Players Championship Finals

Last updated
Players Championship Finals
Logo-2017 Ladbrokes Players Championship.jpg
Tournament information
Venue Butlins Resort
Location Minehead
Country England
Established2009
Organisation(s) PDC
FormatLegs
Prize fund £600,000
Month(s) PlayedNovember
Current champion(s)
Flag of England.svg   Luke Humphries

The Players Championship Finals is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. The tournament originally featured the top 32 players from the Players Championship Order of Merit, a separate ranking system that only takes into account the non-televised Players Championship events on the PDC Pro Tour. In 2016, the field increased to 64 players. [1]

Contents

The tournament was first announced at the PDC Awards Dinner in January 2008 by PDC chairman Barry Hearn. [2] It was initially held from late January to February, [3] and originally took place at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, the venue for the first 14 PDC World Championships. [4] For the third edition, the event moved to the Doncaster Dome. [5] The 2012 edition took place in December at Butlins Minehead and has remained at that venue for all subsequent tournaments, [6] with the exception of the 2020 tournament, which was moved to Coventry, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finals

YearChampion (average in final)ScoreRunner-up (average in final)Prize moneySponsorVenue
TotalChampionRunner-up
2009 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor (98.04)16–9 Flag of Scotland.svg Robert Thornton (88.52)£200,000£50,000£25,000 Coral.co.uk Circus Tavern, Purfleet
2010 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Nicholson (92.75)13–11 Flag of England.svg Mervyn King (89.74)£250,000£60,000£24,000 totesport.com
2011 (Feb) Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor (97.01)13–12 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson (96.31) Perform Doncaster Dome, Doncaster
2011 (Dec) Flag of England.svg Kevin Painter (96.28)13–9 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Webster (93.31) Cash Converters
2012 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor (103.57)13–6 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Huybrechts (91.70) Butlins Resort, Minehead
2013 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (102.45)11–7 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor (102.64)
2014 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson (101.01)11–6 Flag of England.svg Adrian Lewis (95.37)£300,000£65,000£35,000
2015 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (100.32)11–6 Flag of England.svg Adrian Lewis (89.17)
2016 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (108.34)11–3 Flag of England.svg Dave Chisnall (99.24)£400,000£75,000
2017 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (105.50)11–2 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonny Clayton (94.64)£460,000£100,000£40,000 Mr Green Sport
2018 Ulster Banner.svg Daryl Gurney (95.61)11–9 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (100.20) Ladbrokes
2019 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (97.92)11–9 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gerwyn Price (96.48)£500,000£50,000
2020 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (104.98)11–10 Flag of England.svg Mervyn King (99.78) Ricoh Arena, Coventry
2021 Flag of Scotland.svg Peter Wright (95.49)11–10 Flag of England.svg Ryan Searle (92.10) Butlins Resort, Minehead
2022 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (99.92)11–6 Flag of England.svg Rob Cross (100.33) Cazoo
2023 Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries (100.75)11–9 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen (103.19)£600,000£120,000£60,000
2024 Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries (103.69)11–7 Flag of England.svg Luke Littler (100.08) Ladbrokes

Records and statistics

As of 24 November 2024

Total finalist appearances

RankPlayerNationalityWonRunner-upFinalsAppearances
1 Michael van Gerwen Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 72916
2 Phil Taylor Flag of England.svg England 3149
3 Luke Humphries Flag of England.svg England 2026
4 Gary Anderson Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 11215
5 Daryl Gurney Ulster Banner.svg Northern Ireland 10110
Paul Nicholson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 1015
Kevin Painter Flag of England.svg England 1019
Peter Wright Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 10113
9 Mervyn King Flag of England.svg England 02216
Adrian Lewis Flag of England.svg England 02214
11 Dave Chisnall Flag of England.svg England 01114
Jonny Clayton Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales 0119
Rob Cross Flag of England.svg England 0118
Kim Huybrechts Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 01113
Luke Littler Flag of England.svg England 0111
Gerwyn Price Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales 01110
Ryan Searle Flag of England.svg England 0118
Robert Thornton Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 0119
Mark Webster Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales 0117

Champions by country

CountryPlayersTotalFirst titleLast title
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 1720132022
Flag of England.svg England 3620092024
Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 2220142021
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 1120102010
Ulster Banner.svg Northern Ireland 1120182018

Nine-dart finishes

Four nine-darters have been thrown at the Players Championship Finals. The first one was in 2016, which is the only one of the four that wasn't done on the Main Stage.

