Darts player Gerwyn Price is one of 128 players taking part in the inaugural Home Tour series which gets underway this evening (Friday, April 17).
The competition, which has been set up by the Professional Darts Corporation to give players the chance to continue competing, as well as providing fans of the sport with entertainment during the coronavirus lockdown, will be the first of its kind.
PDC events have been suspended since March 19 because of the pandemic, with the Premier League and various tour events being subsequently postponed.
Price, the two-time back-to-back Grand Slam of Darts champion, is currently ranked third in the PDC Order of Merit and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship which was held over the festive period.
He gets his campaign underway on Saturday evening, where he will compete in Group Two alongside Rowby-John Rodriquez, Luke Woodhouse and Ted Evetts – who became the first male to be defeated by a female player at the World Championship when he fell to Fallon Sherrock in December.
The 35-year-old former rugby union player, who lives in Markham, is the strong favourite to advance from his group.
Barry Hearn, the chairman of the PDC, said: “It gives me great excitement that we are able to deliver live darts to fans in these unprecedented times.
“We’ve spent the last few weeks planning and looking at what is possible, and I’m delighted to be able to present a concept which gives all Tour Card Holders the opportunity to take part.
“The PDC Home Tour will provide a regular supply of live sport to fans, showcasing the talent and unique characters of our players to both existing and new audiences.”
The competition will follow a nightly league format and consists of four players competing against each other once in a first to five legs match, with a winner crowned on each of the 32 nights.
Following the conclusion of the 32 consecutive nights of action, the winners from each group will advance to the second round of the tournament.
It was announced earlier today that Gary Anderson, the two-time World champion, will not take part in the competition because his internet connection is not fast enough.
The action will be available for free to all darts fans with a PDCTV account.