As the festive lights twinkle brighter and the chill of winter settles in, the world of professional darts is heating up with anticipation. The Paddy Power World Darts Championship, set to unfold at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace from December 15, 2025, to January 3, 2026, promises another chapter of nail-biting drama, record-breaking averages, and the kind of underdog tales that turn casual fans into die-hard devotees. With a staggering £5 million prize pot on offer—doubling last year’s haul—and the tantalizing prospect of £1 million for the champion, the stakes have never been higher. Amid this electric atmosphere, one voice cuts through the buzz: Gerwyn Price, the unflappable Welsh powerhouse known as “The Iceman,” who has taken a moment from his own preparations to champion a quartet of young guns he believes could storm the Ally Pally stage and etch their names into darts lore.
Price, a former rugby league enforcer turned darts icon, knows a thing or two about defying expectations. At 40 years old, he’s no stranger to the oche’s unforgiving glare. His 2021 World Championship triumph, where he dismantled Gary Anderson 7-3 with a blistering 100.08 average, remains a masterclass in composure under pressure. More recently, Price has been on a tear, clinching the Nordic Darts Masters by edging out Rob Cross 8-5 and then demolishing teenage sensation Luke Littler 8-1 in the Australian Darts Masters final. He reached the quarter-finals at this year’s World Championship and, just last weekend at the Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals in Minehead, powered through to the semi-finals before a heartbreaking 11-8 loss to Littler, where he still managed to showcase his trademark ice-cool checkouts. Currently ranked ninth in the PDC Order of Merit, Price is seeded fifth for the upcoming Worlds—a position that demands respect but also invites scrutiny. Yet, rather than dwell on his own campaign, he’s turning the spotlight on the fresh faces who, in his eyes, embody the sport’s vibrant future.
“I’ve been watching these lads closely on the ProTour, and they’re not just talented—they’re brilliant,” Price declared with his characteristic blend of gravelly candor and quiet intensity. “In a sport as mental as darts, they’ve got that edge: the scoring power, the bottle for big moments, and a hunger that reminds me of my own early days. If they hit their straps at Ally Pally, they could go all the way and shake up the old guard.”
Leading Price’s hit list is Josh Rock, the 23-year-old Northern Irish prodigy whose trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Rock burst onto the scene with a semi-final run at the 2023 World Championship, and he’s only accelerated since. This year alone, he’s notched multiple Players Championship titles, including a gritty final win over Price himself at PC12, and formed a lethal partnership with Daryl Gurney to secure Northern Ireland’s World Cup victory. Rock’s explosive 180s and clinical finishing—often averaging north of 100 in high-stakes legs—have made him a fan favorite. Price sees echoes of his own physicality in Rock’s game. “Josh has that raw power; he’s built like a tank but throws like a surgeon,” Price noted. “His World Cup form was unreal—beating the best pairs in the world. At the Worlds, with that draw behind him, I wouldn’t bet against him reaching the last 16 or beyond. He’s got the mentality to thrive in the chaos of Ally Pally.”
Hot on Rock’s heels is Chris Dobey, the 34-year-old Englishman who’s shed his journeyman tag to emerge as a genuine contender. Dobey’s journey has been one of perseverance; after years grinding on the tour, he exploded into the top 20 with a string of deep runs, including a Players Championship Finals quarter-final this November where he tantalizingly missed a nine-darter against Littler. His smooth, rhythmic action and unerring doubles percentage make him a matchup nightmare. Price, who has sparred with Dobey in practice sessions, is effusive. “Chris is flying under the radar, but he’s got everything: consistency, big-match temperament, and that cheeky smile that winds up the crowd just right,” he said. “He beat some top names last weekend, and his scoring is electric. If he avoids an early draw against the seeds, he could be the dark horse pushing for a TV debut win. Darts needs players like him—gritty, relatable, and always up for the fight.”
Then there’s Gian van Veen, the 21-year-old Dutch sensation whose precocity belies his youth. As the 2024 World Youth Champion, van Veen has transitioned seamlessly to the senior circuit, racking up European Tour points and turning heads with his laser-guided precision. His nine-dart finish earlier this year—a moment of pure poetry on the oche—cemented his status as a generational talent. Price, drawing from his own Qualifying School triumphs a decade ago, spots a kindred spirit. “Gian’s got that fearless vibe; he’s not overawed by the big boys,” Price enthused. “Winning the Youth Worlds was massive, but he’s already proving it on the big stage. His checkout conversion is scary good, and in a best-of-sevens format at the Worlds, that could carry him deep. Watch out—he’s the one who’ll have the Dutch fans roaring from the rafters.”
Rounding out Price’s endorsements is Jurjen van der Velde, another Dutch wunderkind at just 20 years old. The 2024 World Youth Championship runner-up, van der Velde combines blistering pace with tactical nous, often outpacing opponents with flurries of maximums. His recent ProTour showings, including a last-32 finish at the Players Championship Finals, hint at untapped potential. Price, ever the mentor figure, praised his composure. “Jurjen’s a bit of a wildcard, but in the best way—young, hungry, and throws darts like he’s got ice in his veins, just like the nickname,” he quipped. “He pushed the champion all the way in the Youth final; that resilience will serve him well. If he gets a kind draw, he could be the surprise package, maybe even snatching a scalp from a seed. The Netherlands is producing talent like it’s going out of fashion.”
Price’s endorsements come at a pivotal time for darts. The sport is in the midst of a renaissance, fueled by global broadcasts, skyrocketing attendance, and the influx of young blood challenging the established elite like Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and defending champion Luke Littler. The expanded 128-player field at the 2025/26 Worlds means more opportunities for breakthroughs, but also fiercer early-round battles. Price himself has voiced frustrations with the format tweaks—arguing that while the top prize swells, lower payouts haven’t kept pace, potentially squeezing the mid-tier pros. “It’s great for the spectacle, but we need to look after everyone,” he reflected post-Minehead. Still, his optimism shines through when discussing these protégés. “Darts is evolving, and these four are leading the charge. They’ve got the tools to make history—brilliant players, brilliant stories.”
As the first arrows fly in London, all eyes will be on whether Price’s prophecies hold true. Will Rock’s power game overwhelm the qualifiers? Can Dobey channel his grit into a deep run? Might van Veen or van der Velde spark a Dutch invasion? In a tournament famed for its twists—from Phil Taylor’s dominance to Raymond van Barneveld’s tearful triumphs—these young stars have the chance to ignite their own legends. For Price, it’s simple: the future is bright, and it’s darting straight toward Alexandra Palace. With his words lingering like a perfectly aimed treble 20, the Worlds suddenly feel even more unmissable—a cauldron of dreams where the Iceman’s tips could well thaw into triumphs.
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