PlayerYear (+ Round)MethodOpponentResult
Flag of England.svg Alan Norris 2016, Last 64 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Flag of England.svg Michael Smith Won
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2019, Last 32 3 x T20; 2 x T20, T19; 2 x T20, D12 Flag of England.svg Adrian Lewis Won
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2022, Final 2 x T20, T19; 3 x T20; 2 x T20, D12 Flag of England.svg Rob Cross Won
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2023, Final 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries Lost

High averages

Players Championship Finals ten highest one-match averages
AveragePlayerYear (+ Round)OpponentResult
118.52 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2023, Last 32 Flag of England.svg Ross Smith 6–1
112.73 Flag of England.svg Luke Littler 2024, Last 64 Flag of England.svg Rob Cross 6–0
112.27 Ulster Banner.svg Josh Rock 2023, Last 32 Flag of Germany.svg Gabriel Clemens 3–6
112.05 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dirk van Duijvenbode 2022, Last 16 Flag of England.svg Ryan Searle 10–9
111.58 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 2013, Quarter-Final Flag of the Netherlands.svg Raymond van Barneveld 9–2
111.12 Flag of England.svg Ian White 2018, Last 64 Flag of England.svg Scott Taylor 6–2
110.62 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 2014, Last 32 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Christian Kist 6–5
110.02 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 2018, Quarter-Final Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonny Clayton 10–4
110.01 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2020, Quarter-Final Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dirk van Duijvenbode 10–5
109.88 Flag of England.svg Dave Chisnall 2023, Last 32 Flag of England.svg Chris Dobey 6–4
Five highest losing averages
AveragePlayerYear (+ Round)OpponentResult
112.27 Ulster Banner.svg Josh Rock 2023, Last 32 Flag of Germany.svg Gabriel Clemens 3–6
107.79 Flag of Croatia.svg Boris Krčmar 2020, Last 64 Flag of England.svg Michael Smith 5–6
107.12 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jermaine Wattimena 2020, Last 32 Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries 4–6
105.85 Ulster Banner.svg Daryl Gurney 2016, Last 32 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Huybrechts 1–6
105.79 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gerwyn Price 2018, Last 64 Flag of Poland.svg Krzysztof Ratajski 5–6
Different players with a 100+ match average – updated 24/11/24
PlayerTotalHighest Av.Year (+ Round)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 40118.52 2023, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 18111.58 2013, Quarter-Final
Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 16110.62 2014, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries 10107.60 2020, Last 32
Ulster Banner.svg Daryl Gurney 8108.81 2024, Last 64
Flag of Scotland.svg Peter Wright 8104.83 2020, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Stephen Bunting 7107.03 2019, Last 16
Flag of England.svg Luke Littler 6112.73 2024, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Ian White 6111.12 2018, Last 64
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gerwyn Price 6108.75 2019, Quarter-Final
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Raymond van Barneveld 6107.40 2016, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Mervyn King 6105.12 2020, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Adrian Lewis 6105.03 2014, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Rob Cross 6104.17 2022, Quarter-Final
Flag of England.svg James Wade 6102.95 2014, Last 32
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dirk van Duijvenbode 5112.05 2022, Last 16
Flag of England.svg Dave Chisnall 5109.88 2023, Last 32
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Huybrechts 5108.10 2016, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Ryan Searle 5106.62 2023, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Michael Smith 5103.04 2020, Last 32
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jermaine Wattimena 4107.12 2020, Last 32
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Danny Noppert 3106.59 2022, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Ross Smith 3105.26 2024, Quarter-Final
Flag of England.svg Colin Lloyd 3102.36 2010, Last 16
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Simon Whitlock 2109.54 2012, Last 16
Flag of England.svg Ryan Meikle 2108.76 2021, Last 64
