"They have a couple of beers and what can you expect?": Gerwyn Price sees Antwerp crowd growing into typical darting atmosphere after debut night
PDC
In a raucous AFAS Dome in Antwerp, Gerwyn Price made headlines once again. The 40-year-old Welshman claimed Night 2 of the Premier League Darts 2026 and immediately banked valuable points toward play-off qualification. It was not only a sporting boost, but also a clear message to the field: “The Iceman” is back, and perhaps better than ever.
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It was the first time the Premier League stopped in Antwerp. A week earlier, Price had exited in the quarter-finals in Newcastle, a defeat that clearly stung. “Going out in the first round last week sort of upset me a bit, having chances to win the match,” he said as per Online Darts.
Anyone who knows Price understands that moments like that do not break him, they sharpen him. He arrived in Antwerp with a clear mission. “I came here just targeting one game, that’s what I do every week, just to try and win one.”
The plan worked. Not only did he win his opener, he powered through to take the nightly title and pocket five Premier League points and a £10,000 bonus. “To get through and pick up five points, ten grand, even better.”
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In the ‘zone’
Anyone who watched the final saw Price unleashed. His opponent was Michael van Gerwen, a player rarely fazed by the big stage. But in the decisive moments, Price seemed to be operating in his own bubble. “I feel like I can just black everything out and just stay in the zone.”
He recognised the feeling from his recent Players Championship outings. “That’s probably the only time tonight I felt like I was in the Pro Tour, when I was playing Michael in the final.”
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Gerwyn Price defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-3 in the Antwerp final
Finding that level consistently remains the challenge. “It’s trying to get into that zone and trying to just block everything out and play as well as I can.”
Top level, but the bar is higher
Notably, Price believes he is producing some of the best darts of his career, even compared to his world title year. "In patches, yeah, I’m probably playing the best I’ve ever played.”
But he is fully aware of the wider standard. “So is everybody else, you need to be even better.”
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He has already experienced how unforgiving the floor events can be. “I played fantastic the first day and got pipped. People were throwing some really good stuff against me. All day on Pro Tour number two I’m playing good stuff and just not getting over the winning line.”
It can be frustrating, but also motivating. “I’m sat there on Pro Tours and I look at all the other results and it’s like, why is everyone smashing in tonnes against me and I’m having it tough? But it keeps me on my toes.”
The hunt for silverware
Over the past two years it has largely been Luke Humphries and Luke Littler collecting the major titles. Price is playing well again, but silverware at the biggest televised events has eluded him. “To be honest, I’d love to win tournaments but it’s not a be-all and end-all as long as I keep winning money, keep winning and staying up in the top eight in the world, hopefully get back into the top four.”
He insists he is not adding unnecessary pressure. “I’d love to win majors but it’s not something I put myself under pressure for.”
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Still, the rise of the two Lukes has had an effect. “I think the fact that the two Lukes are playing so well has probably kicked us up the backside a bit, definitely me. I’m practising more than ever and it’s paying off.”
And that, according to Price, can only benefit the sport. “It’s good for the sport because everybody’s on their toes.”
Antwerp atmosphere
The Belgian crowd created a thunderous atmosphere inside the AFAS Dome. Price appreciated it, though not without reservations. “I feel like they were decent through every game. You get it in every country, you get a whistle here and there, they can sort of put you off, but the majority of the time they were good. In patches they could be better.”
He admitted he struggled with it during the semi-final. “I didn’t deal with it very well in the semis but I managed to get through it. It’s frustrating at times.”
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Still, he expects things to improve as the event grows. “They have a couple of beers and what can you expect? Hopefully we come here for many years and they’ll get a bit better.”
There was also a key moment in the final when Michael van Gerwen responded to going 2–0 down with a stunning 167 checkout. Price remained composed. “That happens. It happened to me all last week in the Pro Tours. Just dig in and try and do the best I can.”
He responded by reeling off legs of his own, the modern game offering no margin for error. “That’s what happens on the Pro Tour, everybody just keeps hitting big scores and big checkouts and you just have to try and do it.”
Looking ahead to Glasgow
With five points secured, Price now turns his attention to Glasgow and the next Premier League night. “Especially the first game was really tough, trying to just get two points on the board. Once I’d done that I sort of relaxed.”
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And that relaxation could make him even more dangerous next week. “Next week I’ll be even more relaxed, so hopefully I’ll play a lot better.”
He signed off with a grin and a bold ambition: “A couple of nine-darters and hopefully win another night.”
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.
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