The race for the Players Championship Finals in Minehead is intensifying, and two of darts' biggest names are in serious danger of missing out. Gary Anderson and Michael Smith are teetering on the edge of the top 64 in the Players Championship Order of Merit, with the cut-off for the end-of-November showpiece looming large.
Anderson, who has often skipped events as of late, currently occupies 58th place with £29,750 in prize money. The Scot's position is precarious, with only a strong run from the likes of Jim Long or Bradley Brooks able to unseat him. Michael Smith is also in trouble, sitting 61st, while Martin Schindler, who continues his abject year, is 60th. All three will be sweating in the coming weeks.
Nathan Aspinall is another big name currently out of contention. He added vital money with a round-four finish in Den Bosch, but likely needs to play more ProTours to get close to qualifying. Josh Rock sits 71st, which is not terminal but far from comfortable, while Peter Wright is all the way down in 89th. Luke Littler, meanwhile, is safe in the knowledge that he won't play another ProTour after his clean sweep dream died.
The latest Den Bosch double-header saw Cameron Menzies win the title at Players Championship 29, and he was the main riser, moving from 35th to 11th. William O'Connor also climbed from 19th to 12th, while Jeffrey de Graaf shifted up to 17th from 18th. The Players Championship series comprises 34 tournaments across Hildesheim, Wigan, Leicester, Milton Keynes and, for the first time in 2026, Den Bosch. The top names, including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, have all been in action over the year, with the ProTour serving as the bread and butter for major qualification.
The top 64 in the Players Championship Order of Merit, determined by total prize money won in Players Championship events, will qualify for the Finals in Minehead. As in 2025, when the likes of Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall and Luke Humphries had to qualify late and Michael van Gerwen missed out entirely, the race is proving unforgiving. Wessel Nijman currently leads the standings with £149,000, ahead of Kevin Doets (£103,250) and Chris Dobey (£98,500).