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jelle Klaasen 2108.74 2014, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Alan Norris 2106.24 2016, Last 64
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Vincent van der Voort 2104.86 2014, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Chris Dobey 2103.50 2021, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Wes Newton 2103.14 2011(Feb), Last 32
Flag of Portugal (official).svg José de Sousa 2102.96 2020, Last 16
Flag of Germany.svg Gabriel Clemens 2102.20 2019, Last 16
Flag of England.svg Nathan Aspinall 2101.66 2020, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Andrew Gilding 2100.91 2022, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Terry Jenkins 2100.89 2014, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Andy Smith 2100.36 2011(Feb), Quarter-Final
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jeffrey de Zwaan 2100.32 2020, Last 64
Ulster Banner.svg Josh Rock 1112.27 2023, Last 32
Flag of Croatia.svg Boris Krčmar 1107.79 2020, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Robbie Green 1105.79 2016, Last 32
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Benito van de Pas 1105.39 2015, Last 16
Flag of Poland.svg Krzysztof Ratajski 1105.38 2018, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Ritchie Edhouse 1105.35 2024, Last 32
Flag of Scotland.svg Robert Thornton 1104.21 2013, Last 32
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Gian van Veen 1104.21 2024, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Dean Winstanley 1103.94 2014, Last 32
Flag of Germany.svg Ricardo Pietreczko 1103.36 2023, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Darren Webster 1103.32 2017, Last 32
Flag of Ireland.svg William O'Connor 1102.85 2020, Last 64
Flag of Austria.svg Mensur Suljović 1102.79 2016, Last 64
Flag of Germany.svg Martin Schindler 1102.17 2022, Last 64
Flag of Ireland.svg Steve Lennon 1102.16 2020, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Andy Hamilton 1102.16 2012, Quarter-Final
Flag of South Africa.svg Devon Petersen 1101.46 2020, Last 64
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Mike De Decker 1101.33 2024, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Joe Cullen 1101.33 2016, Last 32
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonny Clayton 1101.28 2020, Last 64
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jeffrey de Graaf 1101.22 2016, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Scott Williams 1101.08 2024, Last 16
Flag of Scotland.svg Andy Boulton 1100.86 2021, Last 64
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Niels Zonneveld 1100.85 2023, Last 64
Flag of Ireland.svg Keane Barry 1100.70 2022, Last 32
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Christian Kist 1100.40 2014, Last 32
Flag of England.svg Wayne Jones 1100.13 2020, Last 64
Flag of England.svg Callan Rydz 1100.10 2021, Last 32
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Webster 1100.02 2011(Feb), Last 32
Five highest tournament averages (min 3 matches)
AveragePlayerYearRound (+result
105.42 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 2018 Semi-Final
105.20 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 2014 Quarter-Final
105.16 Flag of England.svg Luke Littler 2024 Final (Lost)
104.72 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 2014 Final (Won)
104.37 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 2013 Final (Lost)

Television coverage

In the UK and Ireland, the first two tournaments were broadcast on ITV4 with the third edition being screened by PDC TV. The fourth edition returned to ITV4 where it has stayed ever since and ITV4 signed a long-term deal to cover the European Championships, Players Championships, UK Open and new tournament the Masters from 2014 to 2016. [7]

TV broadcasters

References

  1. 2008 Order of Merit explanation Archived 2008-12-19 at the Wayback Machine from the Professional Darts Corporation, retrieved 19-11-2008
  2. PDC website report – PDC To Introduce New Events from the Professional Darts Corporation, retrieved 19-11-2008
  3. PDC website report – 2009 PDC Calendar from the Professional Darts Corporation, retrieved 19-11-2008
  4. PDC website report – PDC Return To Circus Tavern Archived 2008-11-04 at the Wayback Machine from the Professional Darts Corporation, retrieved 19-11-2008
  5. "2011 Players Championship Finals Tickets". Professional Darts Corporation . PDC & Perform Ltd. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  6. "Butlins Minehead To Host Cash Converters Players Championship". Planet Darts. 30 March 2012.
  7. pdc.tv Archived September 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine