"I think I'm already in" - Confident Gerwyn Price expecting Premier League call-up after solid opening to World Darts Championship campaign

Gerwyn Price made an impressive start to his 2025 PDC World Darts Championship campaign on Monday night. The former world champion comfortably dispatched Irish youngster Keane Barry 3-0 to secure his post-Christmas return to the Ally Pally.

After a quiet year for the Welshman, Price headed to the Alexandra Palace as 10th seed and somewhat under the radar. Although he was far from his brilliant best against Barry, an average of just over 91 was enough to comfortably get Price off to a winning start as 'Dynamite' struggled on the outer ring, missing 22 darts at double.

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“I know how well I can play. I just want to prove to myself that I’ve still got it,” Price said determinedly in his post-match press conference afterwards. “I have given myself a boost of confidence with the way I’ve played in exhibitions over the last few weeks, but this is where I want to perform, on the biggest stages in the biggest events. I put myself under a lot of pressure tonight because I wanted to go home and enjoy Christmas with a win, and this is where the tournament really starts for me.”

When he returns post-Christmas, either Joe Cullen, Wessel Nijman or Cameron Carolissen lie in wait for Price so it's likely an improvement on his average will be needed. "Joe's not had the best of years. Wessel has been playing really well, I think he's beat me twice in the last three or four times we've played, but that's probably when I haven't had the best of confidence," Price recalls. "So I mean, I'm easy to beat when I'm down, but beat me at my best!"

Due to Price's quieter year in 2024 - the Iceman hasn't even reached a major quarterfinal - not many are expecting for former world champion to be a part of the 2025 Premier League Darts lineup. Price himself has previously been keen to rule himself out of contention, but in recent weeks, it looks as if something has changed. After a pre-World Championship Instagram story hyping up his Premier League chances, Price was again positive on the topic after his first round win.

"There's a lot of good players out there, and if I don't get in the Premier League then it's because somebody else deserves it. But you know, if I have a good run in this, then I'm up for it and we'll see what happens," Price concludes. "I think I'm already in."

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