Gerwyn Price has revealed one of the strangest routines in professional darts, and judging by his results at the World Grand Prix, he is certainly not rushing to abandon it.
The Welshman admitted that he often refuses to change his shirt during a tournament, while also sitting in the same chair and at the same table throughout his campaign. It might sound unusual to most people, but for Price, these little rituals are all about keeping his mind settled when the pressure starts rising.
And with Price now into the quarter-finals in Leicester, his bizarre superstition has suddenly become one of the more entertaining stories surrounding the tournament.
Price’s Strange World Grand Prix Ritual
Price explained just how seriously he takes his routines after beating Ross Smith 3-0 in the second round of the World Grand Prix.
“I’m superstitious. When I do one thing once, I have to do it again,” Price said.
He then revealed that he sticks to the same chair and table throughout the tournament, before admitting: “And as smelly as it sounds, I don’t change my top. Not very often, anyway!”
There is something fascinating about the psychology behind this.
Darts is such a mental sport that players can become extremely attached to routines. The throw itself is repeated thousands of times, but everything around it can also become part of a player’s preparation.
For Price, apparently, that includes his shirt.
He explained that he will do whatever he believes is necessary to “keep the demons out of my head.” It is hardly the sort of superstition you would expect from a professional athlete, but Price clearly believes consistency helps him maintain his focus.
And considering what has happened for him at this tournament, it is difficult to argue with the results so far.
Price Has Been Finding His Form Again
Price arrived at the World Grand Prix with plenty of attention on him, particularly after losing the World Series of Darts Finals to Ross Smith only days earlier.
Smith defeated Price 11-5 in the final in Amsterdam, meaning the pair were quickly thrown back together in Leicester.
Price admitted that the recent defeat had affected him. He said losing to Smith the previous week had caused him to put “a little bit too much pressure” on himself during their World Grand Prix meeting.
That makes his 3-0 victory even more interesting.
Price did not produce his best performance, and he was actually outscored by Smith during the match. Yet the important statistic was the scoreline, with Price dropping only four legs across his first two matches.
As Price himself put it, “But I still won, and a win’s a win.”
That attitude may be particularly important at the World Grand Prix because this tournament can punish players who lose concentration for even a few legs.
The Double-In, Double-Out Challenge
The World Grand Prix is unlike almost every other major tournament on the PDC calendar because players must begin and finish every leg on a double or the bullseye.
That creates a completely different rhythm.
A player can average well and still find themselves in serious trouble if they cannot consistently hit the required starting double. It also creates opportunities for players to recover from poor scoring spells if their finishing remains sharp.
Price knows exactly what that pressure feels like.
He won the World Grand Prix in 2020, and his experience in this format makes him a serious threat whenever he finds his rhythm. His opening-round victory over Sebastian Bialecki was followed by the comprehensive win over Smith, putting him into another major quarter-final.
And there is an even bigger reason why this tournament matters for Price.
A Major Title Still Eludes Him
Price is still searching for his first ranked major title since winning the Grand Slam of Darts in 2021.
That statistic does not tell the whole story, though.
The 41-year-old has remained a regular presence deep into major tournaments, and his 2026 campaign has included semi-final appearances at every major event except the World Championship.
That makes the World Grand Prix another important opportunity.
Price has already demonstrated that he can handle the unusual demands of this event. But reaching the quarter-finals is one thing; converting that position into another major title is something entirely different.
Now comes the fascinating part.
An All-Welsh Quarter-Final
Price will face Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals, guaranteeing that a Welsh player will reach the semi-finals.
Clayton booked his place in the last eight with a 3-1 victory over Wessel Nijman, producing four ton-plus checkouts and averaging 93.08.
There is also plenty of history between Price and Clayton.
The two are teammates for Wales and know each other’s games extremely well. Price even joked about Clayton having beaten him in a World Grand Prix final previously, while suggesting his compatriot had received some luck earlier in this year’s tournament.
That adds another layer to what should already be a fascinating match.
Price has insisted that he expects to feel more relaxed against Clayton after admitting he put too much pressure on himself against Smith.
The Big Names Are Already Gone
Another intriguing element of Price’s run is the changing shape of the tournament.
Defending champion Luke Littler was knocked out in the first round by Luke Woodhouse, while six-time champion Michael van Gerwen also exited at the opening stage.
But Price is refusing to get distracted by those exits.
“I don’t care about other players,” he said, stressing that there are still plenty of dangerous competitors remaining.
That mentality makes sense. The World Grand Prix’s format has always created opportunities for surprises, and Price knows better than most that one bad session can end a title challenge.
For now, his focus is simply on the next match.
And apparently, the same chair, the same table and the same shirt will be coming along for the ride.
Final Thoughts
There is something brilliantly human about Price’s superstition.
At the highest level of professional sport, where players spend countless hours analysing averages, checkouts and technique, one of the world’s best players is also worried about changing his shirt and disturbing his routine.
Whether the shirt actually makes any difference is impossible to prove. But if the routine helps Price feel comfortable and focused, there is certainly no reason for him to abandon it while he keeps winning.
The real test comes against Clayton, with a semi-final place at stake and another major opportunity waiting.
So, darts fans, what do you make of Price’s unusual superstition? Is it harmless tradition, or would you be changing that shirt after every match?