Few names on the PDC circuit generate as much affection from fans as Ricky Evans. Nicknamed “Rapid” for his lightning-quick throwing style, Ricky Evans has spent over a decade building a reputation as one of darts’ most entertaining and resilient competitors. This article covers his career, his biggest wins, his personal life, and why he remains a fan favourite heading into the 2026 season.
Whether you’re searching for his latest results, curious about his win over Gerwyn Price, or want to know more about his life away from the oche, this guide brings everything together in one place.
Who Is Ricky Evans?
Ricky Evans was born on 29 July 1990 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. He picked up darts in 2005 and has never looked back, turning professional with the Professional Darts Corporation in 2013 after earning his tour card at Qualifying School. Before that, he spent several years trying to break through on the BDO circuit between 2007 and 2012, without success a grind that many now see as the foundation of his current staying power.
His nickname isn’t marketing spin. Ricky Evans throws his darts at a genuinely startling pace compared to most players on tour, barely pausing between throws. That speed has become his calling card, and it’s part of why crowds warm to him so quickly at televised events.
Key facts about Ricky Evans:
- Full name: Ricky Evans
- Nickname: “Rapid”
- Born: 29 July 1990, Kettering, England
- Turned professional: 2013 (PDC Tour Card holder since)
- Darts used: 20g Bull’s NL Signature set
- Walk-on music: Has included “Like a Prayer” by Madonna and “YMCA” by the Village People
Ricky Evans Darts Career: A Timeline of Progress
Ricky Evans darts fans often point to his consistency rather than a single career-defining title. He hasn’t lifted a major PDC trophy yet, but his run of results tells a story of steady improvement rather than a flash in the pan.
The Early Years
As a youth player, Ricky Evans reached the final of the 2013 PDC World Youth Championship, finishing runner-up to Michael Smith a result that hinted at his potential long before he became a regular on Sky Sports coverage. He also picked up PDC Development Tour titles during this period, sharpening his game against players his own age before stepping into the senior ranks full time.
Breaking Through on the Big Stage
For years, Ricky Evans was known as a solid Pro Tour performer without a signature run at a major. That changed at the 2024 UK Open, where he produced the best result of his career, reaching the semi-finals. Along the way, he beat then-world number one Luke Humphries and reigning world champion Rob Cross two results that instantly elevated his profile among casual darts fans.
He backed that up with a runner-up finish at a Players Championship event in May 2024, losing out to Mike De Decker in the final. Ricky Evans has now reached six PDC Pro Tour finals in total, including two on the European Tour, and made the quarter-finals of the 2019 European Championship.
2025 and the Grand Slam Breakthrough
The 2025 season brought another milestone. Ricky Evans qualified for the PDC World Darts Championship and went on to reach the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts for the first time in his career, a tournament format that rewards consistency across a group stage before the knockout rounds even begin.
The Gerwyn Price Ricky Evans Match: A Career-Defining Result
Ask any darts fan about the Gerwyn Price Ricky Evans match from the 2025 Grand Slam group stage, and they’ll tell you it was one of the standout shocks of the tournament. On 8 November 2025, Ricky Evans defeated former world champion Gerwyn Price during the group phase, a result that helped propel him toward his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final.
Price is a former world number one and one of the most physically imposing players on tour, known for his aggressive on-stage demeanour and big-match temperament. Beating him isn’t something that happens by accident. For Ricky Evans, the win over Price wasn’t just a scalp, it was proof that his big-stage performances at the 2024 UK Open weren’t a one-off.
Why did this result matter so much?
- It came against a genuine elite player. Price has multiple major titles to his name, so beating him carries real weight on the circuit.
- It happened at a marquee event. The Grand Slam of Darts is one of the sport’s most-watched tournaments outside the World Championship.
- It extended a pattern. Combined with his UK Open run in 2024, the Gerwyn Price Ricky Evans match confirmed that Evans performs when the stakes rise, not just in routine Pro Tour events.
Playing Style: Why “Rapid” Fits
Darts is often a slow, deliberate sport built around routine and rhythm, which makes Ricky Evans stand out even more. He barely breaks stride between darts, throwing with a speed that unsettles opponents who are used to longer pre-throw routines. Commentators frequently note how his tempo can shift the mood of a match, especially when he’s finding his rhythm during a big scoring leg.
This isn’t just showmanship. Fast throwing, when paired with accuracy, can put psychological pressure on opponents who don’t get time to reset between visits to the oche. It’s a genuine tactical trait, not just an entertaining quirk, and it’s central to understanding what makes Ricky Evans darts performances so watchable.
Ricky Evans Girlfriend and Life Away From Darts
Fans searching for details on the Ricky Evans girlfriend situation will find that he’s been open about a difficult personal chapter followed by a happier one. Earlier in the year, Evans lost his sister, Elisha, describing her as his best friend and admitting he didn’t know how he’d cope with the loss.
Since then, he has spoken publicly about finding happiness again, confirming he has a girlfriend and crediting his improved form partly to his personal life stabilising. He’s been candid that playing well and feeling happy off the oche go hand in hand for him, a refreshingly honest admission in a sport where players don’t always discuss mental health and personal wellbeing openly.
Evans has also spoken about family in a broader sense, mentioning plans to bring his mother to the World Championship at Alexandra Palace for the first time, calling it a moment he’s arguably prouder of than the tournament qualification itself.
Ricky Evans World Ranking and Tournament History
As of the 2026 season, Ricky Evans sits inside the world’s top 50, a reflection of consistent Pro Tour performances rather than a single headline run. Here’s a snapshot of his best results across the sport’s major events:
| Tournament | Best Result | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| PDC World Championship | Last 32 | 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| UK Open | Semi-final | 2024 |
| Grand Slam of Darts | Quarter-final | 2025 |
| European Championship | Quarter-final | 2019 |
| World Matchplay | Last 32 | 2019, 2020 |
| World Grand Prix | Last 32 | 2018, 2019 |
This table underlines something competitors and pundits both recognise: Ricky Evans qualifies for the World Championship almost every year, which is no small feat given how competitive PDC Q-School and the wider tour have become.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ricky Evans
Is Ricky Evans a professional darts player? Yes. Ricky Evans has held a PDC Tour Card since 2013 and competes regularly on the Pro Tour, European Tour, and at major televised events including the World Championship.
Why is Ricky Evans called “Rapid”? The nickname comes from his throwing speed. Ricky Evans releases his darts far quicker than most professionals, rarely pausing to reset his stance between throws.
Has Ricky Evans won a major PDC title? Not yet. His best major result so far is a semi-final appearance at the 2024 UK Open, along with a Players Championship final and a Grand Slam quarter-final in 2025.
Did Ricky Evans really beat Gerwyn Price? Yes. The Gerwyn Price Ricky Evans match at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts group stage ended in victory for Evans, helping him reach the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time.
Where is Ricky Evans from? He was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, on 29 July 1990.
Final Thoughts
Ricky Evans has built his career the hard way, through years of Pro Tour grinding, a difficult personal loss, and a steady climb rather than an overnight breakthrough. His win over Gerwyn Price and his run to the 2024 UK Open semi-final show a player capable of matching the sport’s biggest names on the biggest stages, and his openness about his girlfriend and family life adds a human dimension that fans genuinely connect with.
If you’re following the PDC this season, keep an eye on Ricky Evans. Between his rapid-fire throwing style and his knack for producing big results when it matters, he’s one of the more compelling stories in darts right now, and there’s every reason to think his best results are still ahead of him.
