much one that I can get on board with.

The Premier League both as someone covering it and also someone who loves darts is stale and is a chore. The PDC often give lip service with the idea that fans want a winner in the arena but the tournament sells out anyway which surely should discern from the excuse to keep it the way it is.

It is like saying that people only go to music festivals when the line-up is released, when those who were planning to go anyway would likely buy tickets if they believe in the product, and people will eventually start to vote with their feet in reality, and also their wallet. Whether that is deciding not to buy tickets or not watch it on TV.

Players from outside the higher echelons do care about the fact that they don't get the chance, and this Last Man Standing gives them a moment in the spotlight, adds intrigue, but also likely prize money no matter what so ticks all boxes for me. Also, I like the fact that while Price has come up with this hair-brain scheme, he still wants the main format continuing as such but back to the old one with weekly games and 10 players. That will keep it fresh too, as we don't get Littler v Humphries 50 times, which, while the PDC may promote it like it's a good thing, isn't really for the paying customer who wants to be intrigued by a match, not sick to the back teeth of it.

I'm all for it as a wrestling fan myself and someone who enjoys that side of sport, I can see why those who perhaps don't like WWE won't but you've got to take yourself away from that dislike as such to cloud your judgement and think would Alan Soutar in Scotland for instance, Wessel Nijman in Amsterdam being roared on by their fans for example having been unveiled with fans not knowing who they are going to get add excitement? Yes. Is the Premier League Darts devoid of excitement currently? Yes.

Lucas Michael, Editor for DartsNews.com likes the idea and says that others like Aspinall, Wade and Noppert can now take steps towards being back or joining the fold if the format got expanded: I like the idea Gerwyn Price put forward about the format change. I was a huge advocate of the knockout format when that was introduced in 2022, but since then you know what is coming and usually the same players are facing off in the latter stages. Unless you are there at the scene, it is a bit boring to be honest.

Making the switch halfway through while adding another two players back into the fray is a great call. The jeopardy halfway through the tournament will be hugely engaging for fans compared to it being rather stale at the moment. Adding two new players into the tournament will also hush arguments and debates about who gets in to an extent. For example, two of Nathan Aspinall, James Wade and Danny Noppert would be competing in it and taking in what many thought was a deserved place in the 17-week event.

As for the royal rumble idea, I am not so sure. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the idea, but not in the Premier League. There is another place for it, whether in an exhibition or a standalone event, which does not offer any ranking benefit. For me, the Premier League itself should be engaging enough, with the main talking point being the road to the O2 and Finals Night. Although I am a huge fan of the walk-on idea, where the chosen players are kept secret. How they would do that without any leaks, I am not sure, and my only objection to that single event, but seeing a random player reveal themselves would be a great laugh.

In conclusion, I think it could be a really fun and engaging idea that would allow the players to share a smile and laugh on stage while engaging with the fans, but not in the Premier League. It is supposed to be a major event, and this would take it more to an exhibition as many see it now.

Nicolas Gayer, Editor for DartsNews.DE followed that point up by saying that when he is not working, the tournament stays off and he prefers to watch football in a pretty damning indictment of the current format.

Alright, where do you even start? I’ll go right back to the basics: I love darts, and yet my television has stayed off on Thursday nights for almost two years now — unless there is football on. I simply no longer enjoy the current Premier League Darts format. The constant repetition has made the PDC’s elite league unbearable for me: the same players, the same walk-ons, the same structure. The Premier League lost me a long time ago.

Does that mean change is needed? Absolutely. That is why, in principle, I think it is very positive that Gerwyn Price, one of the sport’s most important voices, is thinking about the issue and putting his ideas forward. And the proposed format definitely has its appeal — but in my view, it also has its drawbacks.

Let’s start with perhaps the biggest talking point: the Royal Rumble idea. I’ll be honest: the thought of such a concept does have a certain appeal. However, in my opinion, the Royal Rumble format and genuine sporting competition do not really go together. In the show-sport world of wrestling, which is built around scripted storylines? Of course — wonderful. But in darts, and especially in a league that should represent the very best side of the sport? No, thank you.

I also honestly wonder how this Royal Rumble idea is supposed to work. Let’s assume that, in classic Royal Rumble style, the last man standing really does win — and, as Price suggested, is rewarded with the extremely valuable prize of a place in the following Premier League season. Now imagine this: the Royal Rumble candidate from night one sensationally remains unbeaten for 15 nights, only to lose on the final night to the surprise challenger. Would that mean the main prize goes to the player who won just one match, while the player with 15 victories walks away with nothing?

As I said: for a pure show event without genuine sporting stakes — such as exhibitions or galas — it could certainly be a cool idea. Maximum drama, highly entertaining, and genuinely exciting. But for one of the biggest competitions in the sport? In my view, it simply is not workable.

