Entries for Players Championship 1 and 2: Five Premier League Darts players - including Luke Littler and Luke Humphries - skip Pro Tour opener

The fields for the first two Players Championship tournaments of the new season have been officially confirmed. That means the PDC ProTour 2026 kicks off next week with a double header in Germany. On Sunday, February 9 and Monday, February 10, Players Championship 1 and 2 will be staged at Halle 39 in Hildesheim, where the international darts elite will battle for the first ranking prizes of the year.

As is customary at Players Championship tournaments, the field consists of 128 players. These are made up of all PDC Tour Card holders, supplemented by PDPA Associate Members.

That traditionally produces a mix of absolute world stars, seasoned ProTour specialists, and ambitious talents eager to test themselves against the established order.

For both tournaments, a top prize of £15,000 awaits the winner, while valuable ranking points are also on offer for the Players Championship Order of Merit. This ranking plays a major role in qualification for majors later in the season, such as the Players Championship Finals and the European Tour events.

Among the confirmed names are several major stars. Michael van Gerwen, a three-time world champion and always a dangerous force on the floor, will be in action. The Dutchman begins his hunt for new titles in Hildesheim after a winter spent preparing once again for a long and intense ProTour season. Gian van Veen, runner-up at the most recent World Darts Championship, also lines up. For Van Veen, it will be intriguing to see how he translates his strong big-stage form to the floor events.

There is also plenty of focus on Gerwyn Price. The Welshman ended last season as number one on the Players Championship Order of Merit and will be determined to carry that dominance into 2026. The ProTour traditionally suits Price, and he again ranks among the leading favourites for the title this week.

The schedule for both days is identical. Matches start at 1:00 PM local time, with simultaneous action across multiple boards. In total, four boards per tournament will be broadcast live via PDCTV and through various bookmakers’ platforms worldwide.

Players Championship events are known for their unpredictability. Without a stage, walk-ons, and the pressure of a big crowd, outsiders regularly get the chance to go deep into the tournament. That makes the two events in Hildesheim compelling not only for the headline acts, but also for fans eager to see which players catch the eye early in the season.

Absent PDC Tour Card holders: Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Josh Rock

Called-up non-Tour Card holders: Joe Hunt, Martijn Dragt, Jack Tweddell, Steve Lennon, Tommy Morris