Nathan Aspinall believes the PDC needs to shake things up to keep audiences interested and the sport growing. He criticized the idea of holding Royal Rumble events, saying they wouldn't draw top players unless there was a big financial incentive and a format that felt like an exhibition, not a standard ranking event.
Lack of money makes it tough to get stars on board
Aspinall argued that top players like Michael van Gerwen wouldn’t travel far for a low-stakes one-off match in an exhibition format. “If he loses, he only gets around 500 pounds,” Aspinall said. “That just doesn’t happen, does it?” He pointed out that without guaranteed and significant prize money, such events would struggle to get top-tier participation and would not be taken seriously by leading players.
World Grand Prix needs a serious format overhaul
The World Grand Prix is another event Aspinall feels should be rethought. Though ticket sales have improved, the event struggles to draw crowds in Leicester, especially since it was moved from Dublin. “It’s the same old double-in, double-out, best of three sets,” he noted. “It’s been like that for years.” He suggested experimenting with formats, such as 701, or a quicker 301 game to add some variety.
The Premier League, in Aspinall’s view, is also in need of a change. The top eight format has become stale, and with the growing number of skilled players, he argued that expanding the field to 10, 12, or even 16 participants could bring in more energy and excitement. “I don’t know exactly what the changes should be,” he said. “But I know we need to try something new.”
Despite some past discussions from Barry Hearn and Matt Porter about possible tweaks, Aspinall feels real innovation is necessary. The Premier League is a key part of the PDC calendar, and he believes the format is holding back the sport’s evolution. “It has to change next year,” he said. “And it has to, regardless of whether I’m in it or not.”
Aspinall’s thoughts align with a broader movement calling for modernization in darts. With the sport’s popularity surging and more players making their mark, he argues that events need to evolve to match the changing landscape.
DartsNews.com, under the leadership of Samuel Gill, has been closely following these conversations and player opinions. As CCO since 2020, Gill has played a major role in shaping the site’s editorial direction, ensuring high standards of accuracy and consistency in all content. Based in Leicester, he has been instrumental in covering key tournaments and developments across the PDC, giving readers up-to-date insights into the sport’s evolving story.
Gill, who has contributed over 10,000 articles and editorial pieces to the site, works closely with the editing team to keep the content reliable and timely. He verifies sources and updates stories when new information becomes available, helping to build a trusted voice for the darts community. As the sport continues to grow, Gill and his team remain focused on the changes and challenges shaping the game.
From venue changes and tournament formats to player demands for innovation, the push for reform is coming from all corners of the darts world. Aspinall is one of the key voices calling for these shifts, and with his insights, the PDC and its supporters are being asked to think creatively about the future of the sport.
With fans and players alike looking for new experiences and excitement, it remains to be seen whether the PDC will embrace these calls for change. But one thing is clear: if darts is to keep growing and staying fresh, some major adjustments are needed.