Ryan Searle Not Sure If His "Face Fits" the Premier League Despite World Championship Semi-Final Run

‘Heavy Metal’ Ryan Searle became the first player at the 2026 World Darts Championship to book his place in the semi-finals after producing a statement 5-2 victory over Welsh number one Jonny Clayton.

It marked by far the deepest run of Searle’s career at the sport’s showpiece event, eclipsing his previous best of three last-16 exits. 

More significantly, it was also the biggest win of his professional career.

Record Prize Money and Rankings Leap

Thanks to the expanded player field and revamped prize money structure at this year’s tournament, Searle has already banked a career-high £200,000, with the eventual winner set to take home a historic £1million for the first time.

That payday has catapulted the Englishman up to provisional world number seven on the PDC Order of Merit. One more win would guarantee him a top-four finish, a minimum £400,000 payday for reaching the final, and, crucially, automatic qualification for the 2026 Premier League.

Premier League Picture Comes Into Focus

The Premier League line-up is traditionally announced live on Sky Sports News the day after the World Championship final. If the format remains unchanged, eight players will be selected, the top four in the world automatically qualifying, with the remaining four chosen jointly by the PDC and Sky Sports.

While Searle is now all but guaranteed to finish inside the world’s top eight, selection is not assured unless he reaches the top four.

However, on pure merit alone, his Ally Pally run has put him firmly into the conversation.

A Proud Moment — With Perspective

Following his win over Clayton, Searle reflected on his new provisional ranking and what it means for his career, admitting pride, but also realism.

"It's a proud moment,” Searle began. 

"Do I feel like I deserve that? I'm not sure, from just one tournament run…"

"But like I say, with the worlds now, with the money, the way it is, that's what can happen. So, we'll see where we go from here.”

World Series Ambitions 

Searle hopes his surge up the rankings could also open the door to invitations for the PDC’s World Series events. Unlike the Premier League, each World Series tournament typically features eight invited PDC stars taking on local qualifiers, before culminating in an annual Finals event.

Next year’s series is set to visit destinations including New Zealand, Copenhagen, Australia, New York, and Saudi Arabia.

"It'd be nice to get some World Series call ups and stuff like that, but we'll see what happens.”

Premier League Dream — Just Once

When asked directly about his Premier League hopes, Searle admitted it is something he has quietly aspired to, even if only for a single season.

"I've said privately that the Premier League is something that I would like to do once, just to say that I've done it. Whether this is the year, I don't know.”

Searle pointed to Chris Dobey as a recent example of how a strong World Championship run can fast-track a player into the Premier League spotlight.

"If you look at Chris Dobey last year, he had a similar path to me where in previous majors he didn't do a huge amount and then got to the worlds, made a semi and they put him in.”

Searle will be hoping history repeats itself, potentially at Dobey’s expense.

“I’m Not Sure Whether My Face Fits”

Known for his unorthodox throwing action, long hair and love of heavy metal music, Searle questioned whether his image could work against him if selection comes down to discretion rather than rankings.

"I’m not sure whether my face fits for that, but we'll see what happens.”

When pressed on what he meant, his explanation was blunt.

“Look at me, it’s a simple as that. We’ll leave that there.”

Despite those doubts, Searle made it clear he would not hesitate if the call came.

“Obviously, if they ask me, I’ll say yes. I’d snap their hand off for it,” he concluded.