In the demanding grind of the PDC ProTour, where players chase crucial ranking points through a grueling schedule of floor events, frustrations can boil over quickly—especially when logistics turn chaotic right at the season’s outset. Chris Dobey, the 2023 World Championship semi-finalist and a consistent force on the circuit, has voiced his exasperation after a nightmare start to the 2026 campaign, declaring the situation a outright “shambles” and hinting strongly that he may opt out of future Players Championship tournaments.
The trouble began before the first Players Championship (PC1) even got underway in Hildesheim, Germany. Dobey, like many tour pros, relies on reliable travel to haul his gear—darts, flights, and all the essentials needed for competition. But upon landing from his first flight of the year, disaster struck: his entire luggage, including his precious set of darts, vanished. The airline mishap left him scrambling, a scenario that’s all too familiar for frequent flyers but particularly punishing in a sport where customized equipment is everything.
Taking to social media to vent, Dobey didn’t mince words. “First flight of the year done and same result no f***ing luggage,” he posted, tagging the carrier KLM directly. He escalated his criticism, labeling the repeated issue a “shambles again!” and connecting it to broader reluctance about committing to the full ProTour slate. “There’s a reason I didn’t bother doing any of these last year. Probs be my last this year,” he wrote, making it clear this could mark the end of his participation in these floor events for the foreseeable future.
Despite the setback, Dobey pushed through and made the trip to Germany anyway. He showed resilience on stage, powering past Tom Bissell 6-3 in his opening round to reach the last 64. However, his run ended in a tight 6-4 defeat to Scotland’s Greg Ritchie, a result that underscored the physical and mental toll of competing under duress. He remains entered for PC2 the following day, but his pointed comments suggest a growing disillusionment with the demands of the tour’s lower-tier events.
Dobey’s outburst isn’t isolated. The decision to stage ProTour tournaments in Germany has long irked several players, who argue the locations add unnecessary travel burdens without proportional benefits. With most tour card holders based in England or nearby, the flights and associated costs pile up, especially when crowds and ticket revenue aren’t factors in these non-televised, open-entry events. Jonny Clayton was blunt about it back in November, stating plainly, “I don’t think we should have them there.” Joe Cullen echoed similar sentiments in 2024, noting, “Germany is a huge market and an amazing place to play darts (with a crowd). I can’t see the value in having pro tours there as there’s no ticket sales?!?!”
The ProTour remains vital for building rankings and prize money, but for top talents, the grind can feel disproportionate when majors and broadcast events offer bigger rewards and better conditions. PC1 saw several high-profile absences—Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Josh Rock, Stephen Bunting, and Jonny Clayton all sat it out, with their spots filled by the top five from the PDC Challenge Tour. This allowed more opportunities for emerging and regional players, with 15 Germans in the field, including world number 15 Martin Schindler (who suffered a shock 6-0 whitewash loss to Maik Kuivenhoven, averaging just 65), Lukas Wenig, Gabriel Clemens, and Max Hopp advancing deeper. Dutch representation was strong too, with stars like Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, and Raymond van Barneveld competing.
Dobey’s threat to step back carries weight given his track record. A former Masters champion and multiple Players Championship winner, he’s proven he can thrive when focused, but the cumulative frustrations—travel woes, logistical headaches, and perhaps the sense that these events don’t always reward the effort—have pushed him to a tipping point. His experience highlights ongoing debates within the PDC about event scheduling, player welfare, and balancing the calendar for both established pros and rising talents.
As the 2026 season unfolds, with PC2 looming and more ProTours on the horizon, Dobey’s stance could spark wider conversation. Players deserve smoother journeys to perform at their best, and when basics like luggage go awry, it undermines the professionalism the tour prides itself on. Whether Dobey follows through on potentially skipping future events remains to be seen, but his candid frustration serves as a stark reminder: even in a sport of precision and poise, the road to success can sometimes feel like a total shambles.
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