Let’s move on to the idea of returning to the old format for half of the season. In principle, I am positive about that, because I much preferred the old format to the current one — and did so for many years. But would it really generate excitement if part of the season simply reverted to something that already existed before? And would the PDC ever go back to the old format and thereby — at least 50 percent — admit that changing the format was a mistake? The answer to both questions is probably no.

Finally, I can only say once again that I think it is great when a player uses his voice, takes a different approach, and proposes change. Overall, I see it as a good sign that the debate around the Premier League format is growing, and that more and more players and fans are calling for a fresh approach. Hopefully, all of this will lead to a Premier League format in the near future that is enjoyable again — across all 16 weeks.

Because, let’s be honest: how difficult can it really be to put the absolute best players in their sport against each other week after week on the biggest stages the sport has to offer — and make the whole thing entertaining?

Mats Leering, Editor for DartsNieuws.com agrees with Price but also offers the view that he doesn't see what is gained from such a format: I partly agree with Gerwyn Price’s view. I think the return to the old format would be music to the ears of a large number of darts fans. Although I was enthusiastic about this new format at the start, to be honest, I’ve found it rather dull over the past two years.

We see virtually the same matches every week, and after the first two or three weeks of play, the excitement has pretty much faded until Finals Night. With the old format, you simply get to see the players once a night again, and different matches every week, even though you see the same names. And just like in the old days, halfway through the competition, the two players who have performed the least drop out.

The part I’m not keen on, however, is the ‘Royal Rumble’ section. Although I understand that it might be exciting for the audience to have a mystery player join in every evening, I don’t think this is feasible. Nor do I see what the benefit for that player would be, apart from perhaps some prize money if he wins? So I certainly welcome a return to the old format, but as far as I’m concerned, the addition of WWE-style matches can be left out.

Pieter Verbeek, Editor for DartsNieuws.com sees a better solution even bringing in faces from the past akin to the Challengers: The old Premier League Darts format certainly had its charm, while the current format also comes with clear advantages. In my opinion, the best solution would be to combine elements of both systems.

If we were to implement Gerwyn Price’s idea, which has actually been suggested by others before as well, the Premier League would start with ten players. Each night would feature five matches, meaning every player competes once per evening. After nine weeks, the two lowest-ranked players would be eliminated.

The remaining eight players would then continue the league phase in the knockout-style format we currently have. The PDC could perhaps also reconsider ticket pricing, given that fans would see five matches during the opening weeks and seven matches per night during the second half of the season.

Another possible solution would be to add an exhibition match to the schedule, for example between a local hero and a darts icon. In Aberdeen, that could mean someone like John Henderson taking on Gary Anderson, or perhaps a former professional such as Wayne Mardle.

The Royal Rumble concept itself is not really for me. In my opinion, that would push the Premier League too far towards entertainment rather than keeping the sport itself at the centre of attention.

Oliver Ried, Editor for DartsNews.DE concludes with a similar point of view that while he doesn't have a perfect solution, it is still better than before if changed. The current Premier League format simply feels worn out by now. While it is obviously entertaining for casual viewers who only tune in on Thursdays or do not follow darts too closely, seeing the biggest stars every single week has started to lose its appeal for hardcore fans. Especially those who also watch the Pro Tour and other events are craving more variety and fresh storylines.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how this issue could be solved. Personally, I would probably support a return to ten players. However, I’m not sure if bringing back the old format would actually be the right solution. On top of that, I doubt the PDC would be willing to take what could be seen as a step backwards.

One idea I do find interesting is a “Royal Rumble” style concept, where fans would not know which player is coming out next. Still, I’m not convinced the PDC would go for it. The organisation likes to work with local heroes, and understandably so. In countries like Germany, for example, you could heavily promote players such as Martin Schindler, Niko Springer or Max Hopp, which would help attract more fans to the arenas and more viewers to the broadcasts. A mysterious unknown player announcement would probably not create the same effect.

Despite all the criticism, I simply hope the new format will be exciting and refreshing. I want to see new faces rather than the same eight players every year. I actually liked the local hero concept, even though it was not always fair from a sporting perspective. Sometimes it was someone like Chris Dobey, who was inside the world’s top 16 at the time, while on other occasions it was players who were nowhere near the top rankings. Finding a fair balance there would be important.

At the end of the day, I just want the Premier League to feel special and exciting again, with new stories and more unpredictability. Unfortunately, I don’t have the perfect solution either. To conclude, while there is no consensus on the 'Royal Rumble' idea, our panel unanimously agrees that the current format lacks seasonal jeopardy.