• Stars have hit out at a ‘freezing’ venue with little atmosphere in the Netherlands 
  • Players are competing in the third tournament of the Players Championship
  • Michael van Gerwen suffered a shock first-round exit on his return to action 

By LUKE POWER

Darts stars have slammed the sport’s governing body for hosting a competition in a ‘freezing’ and empty venue in the Netherlands.

The third tournament of the Players Championship circuit is being played in the Autotron in Rosmalen on Monday and Tuesday.

The temperature has stooped as low as -4C and the conditions has left multiple stars angry, including a five-time PDC ranking title champion.

Players depend on reliable conditions to play their best game and playing in sub-zero temperatures can affect their grip on the darts. 

Footage from the tournament shows big names such as Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Raymond van Barneveld going through the motions in a silent, dimly silent room – a far cry from the roistering atmosphere at the recent World Darts Championship.

‘Really disappointed with the playing conditions today in Rosmalen,’ wrote Daryl Gurney, a former world No 3 who has won five PDC ranking titles. 

Darts stars, including Daryl Gurney, have hit out at the ‘freezing’ conditions at a venue in the Netherlands

Stars are playing in a quiet, blacked-out room for the Players Championship third round

Stars are playing in a quiet, blacked-out room for the Players Championship third round

Michael Van Gerwen was knocked out of the first round on his return to the PDC Pro Tour

Michael Van Gerwen was knocked out of the first round on his return to the PDC Pro Tour

‘The venue is freezing, and no consideration of the location for players. A bad decisions on the PDC’s behalf and the players deserve better!!! 

‘When I was warming up I was shaking with cold!,’ another player, Sebastian Bialecki, is reported to have said. 

One darts writer said: ‘The amount of sub-80 averages today is staggering. I reckon the conditions in the venue aren’t great.’

This tournament has been something of a homecoming for Van Gerwen, who was born around 11 miles away in Boxton. 

However, on his first PDC Pro Tour match of the season, he crashd out in the first round.

Mighty Mike suffered a shock 4-3 defeat to Michael Flynn on Monday afternoon to mark a disappointing return to the circuit after reaching the final at the World Championship.

The PDC has not yet responded to criticism of the venue. 

Some fans, however, were not impressed with the stars’ moaning.

Underneath Gurney’s condemnatory post, one wrote: ‘All top players moan if it’s too cold or too hot, just get on with it, you’re a professional.’ 

Another said: ‘Good news is, same conditions for all players. Raise the issue internally with the PDC.’

:
Darts stars slam ‘freezing’ conditions at empty trade fair venue in the Netherlands – as five-time champion issues damning PDC verdict

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