Gerwyn Price Demands Darts Rule Change After ‘Farcical’ Incident in World Grand Prix Defeat to Luke Littler
Gerwyn Price Demands Darts Rule Change After ‘Farcical’ Incident in World Grand Prix Defeat to Luke Littler
Gerwyn Price has ignited a firestorm in the darts world, passionately demanding a rule change to the double-in/double-out format of the 2025 World Grand Prix following his dramatic 3-2 sets loss to Luke Littler in their quarterfinal clash on October 10 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. The 40-year-old Welsh world No. 7, visibly “gutted” after a ricochet dart miss sealed his fate, labeled the double-out requirement “ridiculous” and called for a shift to a “single-out” rule in deciding sets to eliminate what he sees as luck-driven outcomes. Price’s fiery post-match statement, coupled with his complaints about the pro-Littler crowd, has divided fans and sparked debate, as the 18-year-old prodigy laughed off the incident and marched into the semifinals of the £600,000 event with a £25,000 payday.
The Incident: A Ricochet Miss Defines the Thriller
The five-set epic (3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1) was a showcase of darts brilliance until its chaotic climax. Price, who had vowed to GB News to “put Littler under pressure” and boasted he was “not scared of anybody,” leveled the match at 2-2 with a 3-1 fourth set, hitting four 180s and a 140-finish to Littler’s six 180s and 101.23 average. The decider, Set 5, saw Price lead 2-1 in legs, needing 40 to force a sixth set. His dart at D20 clipped the wire and ricocheted back into his hand—a “farcical” blunder that drew gasps from the 3,000-strong crowd and uncontrollable laughter from Littler at the oche.
Littler pounced, breaking with a 100 checkout and sealing the match with a 121 on D18, posting a 75% double-in success rate (12/16) to Price’s 60% (12/20). The ricochet, viewed 2.5 million times on X under #PriceRicochet, became the match’s defining image. “That dart coming back? Pure comedy,” Littler told Sky Sports, crediting his earlier 154 checkout (T20, T18, D20) for shifting momentum. Price, gracious on camera, admitted: “Luke’s checkouts were unreal—that 154 killed me.”
Price’s Furious Demand: End the Double-Out Rule
In a heated Instagram post minutes after the loss, Price unleashed his frustration: “Gutted doesn’t cover it. The double-out rule in deciders is ridiculous—one dart off the wire, and it’s game over. No second chance. Darts is about skill, not luck like that. Change it now.” He also called for “major tournaments in neutral venues” to counter the “intimidating” pro-Littler crowd in Leicester, claiming the “Bunting mental!” chants swayed momentum. The post, amplified on X with 400k views by 6:32 PM WAT on October 11, echoed his earlier “Talk is cheap” meme, which fans slammed as salty.
Price’s rule-change plea, also voiced on GB News, targets the double-out requirement—standard in the Grand Prix since 1998—that mandates finishing on a double or bullseye. He argues for a “single-out” in deciding sets, allowing any score to close, to preserve “drama over luck.” “That ricochet wasn’t skill—it was farce,” he fumed, joining Raymond van Barneveld’s past calls for reform. Fans are split: #PriceRuleChange trended with “Gerwyn’s right—wire misses ruin classics” vs. “Stop whining—Littler outplayed you.”
Littler’s Response: Laughter and Dominance
Littler, unfazed by Price’s complaints, leaned into the humor: “Gerwyn’s got opinions—love it. But the rules are the rules,” he told Sky Sports, retweeting the ricochet clip with laughing emojis. His composure—mastering a format he once feared (first-round exits in 2023 and 2024)—shone through, with a 101.23 average, six 180s, and 10-0 legs held on throw. Post-ZXF split, Littler’s self-managed focus drives his £25,000 win, lifting his PCOM to 48th (£61,500) and easing Minehead risks.
The Debate: Format Flaw or Darts’ Charm?
Price’s demand reignites a long-simmering debate. The double-out rule, defended by Phil Taylor as the “great equalizer,” tests precision but risks “anti-climaxes” like Price’s miss. PDC chairman Barry Hearn dismissed it as “sour grapes,” but with darts’ 9.2 million Worlds viewership, the conversation gains traction. Price, now 2-3 vs. Littler lifetime, exits with £15,000 but vows: “I’ll be back to change this game.”
Next for Littler: Humphries in the Semis
Littler faces Luke Humphries in Saturday’s semifinal (October 11, 8 PM BST, Sky Sports), a rematch of their 2025 Worlds final (Littler won 7-4). Humphries, fresh off a 3-1 win over Rob Cross, warned: “Luke’s on fire, but I’m ready.” The winner earns £40,000 and a final shot against Michael Smith or Jonny Clayton.
| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| Luke Littler | 101.23 | 6 | 154 (T20, T18, D20) | Winner (3-2 sets) |
| Gerwyn Price | 99.87 | 4 | 140; D20 ricochet miss | Loser (2-3 sets) |
Price’s “gutted” crusade may spark change, but Littler’s laughter and brilliance prove he’s untouchable. The Grand Prix’s fire burns on.
