In a thrilling display of darts prowess, Gerwyn Price stormed to victory at Players Championship 26 in Hildesheim, Germany, cementing his status as one of the sport’s elite. The 40-year-old Welshman, known as “The Iceman,” delivered a performance for the ages, defeating rising star Gian van Veen 8-5 in a final that had fans on the edge of their seats. Averaging an astonishing 109.28 and landing a record-breaking 13 maximums, Price showcased both his technical brilliance and mental fortitude, overcoming a fierce comeback from the young Dutchman to secure his fourth Players Championship title of 2025 and claim the £15,000 top prize.
Price’s journey to the final was a testament to his resilience. The day began with a commanding 6-2 win over Dom Taylor, where he posted a 108 average, setting the tone for a grueling campaign. What followed was a series of nail-biting battles, each requiring Price to dig deep. Against James Hurrell, he survived a scare, clawing back from the brink after Hurrell missed five match darts. Price then dispatched Brendan Dolan 6-2 before staging dramatic comebacks against Andy Baetens and Wessel Nijman, overturning deficits of 4-1 and 4-2, respectively. His semi-final clash with William O’Connor was another rollercoaster, with Price rallying from 5-2 and 6-4 down to secure a 7-6 victory. “I think I deserved to win today, my back was against the wall a couple of times,” Price reflected, acknowledging the relentless fight required to reach the final.
The championship match against Van Veen was a spectacle of skill and drama. Fresh off a 6-0 thrashing of Price in the Czech Darts Open quarter-finals just days earlier, Van Veen entered the final with confidence. But Price, fueled by a desire for redemption, came out firing. He roared to a 6-0 lead, dazzling the crowd with a 122 checkout in the opening leg and a stunning 129 finish to double his advantage. His early barrage saw him averaging over 115, a blistering pace that threatened to overwhelm his opponent. “I had to battle there,” Price admitted, recalling the intensity of the moment. “I thought I outplayed him, but I couldn’t take my chances midway through the game.”
Van Veen, however, refused to go quietly. The World Youth Champion sparked a remarkable resurgence, rattling off five consecutive legs to close the gap to 6-5. His highlight was a jaw-dropping 164 checkout on the bull, a moment that silenced the crowd and had Price fearing a repeat of their previous encounter. “Towards the end, Gian took out the 164, and I thought, ‘Here we go again,’” Price said, his voice tinged with both respect and relief. But the three-time Grand Slam champion steadied himself, unleashing a sublime 11-darter in the 12th leg and pinning double five after another pair of 180s to seal the victory.
This triumph wasn’t just about the trophy—it marked a personal milestone for Price, who has battled challenges both on and off the oche. An infected hand forced him to withdraw from the Flanders Darts Trophy in August, making his return to top form all the more remarkable. “It’s been a frustrating few weeks with the infection in my hand, but I’m glad I’m here and I’m glad I won today,” he shared, his relief palpable. The win propelled Price to the top of the Players Championship rankings, leapfrogging Van Veen and solidifying his dominance in the ProTour circuit.
Van Veen’s path to the final was no less impressive, with comfortable wins over Karel Sedlacek, Ricky Evans, Stephen Burton, Mickey Mansell, and Ross Smith, capped by a standout 7-4 victory over Gary Anderson in the semi-finals, where he averaged over 104. Yet, despite his valiant fightback, he couldn’t overcome Price’s relentless precision. For Price, the victory was a reminder of his enduring class in a sport increasingly defined by its depth of talent. As he looks ahead to the World Grand Prix and beyond, “The Iceman” is proving that his fire still burns bright, ready to take on all comers in the unpredictable world of darts.
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