World Grand Prix 2025 Darts: Jonny Clayton says PDC Pro Tour Should Stay in the UK

Jonny Clayton has called for the PDC to reconsider holding Pro Tour events in Hildesheim, Germany, citing the sheer amount of travel as a major factor in his decision to skip the tournaments.

Clayton Opts Out of German Pro Tour Events

‘The Ferret’ confirmed he deliberately missed the Players Championship 26-27 events, despite the fierce race for ranking points near the top of the Order of Merit.

The majority of the PDC’s Pro Tour events are still held in the UK, with Leicester and Wigan serving as two of the main hubs. These tournaments provide vital opportunities for lower-ranked professionals to climb the rankings and qualify for several televised majors, including the World Matchplay and the Players Championship Finals.

Pro Tour events primarily feature professional darts players who hold a PDC Tour Card, alongside a small number of amateur call-ups and regional qualifiers from the European Tour.

“You know I didn’t go to Germany for the Pro Tour events in Hildesheim simply because I don’t think we should have them there,” Clayton told the media earlier this week. 

“But those are the only ones I missed, I try to get to everything else.”

UK-First? Clayton Thinks So

Following his second-round win over Luke Woodhouse, Clayton was asked to clarify his stance on the German venue.

“This is just my opinion, other players might think differently. We’re out in Europe so much throughout the year with the Europeans and stuff, which I don’t disagree with at all,” he explained. 

“But the Pro Tour is going that way as well. It is just not for me to be honest. I just don’t want to be there more than I have to,” Clayton told SportsBoom.co.uk.

When asked if he had any particular issues with the German venue itself, Clayton was clear it was not the location that bothered him, but rather the added travel commitments. He believes there are already enough tournaments outside of the UK and Ireland to accommodate players without expanding the Pro Tour further across Europe.

“No, Nothing at all against that. It's just we're out there, I think it's 15 times next year. I think with the Europeans, you've got the World Cup, you've got the European finals, the World Series. It's just my opinion; it counts for nothing. But at the end of the day, it's just my feelings.”

A Global Sport, But a Personal Stance

Clayton’s position contrasts with the increasingly international makeup of the sport. Just under half of PDC Tour Card holders (62 out of 128) now come from outside the UK and Ireland, making a strong case for more events to be held across Europe and beyond. 

However, Clayton’s comments reveal a more personal, pragmatic approach: minimising travel and staying closer to home.

While his view may spark debate among players and fans, it highlights the ongoing balance the PDC must strike between expanding darts globally and managing the demands placed on players. For Clayton, the priority remains simple.