Matt Porter sides with top darters regularly withdrawing from tournaments: "If I were a top-10 player, I don't think I'd play that many of them. Why would I need to?"

Withdrawals from tournaments as of late has been a very contentious talking point in the world of darts. Many of the top 10 and big names are not appearing in the Players Championship and European Tour competitions as much as fans want them to. This does not seem to concern PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter when speaking to Oche180, who also discussed numerous other suggested issues in the ranking system and the European Tour qualifying criteria.

The ranking system is something that gets talked about a lot in darts. It is set to get a shake-up as the higher amounts of prize money now offered in events will make a big difference. It has already done so after the PDC World Darts Championship. Examples include Gian van Veen as the world number three with semi-finalists Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle in the top 10.

Alan Warriner-Little, the PDPA President, had suggested that possible movement and change in the rankings could be imminent in terms of discussion. Porter has unveiled that talk has been ongoing as they look to find the perfect solution.

"For as long as I've been doing this job, we've been talking to the PDPA about ranking changes, and we've made numerous changes based on their feedback and will continue to do so," he commented.

"They have a similar predicament to us with what you asked about the Premier League format. If they asked 100 of their members for their opinion on formats, they'd probably get 50 different answers — maybe even more. It's very difficult for a player in the world's top 10 to have the same view on direction as a player ranked around 150 in the world. So, again, it's another thing where it's very difficult to please everybody. But we speak to the PDPA on a regular basis and are already doing so regarding any rule changes that may happen for next year."

With money coming off the rankings every two years, players tend to stick around in the top end of darts for much longer despite poor performances, protecting them to an extent. An example is Nathan Aspinall after winning the World Matchplay. Eventually he did suffer a big drop in the rankings when Wessel Nijman defeated him in the first round last year but it comes after he was getting back to his best following a year of poor showings and struggle with dartitis.

Porter responded to the argument that it is hard to break into the top 16 and 32. "I think the proof will be in the numbers," he argued. "We've run the numbers based on previous years and they showed that not to be the case. If it does become a closed shop, that's not what we want and we'd review it again. At the moment, though, we feel we've found a system that is fit for purpose."

"We're also looking at other things we can do elsewhere within our structure for players whose rankings aren't as high as the top players because ultimately we need that pathway. We need that conveyor belt of talent coming through to keep the sport fresh. There will always be opportunities provided for players further down the rankings. As I say, it's unlikely that any change we make will ever be met with 100% approval."

The European Tour qualification process has also seen stark change over the past few years. The top 16 gain automatic qualification into the second round on Saturday with it harder for other players to gain entry.

Players like Alan Soutar have argued against this format, but it does not seem to be changing anytime soon. "We reviewed it and felt that this was a more appropriate system to bring in," Porter admitted.

"We want to make sure opportunities are there and the doors are open for players further down the rankings. At the same time, we want to reward players who have reached the top of the rankings for that achievement and make sure events are structured in a way that appeals most to live crowds, because ultimately the events won't succeed if people aren't coming to watch them."

Another part of the European Tour which is under scrutiny is the withdrawals. That is common in Players Championship events as well from the top players, specifically Premier League talents.

While gained a lot of attention, it is not a concern for the PDC. "No, not really, if I'm honest. It's up to the players to manage their diaries in the way they think is best for them. As for the Players Championship events, honestly, if I were a top-10 player, I don't think I'd play that many of them. Why would I need to? I'd probably use them for practice as and when I needed to.

"As long as I'd won enough money early in the season to qualify for the Players Championship Finals, I'd rest and rotate those events as much as I could because my diary would already be intense. I think you'll see a big difference on the European Tour in the second half of the year now that the Premier League has finished. It's difficult for players to compete late on a Thursday night and then travel early on Friday. That's a lot to ask. So I think you'll see attendance levels among the Premier League players improve in the second half of the season."

As the sport grows, demand for tickets is gaining. A lot of fans want to go and watch the darts, drawn in by the party atmosphere and a good afternoon or evening watching world class sport.

The venues are also under pressure to keep pace. Iconic locations such as Ally Pally and the Winter Gardens are under threat to an extent with more fans wanting to gain entry. The PDC World Darts Championship will move to the bigger hall at the Palace in North London from the next edition.

According to Porter, it is a great problem to have. "The World Matchplay is so iconic and so synonymous with the Winter Gardens that I don't think there would really be another option," he confirmed.

"It's one of those situations where there will always be a lot of disappointed people, but we try to keep ticket prices fair and the ticket-buying process fair. The people who get lucky — good luck to them. I'm sure they'll have a great time. But I don't think if we took the World Matchplay away from the Winter Gardens there would be many people who agreed with the decision, and it's certainly not something we've ever discussed."