Get ready for an electrifying start to the darts season! The Players Championship 1 & 2 in Hildesheim, Germany, are set to kick off, but with a surprising twist: reigning World Champion Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries, alongside other major names, will be notably absent. This unexpected development throws the competition wide open, creating an incredible opportunity for emerging talents and seasoned pros alike to secure crucial ranking points and a head start towards the prestigious 2026 Players Championship Finals. Expect high-stakes action as stars like Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price battle it out, while new faces aim to make their mark on the professional stage.
The Season Kicks Off: High Stakes in Hildesheim
The highly anticipated Players Championship 1 & 2 are about to ignite the professional darts calendar, taking place at Halle 39 in Hildesheim, Germany. These early tournaments are more than just a warm-up; they are critical for players aiming to amass vital ranking money and secure a coveted spot at the 2026 Players Championship Finals in Minehead next November.
Shockwaves: Key Players Absent
In a move that has sent ripples through the darts world, several of the sport’s biggest names have opted out of the opening Players Championship events. World Champion Luke Littler, world number one Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, and Josh Rock will not be making the trip to Hildesheim. Their absence creates a significant void, but also an unparalleled opportunity.
Opening the Door for New Talent
With these top-tier players stepping aside, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has extended invitations to non-tour card holders to complete the field. This is a golden chance for players like Joe Hunt, Martijn Dragt, Jack Tweddell, Steve Lennon, and Tommy Morris to compete against the sport’s elite, gain invaluable experience, and potentially make a name for themselves on the big stage.
Who’s In? A Field Stacked with Champions
Despite the notable absences, the Players Championship 1 & 2 remain packed with world-class talent ready to battle for glory:
- Michael van Gerwen: Fresh off his impressive Premier League Night 1 victory, ‘Mighty Mike’ will be looking to continue his dominant form.
- Gerwyn Price: Last year’s Players Championship table-topper, ‘The Iceman’ is always a force to be reckoned with.
- Gary Anderson: The two-time World Champion and recent World Championship semi-finalist brings his wealth of experience.
- Gian van Veen: A rising star who reached the World Championship Final, eager to build on his breakthrough success.
- Other strong contenders include Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross, Joe Cullen, Danny Noppert, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, and Raymond van Barneveld, ensuring a fiercely competitive field.
The Race for Rankings: Every Point Counts
The financial stakes are incredibly high, and the impact on the season’s rankings cannot be overstated. Currently, less than £150,000 separates Michael van Gerwen (4th in the rankings) and Gerwyn Price (12th). Winning these early events offers a massive boost, allowing players to:
- Rapidly ascend the PDC Order of Merit.
- Secure better seeding for major tournaments throughout the season, potentially leading to easier draws.
- Lay a strong foundation for automatic qualification to prestigious events.
This means every single dart thrown in Hildesheim will carry immense weight, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling year in professional darts.
The Full Field for Players Championship 1 & 2
The field for both Players Championship 1 and Players Championship 2 is identical, showcasing a deep pool of talent. Beyond the headliners, fans can look forward to seeing established names and hopefuls battle it out. A full list of participants includes:
Participants:
- Gary Anderson
- Nathan Aspinall
- Keane Barry
- Owen Bates
- Stefan Bellmont
- Filip Bereza
- Sebastian Bialecki
- Tom Bissell
- Andy Boulton
- Bradley Brooks
- Stephen Burton
- Dave Chisnall
- Gabriel Clemens
- Cam Crabtree
- Rob Cross
- Joe Cullen
- Niall Culleton
- Maximilian Czerwinski
- Mike De Decker
- Jeffrey de Graaf
- Jeffrey de Zwaan
- Cor Dekker
- Chris Dobey
- Kevin Doets
- Brendan Dolan
- Martijn Dragt
- Tavis Dudeney
- Ritchie Edhouse
- Matthias Ehlers
- Ricky Evans
- Adam Gawlas
- Andrew Gilding
- Kai Gotthardt
- Beau Greaves
- Rhys Griffin
- Dominik Gruellich
- Daryl Gurney
- Stefaan Henderyck
- Damon Heta
- Yorick Hofkens
- Justin Hood
- Max Hopp
- Joe Hunt
- James Hurrell
- Kim Huybrechts
- Ryan Joyce
- Tytus Kanik
- Nick Kenny
- Mervyn King
- Christian Kist
- Marvin Kraft
- Maik Kuivenhoven
- Darius Labanauskas
- Chris Landman
- Sietse Lap
- Adam Leek
- Steve Lennon
- Adam Lipscombe
- Pero Ljubic
- Jim Long
- Thomas Lovely
- Oskar Lukasiak
- Martin Lukeman
- Charlie Manby
- Mickey Mansell
- Shane McGuirk
- Ryan Meikle
- Cameron Menzies
- Arno Merk
- Alexander Merkx
- Tommy Morris
- Wessel Nijman
- Danny Noppert
- William O’Connor
- Dennie Olde Kalter
- Rob Owen
- Adam Paxton
- Ricardo Pietreczko
- Darryl Pilgrim
- Wesley Plaisier
- Benjamin Pratnemer
- Gerwyn Price
- Samuel Price
- Krzysztof Ratajski
- Madars Razma
- Cristo Reyes
- Greg Ritchie
- Rusty-Jake Rodriguez
- Stephen Rosney
- Pascal Rupprecht
- Callan Rydz
- Martin Schindler
- Connor Scutt
- Ryan Searle
- Karel Sedlacek
- David Sharp
- Michael Smith
- Ross Smith
- Carl Sneyd
- Alan Soutar
- Jeffrey Sparidaans
- Niko Springer
- Mensur Suljovic
- Tom Sykes
- Tyler Thorpe
- Viktor Tingstrom
- Thibault Tricole
- Jack Tweddell
- Raymond van Barneveld
- Dimitri Van den Bergh
- Jurjen van der Velde
- Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Michael van Gerwen
- Jimmy van Schie
- Gian van Veen
- Marvin van Velzen
- Mario Vandenbogaerde
- Richard Veenstra
- James Wade
- Adam Warner
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Leon Weber
- Lukas Wenig
- Ian White
- Scott Williams
- Luke Woodhouse
- Peter Wright
- Niels Zonneveld
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
