"No crowd, no family, nothing, it felt a bit fake in a way": Gerwyn Price chases real deal with negative feeling surrounding Covid World Darts Championship win

Gerwyn Price made a confident start to his 2026 PDC World Darts Championship campaign with a controlled opening-round victory, leaving the Alexandra Palace stage convinced that he is the man to beat as he chases a second world title.

Price admitted afterwards that, while the scoreline suggested comfort, the match was not without its frustrations. The Welshman felt he could have made the evening far more straightforward, particularly in the second set, where missed chances allowed his opponent a foothold at the Alexandra Palace.

“Yeah, I was a bit frustrated in the game,” Price said post match. “Especially not to lose the second set but to lose two legs when I was playing fantastic. But yeah, it was a difficult game, a difficult pace. All that considered, I thought I played all right.”

Despite those moments, Price was pleased with the overall performance and the way he closed the contest out. He felt there were signs of improvement as the match went on, even if he stopped short of declaring it one of his very best displays.

“I thought I played all right. I don’t know if I was at my best, but I thought I played better in the second set. I just missed the opportunities, but yeah, I couldn’t ask for more. A 3–1 win, going home happy and coming back ready to play on Sunday.”

One of the most striking aspects of Price’s return to Ally Pally was the reception he received from the crowd. Once a divisive figure at the venue, the former world champion has increasingly found support in north London over the past 18 months, something he admitted has given him an extra edge on the big stage.

“Wow, what a crowd,” he said. “Over the last 12 to 18 months, maybe a little bit longer, the crowd’s been fantastic for me. Just walking on, sometimes you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck standing up. I don’t usually get that in early rounds, but I was looking forward to this year and that shows why. They were right behind me. When the crowd’s behind you, you get that extra 10 per cent.”

Attention quickly turned to round two, where Price faces another stern test in Wesley Plaisier. However, the 2021 champion insisted his approach will not change, repeating his familiar mantra of focusing inward rather than being distracted by opponents or scenarios.

“I’m like a broken record,” he said. “I just concentrate on my own game, same as I did today. It was difficult today — the pace of the game felt like I was throwing my first three darts as the first visit of every leg. I’ll concentrate on my own game next Sunday, and if I play like I can, then I’ll come through.”

There was also relief at simply getting through the opening hurdle, with several seeded players already having fallen earlier in the tournament.

“You’re watching other games and boys going through, and you’re thinking, ‘I don’t want to be one of the big casualties, one of the big seeds to go out,’” Price admitted. “So yeah, it’s difficult, but I’m glad I came through.”

Although he found himself under pressure in the second set, Price dismissed the idea that adversity is something he welcomes, insisting he would far rather cruise through matches by taking his chances early.

“I’d rather just hit my doubles and win straight sets — 3–0, 3–0, 3–0 — which I probably should have done,” he said. “But I knew I was outplaying him, I knew I was outscoring him, and I knew I’d have more chances at doubles. Even though I was 2–0 down in that second set, I believed I was still going to win it, and I did. That set me up for the next one.”

With several days to wait before his next appearance, Price outlined a deliberately low-key schedule designed to keep both his body and mind fresh.

“I’ll head straight home after this,” he explained. “Do a bit of work back home on the annex, get the tools back in my hands, and I’ll have a practice along the way. I only practise an hour or two when I’m home. I’ll take my mind off darts again for two or three days, then I’m back up on Saturday. I’ll bring my travel board, practise in the hotel, and be ready to go on Sunday.”

The pace of the match was another talking point, with Price visibly eager to throw as he waited behind his opponent. It is a situation he has faced many times throughout his career, and one he feels better equipped to handle now. “It is difficult,” he said. “But I’ve been in those situations before. I know Mensur Suljovic, Justin Pipe back in the day, and Mickey Mansell now, so I’ve been through the wringer with them all. You just have to cope with it and reset every time.”

Price also revealed that a pre-tournament trip to Dubai played a role in sharpening his focus ahead of the World Championship, providing both physical warmth and a mental reset. “I’d rather be in the sun having a practise than sat at home with it raining like mad outside — whether it’s England or Wales, it’s raining all the time,” he said. “Just being in the sun and in a positive frame of mind definitely helps.”

Confidence, unsurprisingly, is not in short supply. Asked whether his current form is good enough to go all the way, Price was emphatic. “I am winning. Honestly, I’m not losing. Nobody’s beating me this year.”

That belief has been echoed by many observers, with Price widely tipped as a potential champion before the tournament even began. While talk of future clashes holds little interest for him, he accepts the narrative as part of being among the favourites. “I delete my social media before big tournaments and get into my own little bubble,” he said. “I believe in my own talent and my own ability. If people are saying that, then fair play to them, but I believe I’m going to win this tournament. I don’t care what obstacles are in front of me. I know it’s going to be tough, whoever I play, but I’m definitely coming through every game.”

Performing in front of a supportive crowd has also become a source of motivation rather than pressure, with Price keen to give something back to those in the stands. “You want to repay them,” he said. “If I’m hitting 180s, I want to repay them with a nine-darter. It’s always difficult when the crowd are against you, but when they’re with you, you want to give them as much as you can.”

The lure of the tournament’s million-pound prize fund, while significant, is secondary to the wider achievement for Price, who insists the money would not alter his lifestyle.

“It would just go into the business account,” he explained. “It wouldn’t change my life. I’d just move on to the next tournament. For me, it’s about winning that big trophy and becoming a two-time world champion, with the crowd and with my family there. That’s the main priority.”

Asked whether he now expects crowd support wherever he goes, Price struck a cautious note, even if he has noticed a shift in recent times. “I don’t expect it, but I’m not as surprised now when it happens,” he said. “It seems to happen more often than it did in the past. We’ll see how it goes as the tournament progresses.”

His affection for the Alexandra Palace stage was clear, too, despite previous suggestions that he would not mind a change of venue. “I want to stay here forever,” Price said with a smile. “I love it. It’s like playing in Cardiff.”

Reflecting on his opponent, Adam Gawlas, Price admitted there was an element of uncertainty heading into the match, particularly after an unusual warm-up. "Even in the practice room he gave nothing away,” Price said. “He just kept throwing bullseyes. I was thinking, ‘Is he trying to get in my head?’ But I’m glad on stage he didn’t hit many.”

Looking more broadly at his career trajectory, Price believes the past year has set him up perfectly for a strong push back towards the very top of the rankings. “This year is definitely way better than last year,” he said. “There are a lot of positives to take into next year. If I can get back into the top four after this tournament — if I win it, maybe up to number two — then with a free year next year I’ll chase the world number one spot.”

Ultimately, though, the motivation remains deeply personal. Having lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2021 behind closed doors, Price is desperate to do it again in front of a packed arena. “I won in 2021 with nobody there — no crowd, no family, nothing — and it felt a bit fake in a way,” he said. “I want to do it again and prove to myself that I can do it with a crowd, with the pressure and the atmosphere. That would mean a lot more.”