"You don’t earn any money out of it" - Ian White raises alarm over growing costs of European Tour

Veteran darts star Ian White has hit out at the rising financial burden faced by players competing on the PDC European Tour, labelling the costs of travel and accommodation as “ridiculous.”

The 54-year-old, currently ranked No. 50 in the world, has enjoyed a solid 2025 season so far — highlighted by a final appearance at Players Championship 9 in Leicester. But despite finding form again, “The Diamond” has warned that life on tour is becoming increasingly unsustainable for many professionals.

"I’ve had a final this year on the ProTour, which has been a long time coming. I think the last one was the day before Covid," said White on the Unicorn Darts website. "A semi-final this year, and a couple of quarter-finals, so I’m doing okay. I’m enjoying myself."

White says his renewed passion has come in part from stepping back from the relentless travel demands that once defined his schedule. "I’m enjoying the darts now, rather than chasing everything around the world. The ProTours are great," he explains. “I just think times are different now, rather than chasing everything around Europe.”

Still, White is down to play in the next two European Tour events, though he’s made no secret of his concerns around the costs involved. "I’ve just qualified for two Europeans, which are the next two. I’ve just been looking at flights, and been looking at this, and it’s just stupid money," he notes. “You’re going out there, and if you don’t win, we’re stuck. Do you know what I mean? You don’t earn any money out of it."

He also highlighted the physical toll of constant travel, something many players quietly struggle with. “The travelling is also very tiring, it really takes it out of you," says White. "But it is what it is, and if you want to go and earn the money, you chase it. If you don’t, just do it a bit at a time, and just make a living out of it.”

White is already looking ahead to a return to Alexandra Palace, where last year he was knocked out by none other than the eventual world champion Luke Littler. He’s confident he can make a statement again on the sport’s biggest stage.

“I am a dangerous player. I’ve been around a long time. So I just go out now, go and play my darts. I think the other day was about 97, 98 averages all day. 93 was probably one of the worst, but it was good. I’m just enjoying myself. I’ve no pressure on me anymore," he says. “Let’s get to the World Championships. Let’s get to the Players’ Championships at the end of the year. The Matchplay and Grand Prix is very hard to get to, because of the way they’ve structured it now. But if you can get to the Worlds and the Players every year, you can earn a good living."

And despite being eligible, White is in no rush to switch to the World Seniors Tour, insisting his PDC career is far from over. “Ian White is not finished yet. There’s life in the old dog, trust me. He can still bite a few ankles!" White concludes. “I’m not ready for the Seniors, I’m happy in the PDC. I think more and more doors will open soon.”