Darts legend Gary Anderson ponders European Tour boycott over passport issue: 'I can't do that'

Callum Vurley
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:55:37 +0000

Gary Anderson has opened up about his recent absence from the European Tour, and it turns out the two-time world champion hasn't lost interest in the competition at all.

Speaking to Online Darts at Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton, the Scottish star explained he's simply been occupied with other commitments that don't always fit neatly into darts' increasingly packed schedule.

"It's alright," Anderson said. "I've been missing for a few weeks, but I've just been busy with other things. So it's nice to get back playing."

However, one particular experience in Poland left a sour taste. A gruelling three-and-a-half-hour wait at customs proved the final straw for Anderson, who admitted the ordeal pushed him over the edge.

"I enjoyed it, until I went to Poland and it took us three and a half hours to get through customs. That was it, I lost the plot after that," Anderson revealed.

The frustration in his voice was unmistakable. While travelling has always come with the territory for professional darts players, Anderson feels certain aspects are becoming increasingly difficult to stomach.

"It's hard enough having to travel now, but standing in queues for three and a half hours I can't do that," he explained.

The Scot issued a clear warning about his future participation if similar delays occur.

"If it's another three and a half hours, you won't see me."

Anderson believes the process should be far simpler: "We've all got passports, quick look at it, 'on you go, have a good time.'"

Despite his limited appearances on tour, Anderson once again delivered when it mattered most at the World Championship, reaching the latter stages of the sport's biggest event.

"Just luck, I think, luck of the draw for me. It's the biggest tournament on the planet, isn't it? That's the one you want to do well in, and I don't know why it happens, but it just seems to fall into place," he said.

As for the Premier League, Anderson confirmed he wouldn't be taking part regardless of whether organisers came calling.

"At my age now, and with the amount of tournaments that are on the boys that are doing it are all youngsters, and if they're pulling out of events already, it's a heavy schedule."

He also cautioned about the format's mental toll: "If you don't get a win in the first couple of weeks, you get into that bubble where you just don't win, and it's a nightmare."

Anderson has plenty of admiration for the next generation of talent coming through, particularly Northern Ireland's Josh Rock.

"I've got a lot of time for Josh. He's going to be a top-four player very shortly in the future of darts," he predicted.

Fellow Scot Mitchell Lawrie has also caught his attention, though Anderson offered a playful nudge: "He'd better hurry up, because I'm not going to be hanging about forever."

The veteran acknowledges the sport is changing rapidly, with established names like Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall soon to be considered the elder statesmen as youngsters flood through the ranks.

As for his own standing, Anderson takes it all in his stride.

"I'll be classed as a dinosaur," he said with characteristic good humour.