The Players Championship series is meant to feature the best 128 players in the world, but a mass exodus of stars from this week's events in Hildesheim has raised serious questions about the venue. Over 15 players have withdrawn from the ProTour events, with big names like Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock, and Stephen Bunting all skipping the German stop. Littler has not played on the ProTour all season and is unlikely to, having previously said he would only play tournaments close to his home in Wigan — though he hasn't done that either, only recently turning up to collect a gift from Justin Hood.
The withdrawals have left the PDC red-faced, especially after giving all top 16 players back-door entries into European Tours, only for most to not bother. Michael van Gerwen is an anomaly, playing both in Austria and Hildesheim this week, as he prioritises ranking points ahead of the World Championship. But others are showing change might be needed. The full list of absentees for Players Championship 14 includes: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock, Stephen Bunting, Ryan Searle, Nathan Aspinall, Daryl Gurney, Cameron Menzies, Bradley Brooks, Oskar Lukasiak, Greg Ritchie, and Carl Sneyd. Ryan Joyce missed Monday but played Tuesday.
Hildesheim has long been blamed for depleted fields, with Jonny Clayton previously saying at the World Grand Prix: '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.' He added: 'But those are the only ones I missed — I try to get to everything else.' The location poses travel issues from parts of Europe, including the UK, and even call-ups have been problematic, with players low on the Challenge Tour rejecting deputising roles because they couldn't get to Hildesheim in time.
Despite the absentees, the same names continue to dominate. Chris Dobey and Wessel Nijman have been the standout performers this year, regardless of who plays. Kevin Doets won the title on Monday by defeating Luke Woodhouse, a first-time winner, though both have been regular latter-stage stars. Doets is part of a new crop of Dutch talent alongside Zonneveld and Wattimena. With burgeoning nations like Belgium and Poland rising, the question remains: should the PDC move the ProTours to an easier destination, or are players being too protected? Lost luggage and passport queues have also led to gripes from players like Dobey, Aspinall, and Clayton, with some mooting a boycott of further events. Hildesheim has been a staple, but the number of withdrawals this week poses the big question: is it time for a rethink?
