The Players Championship series roared into Hildesheim for Events 13 and 14 over the past two days (4-5 May) with Kevin Doets and Wessel Nijman crowned champions. Nijman claimed his fifth Players Championship title of the year and sixth ranking title of the season, while Doets won his first PDC ranking title, ironically defeating Luke Woodhouse in the final. The double-header raised discussion points about Nijman being the next big Dutch hope to replace MVG and challenge Van Veen, whether Max Hopp is now the top German, and whether the tournaments in Hildesheim should be moved.
Wessel Nijman continues to defy his perceived ceiling. The Dutchman stormed to his fifth Players Championship title on Tuesday, placing him in elite company alongside legends such as Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson. Speaking afterwards, he said he doesn't care about records or even Blackpool in two months; he cares about the here and now and being the best version of Wessel Nijman he can be. Nijman is the first player to win five Players Championship titles in a calendar year since Michael van Gerwen in 2016. He is already approaching £100,000 in the Players Championship Order of Merit at the beginning of May.
Kevin Doets showed why he is one of the players to beat, winning his first title finally. He had already reached seven quarter-finals or semi-finals this season, making it clear that a breakthrough victory was only a matter of time. The title also secures him spots at both the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix later this year. For Dutch darts, it's an encouraging development, with a new generation stepping up as Van Gerwen is no longer as dominant and established names like Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jermaine Wattimena struggle for form.
Max Hopp perhaps showed the dismal state of German darts, as Martin Schindler has not even reached a Quarter-Final this year, while 'Maximiser' has reached a final. Hopp made an unlikely return to the Pro Tour in 2025 after years of sporting struggles, and at Players Championship 14 he crowned an already strong season with a run to the final. He is now well on course to retain his Tour Card, return to Alexandra Palace, and is currently even occupying a provisional qualification spot for the World Grand Prix. Hopp's resurgence suggests renewed confidence and a return to the level that once marked him out as one of Germany's leading talents.
The double-header also raised the issue of the venue. Once again, dozens of players decided they didn't fancy it and didn't play. Many of the top names have decided to either play exhibitions, attend Alex Warren concerts if you're Luke Littler or Stephen Bunting, or generally have the Bank Holiday weekend in the UK off with zero darts. Van Gerwen was the only Premier League player to make the trip. Hildesheim has often been hard to get to, and whether they look at moving is very much on the cards, given that it has been going on for years while tournaments get played there. The PDC may need to re-think re-locating from Halle 39.
