"I think I'm ready, but that's not up to me, is it?": Ross Smith dreams of playing in the Premier League after winning a major in Amsterdam
PDCMonday, 21 September 2026 at 07:56
Ross Smith could hardly believe his luck after being crowned the winner of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam on Sunday evening. ‘Smudger’ convincingly beat Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final, securing the second major title of his career. After the match, the Englishman also cautiously hinted at a possible participation in the 2027 Premier League.
ADVERTISEMENT
Smith himself sees a heady dose of irony that like the European Tour, he can win the end of season major but up until this year he struggled to win titles on that end too and now he is World Series winner after a few sporadic appearances including Australia and New Zealand earlier this year.
"Absolutely made up, absolutely made up. A bit strange though, isn't it? I can't win a game in the World Series but I win the Finals," he said to Online Darts.
"That's the same as the Euro, wasn't it? I won the Europeans but I didn't win the Euro Tour. So yeah, that just sums me up, doesn't it? You know, so no, obviously I'm bloody made up."
Ross Smith triumphs in Amsterdam.
Smith said though that it perhaps feels better than the first one as it vindicates how he has been playing as of late. 'Smudger' has been one of the best players in the world this season and has now shown again why as he won through the field this weekend.
"I'd say so because the first one sort of came out of the blue. I wasn't expecting it or anything like that, but I suppose the past month since the World Series call-up, I feel like I played really well. You know, on the Euro Tour, I've come back 1-1, quarter-finals, runner-up and then obviously here. So yeah, I feel like my game and consistency is definitely there. So yeah, it means more than the first one."
Going Down Under for the World Series, Smith also found it a bit chastening losing both games quite early and he said that it gave him a kick up the backside he needed to get his head down. He then won in Budapest and has been in wonderful form ever since, a testament to a player who continues getting better.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I wouldn't say it focused me more, it just gave me a kick up the backside. You know, I felt like I let myself down and I was given a great opportunity and it really hurt. You know, I work hard at this game.
"I don't take it for granted at all and to be given the opportunity was massive for me and yeah, I let myself down and I thought I need to correct this and I've come back and I've definitely done that and yeah, I got some big balls, I think."
Now as well the darting world cannot call Smith a one hit wonder as he now has his latest number one and for the Deal ace, it is very much one that will take a while to sink in.
"It ain't registered yet, to be fair. No, it's absolutely amazing and I'm absolutely buzzing, absolutely buzzing. I don't really know what to say, to be fair.
"I really don't, but I'm just over the moon and you know, I've got great people at home and I know it's a bit of a cliché, but I have. I really have got great people at home and family and support and they help me so much, so yeah, I'm really good. I'm in a good place."
ADVERTISEMENT
Premier League awaits?
Attention turned not only on social media but also his press conference about Smith and the Premier League. He was asked about whether it is now time for him to be included given his run and how last time he joined a short list of players to not be included despite being a major champion.
"Yeah, I think I have, but at the same time, you know, lesson learned from last time. We're only halfway through the season. We've got all the majors coming up.
"I'm not going to sit here and lie. Of course, I want to be in it. If you give me the opportunity, I'm going to grab it with both hands and I won't play like I did in the World Series.
"But honestly, it's a privilege to play this game and if I get a call-up, then fantastic. I think I'm ready, but that's not up to me, is it? It's out of my hands.
ADVERTISEMENT
"All I can do is keep doing what I'm doing, keep performing and yeah, I just want to keep picking up titles and yeah, money."
Winning in Budapest and Riesa this year, Smith has to love playing in Europe and he said he does better there than he does at home. "I love playing in Europe, more so than England by the looks of it. I do rubbish in England.
"But no, everything's going well. I can't grumble at all. I love playing in Europe."
Changing walk-on and facing Van Veen...as well as the crowd
Facing Van Veen too, he said that he expected stick and doesn't have any issue with it going as far to say that they should cheer on their own.
"To be fair, I knew I was going to get a stick from the crowd, but that's rightly so. It doesn't bother me, things like that. The crowd, I thought, you know, were really respectful.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I've got no issue with the crowd here. I think they've been absolutely brilliant. Rightly so.
"They should cheer their home players on. The Ally Pally crowd certainly do that for me and for other players. So just part and parcel of the game and yeah, I knew what to expect and you just get on with it."
But now sitting as a major champion again, Smith added that he has certainly had his best year to date. "Yeah, without a doubt. Even before this tournament, obviously, because this isn't obviously ranked, but if you look at the year-to-date in the rankings, I think I'm sitting fourth or something like that. And I've had a great year.
"If you're sitting in top four of the year-to-date, you're doing well. So no, definitely this is the best year I've had. But again, you keep working hard and don't take things for granted and kick on."
Read also
Fans of his Red Light Spells Danger walk-on though noticed that was gone and the journalist said that his mum loves the song so wondered why he changed it and he said he got bored.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I've just got a bit bored. I got a bit bored, so I thought I'd spruce it up a little bit. But if your mom's got any other recommendations, I'm all ears. So as long as it's not Frank Sinatra, I'm all ears."
He won't be getting bored of winning titles anytime soon that is for sure as Smith surges to a second major.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Played great in the final. Makes a mockery of the event when he qualified by losing all of his tour matchesBandB21-09-2026
- He isn't,and won't be the last player to get whistled or booed at. The problem I noticed,is that he winds them up,and give him back,and he doesn't like it. If you can't take it,don't give itrick6720-09-2026
- I hope Phil doesn't return. Watching him the seniors was embarrassing,and he should bow out,and let everyone remember what a legend he is.rick6716-09-2026
- What a nice comment by Wade. Top bloke.BandB15-09-2026
- He wasn't "offered £501,000 to face Luke Littler". He was allowed to audition for the chance. That's not the same. Literally like saying I was offered a no.1 single, when actually I decided not to attend an open casting for the X factor.BandB13-09-2026
- I loved Jan and loved his walk on music "Explode" by Jordan & Baker. I think if he stuck around the BDO he definitely would have been World Champion, should have won in 2014, he never really showed any of his talent in the PDC. I remembered he worked in a bank or in finance and maybe that was his priority, he was also a fan and interested in magic. Definitely should have achieved much more in darts than he did. Wherever you are nowadays Jan, hope all is well and I was always a fan.richieburnettrocks11-09-2026
- Not much of a tournament really,is it? Now they've all pulled out,it's open for everyone. I'm sure if you bought tickets,you'd be disappointed. Doesn't that seem to bother the withdrawals? Not at all!!rick6710-09-2026
- Need to see her take part in the womens tour. She'll break the inernet.medinabello08-09-2026
- If he can be bothered? He won't play darts in Germany yet he'll go over and get an award!??rick6702-09-2026
- Why is this the main story? He chose not to compete in loads of tournaments,yes he's number 1 in the world,but he does have to turn up at tournaments! Play the next world championship in Dortmund and see if he turns up!!rick6727-08-2026
Loading