Gerwyn Price has admitted it would be “totally unfair” to bring back Premier League Challengers.
The format once produced some iconic moments, handing local players a one-night opportunity in front of passionate home crowds.
However, talk of a comeback has resurfaced following the disruption in Dublin, where a quarter-final was scrapped on Night Seven after Gian van Veen withdrew due to kidney stones.
Van Veen returned on Night Eight in Berlin but suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat to Price at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Price warned that reintroducing the challenger system could create more issues, particularly due to the uneven level of opposition.
He said: “I think that would be totally unfair. When you had the challengers, it was a good idea but unfair to the players that are playing the challengers.
“Every player is a different standard. One person could play Fallon Sherrock, someone else could face Chris Dobey, and another might come up against Luke Humphries, like I did.
“If you’re looking at the problems with the format, it can feel a bit repetitive at the moment, and if someone is ill, there’s no way to recover those lost points.
“If a player misses a week, someone else gets gifted points, which is a little bit unfair—but I’m not sure what the solution is.”
Former Lakeside champion Mark Webster agrees there is no easy fix, warning that any adjustment could create further imbalance.
The issue has already had significant consequences, with illness and injury impacting the race for the Play-Offs in recent seasons.
Webster said: “I understand the idea, but I just don’t know how you make it work. Whoever comes in will be at a different level to someone like Gian when he had to pull out in Dublin. It’s not an equal contest, so it’s difficult.
“It happened last year and again this year, and it could be crucial when it comes to the Play-Offs—you just don’t know how it will unfold.
“It cost Michael van Gerwen last year. He missed out on the Play-Offs after being handed a 6-0 defeat because he couldn’t make Berlin.
“In an ideal world, you want all players competing in the opening quarter-finals. If a reserve steps in, it at least keeps things competitive.
“Some might argue players would rather play, but that’s not true.
“They’ll take the bye every time in the Premier League and happily take the two points. I honestly don’t know what the answer is.
“From a crowd perspective, they want to see a match—but the player will be thinking, ‘I’ve had a bit of luck here, I’m going to make the most of it.’”
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