"It has become almost impossible to close the gap with the top" - Alan Soutar continues to voice his concerns over Euro Tour set-up

Alan Soutar has once again been critical of the revamped format of the PDC European Tour, which he says is making the playing field unfair for players outside the world's top players. The Scot, currently number 54 in the world rankings, said the changes make it "extremely difficult" for middle-class players to climb toward the top 32.

Since 2024, the top-16 of the world ranking list and the sixteen best players of the Pro Tour are invited to the Euro Tours. Moreover, the top-16 of the world ranking list only enter the tournament from the second round, while previously the top-16 of the Pro Tour got that exemption. For all other players that means three qualifying rounds to reach the first round at all, after which they have to win another match to meet the seeded players.

According to Soutar, the result is clear: The gap between the elite and the rest is widening. "The PDC and the rule change on the Euro Tours have made it extremely difficult to close the gap with the guys in the top 32," he said in the Mission Darts Podcast. "I'm now part of that group between 33 and 64, and that's just the reality."

The 47-year-old darter from Arbroath, who still works as a firefighter in addition to his darts career, believes the current structure protects the established names. "It's basically free money for those guys in the top 32 or top 16," Soutar said. "They have to play one less match, and that automatically gets them more prize money and ranking points. For players like me, it has become almost impossible to close the gap with the top."

Although some fans accused him of "complaining," Soutar stands firm. "I got some criticism when I said this earlier in an interview with the PDC," he says. "There were people who said, 'He's right,' others, 'No, he shouldn't whine, just get better.' But the reality is that it's really very hard to close the gap. Ask anyone around my ranking - they'll say the same thing."

Despite his criticisms, Soutar looks back on his own season with satisfaction. With three quarterfinals on the Players Championship floor and a fifth round at the UK Open, he once again proved his worth. "I always look at my year by November or December," he explained. "That's when you know if you keep your Tour Card, if you're in the Players Championship Finals, and if you get to go to Ally Pally. And I managed to do all that. So for me, that's pretty good."

The Scot, known for his calm demeanour and down-to-earth approach, knows that continuity at the highest level is essential, especially as the competition intensifies. "I'm ranked 54th in the world, so I'm safe with my Tour Card," he said soberly. "That's already quite an achievement, considering how difficult it is these days to hold your own among all that violence."

Soutar warns that the new system not only hits the mid-majors but also discourages young players. "Talented guys hardly get any chances to show themselves," he said. "They have to go through three tough qualifying rounds to be on a Euro Tour stage at all. Meanwhile, the same faces keep showing up in the second round. That doesn't help the sport move forward."