The darts calendar reaches one of its most anticipated climaxes this weekend as the Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals returns to Butlin’s Minehead Resort from November 21-23. This £600,000 tournament stands out on the PDC circuit as the only major event seeded purely from the one-year Players Championship Order of Merit, rewarding consistency across the gruelling 34 floor events rather than overall world rankings. With £120,000 awaiting the champion and a packed field of 64 hungry competitors, expect high drama, shock upsets, and blistering averages in the short-format early rounds that have become synonymous with this event.
Gerwyn Price enters as the top seed after a dominant floor season that saw him claim four Players Championship titles, edging out rising Dutch star Wessel Nijman in second place. The Iceman will kick off his campaign against Germany’s Max Hopp, who dramatically clung to the 64th and final qualifying spot. Price’s reward for his consistency is a favourable draw, but in a tournament known for its unpredictability, nothing is guaranteed. Other top seeds include Damon Heta in third, Ross Smith fourth after a strong year, and Chris Dobey fifth with three titles to his name.
The draw has thrown up intriguing storylines from the outset. Reigning champion Luke Humphries, bidding for a historic third consecutive title, finds himself unseeded at 58th on the Players Championship rankings – a consequence of prioritising televised majors over floor events. Cool Hand Luke faces a daunting opener against seventh seed Gian van Veen, the European Champion who has already beaten him three times in 2025, including in last month’s European Championship final. This blockbuster clash headlines Friday’s action and could end Humphries’ defence before it truly begins.
On the opposite side of the bracket sits world number one Luke Littler, seeded 36th and placed in the top half. The Nuke, still seeking his first Players Championship Finals crown after falling to Humphries in last year’s final, starts against Sweden’s Jeffrey de Graaf. A potential second-round clash with fourth seed Ross Smith or young German Niko Springer looms, and with Littler and Humphries on a collision course for the final, fans are buzzing about another chapter in their riveting rivalry.
The first round features several mouth-watering ties. Two-time world champion Gary Anderson meets Belgium’s Mario Vandenbogaerde, while Stephen Bunting, seeded eighth, takes on the dangerous Ritchie Edhouse. Rob Cross, a former finalist, opens against Polish sensation Sebastian Bialecki, and there’s an all-Dutch battle between Jermaine Wattimena and Wesley Plaisier. Veterans like James Wade, Jonny Clayton, and Dave Chisnall will also be in action, reminding everyone that experience counts in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Minehead.
Notably absent is Michael van Gerwen, who sensationally missed out on qualification for the first time in over a decade – a stark illustration of how unforgiving the floor tour can be when big names focus elsewhere. His shock omission opens the door wider for the new generation, with emerging talents like Josh Rock, Niels Zonneveld, and Bradley Brooks all capable of deep runs.
The schedule packs intense action across three days. Friday November 21 sees the first round unfold in afternoon (from 12:45 GMT) and evening sessions, with matches best of 11 legs. Saturday brings the second round in the afternoon and third round in the evening (best of 19 legs), before Sunday’s quarter-finals (afternoon, best of 19), followed by semi-finals and the final in the evening (both best of 21 legs). Adding extra spice to Sunday night, the Winmau World Youth Championship final between reigning champion Gian van Veen and women’s sensation Beau Greaves will slot between the semis and the main event final – a fitting showcase for darts’ bright future.
Predictions are flying thick and fast in the darts world. Many fancy Gerwyn Price to capitalise on his top seeding and floor form, with his power scoring perfectly suited to the longer formats later in the tournament. Others point to Danny Noppert’s superb 2025, where he’s reached five major semi-finals, as a dark horse in a loaded bottom half. Josh Rock’s explosive scoring makes him a perennial threat, while Gian van Veen arrives brimming with confidence after his European triumph.
Yet in this event, short formats level the playing field dramatically. As one analyst noted, “the only realistic scenario in which Littler can currently be beaten is in short formats – like those used in the early rounds.” Upsets are almost guaranteed, and momentum could carry an underdog all the way. With the World Championship just weeks away, players are desperate for a confidence-boosting title or at least some match sharpness.
Minehead has delivered unforgettable moments year after year – from Humphries’ back-to-back triumphs to legendary comebacks and nine-darters. This edition promises more of the same: a relentless barrage of 180s, clutch finishes, and raw emotion. Whether it’s Price reclaiming his status as a floor king, Humphries defying the odds once again, or a breakout star announcing themselves on the big stage, the Players Championship Finals rarely disappoints. Darts fans, clear your schedules – this weekend is unmissable.
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