**Gerwyn Price Stokes Rivalry with Littler and Humphries, Challenges PDC Over Playing Conditions**
Gerwyn Price, Wales’ outspoken darts star, has poured further fuel on his high-profile rivalry with rising sensation Luke Littler and world champion Luke Humphries, boldly claiming he remains the world’s best player when hitting top form. Price made the remarks following a gripping victory over Humphries in Liverpool during night 12 of the Premier League, a win which marked his third success on the circuit this season.
The Welshman triumphed 6-4 in the final, showcasing why he is regarded as one of the most formidable competitors in the sport. While Littler holds one more nightly win than Price in this year’s campaign, the former world champion remains adamant he is still the benchmark when performing at his peak.
“When I’m on my game, I’m the best in the world. I don’t care,” declared Price, exuding confidence in the wake of his latest success. “Luke’s as good as he is, Michael [van Gerwen] is as good as he is on his day. But if I play my A game, they don’t beat me, and I think they know that as well. But, you know, it’s about which version of me turns up.”
Price has enjoyed particular dominance over Littler in recent head-to-head encounters, securing victory in their last six meetings. However, his record against reigning world champion Humphries tells a different story, with only three wins from their last ten showdowns since early 2024. Nevertheless, Price’s self-belief remains unshaken, underlining the fierce competition at the summit of professional darts.
Despite this confidence, Price has openly admitted to battling inconsistency in recent seasons. His form has oscillated, at times hampered by external factors, contributing to the unpredictable nature of the sport’s elite circuit. Indeed, it was conditions off the oche, not just on it, that drew Price’s ire during a recent Premier League night in Rotterdam.
After suffering an early exit at the hands of Nathan Aspinall, Price voiced his frustration, branding the event “pointless” and bemoaning the windy conditions inside the venue: “there were darts flying everywhere.” He implied that such environmental factors contributed significantly to his downfall on that particular night.
Back in the winner’s circle in Liverpool, Price revisited the topic of playing conditions, making an impassioned plea to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) to reconsider venue selection for such prestigious events. “When the conditions are good and it’s a fair game, I play some good darts,” he observed. “Sometimes I do throw my toys out of the pram when things don’t go my way, but I had a reason last week. We don’t deserve to play in those conditions.”
Price went on to challenge the notion that adverse conditions impact all players equally. “People say it is the same for every player but it definitely isn’t. Some throw heavier darts, longer points, thicker flights, it’s not the same for everyone.”
To underscore his point, Price drew an analogy with the world of snooker: “If you had the World Snooker Championship and lifted one leg up on one end, put it down on the other end, I’m sure Ronnie [O’Sullivan] wouldn’t be happy with that.”
Such comments are likely to intensify debate around the standards set for major darts venues and the impact of external conditions on elite performance. The ongoing rivalry between Price, Littler and Humphries is proving to be a compelling narrative in the current season, offering plenty for fans to discuss both on and off the ochre.
As the Premier League campaign continues to unfold, all eyes will be on whether Price can maintain this level of form, and whether those running the sport will heed his passionate calls for a level playing field for all competitors.