From rising talent to title favourite: Wessel Nijman’s impressive rise at the Players Championship in numbers

The rise of Wessel Nijman on the PDC Pro Tour is becoming increasingly impressive. The young Dutchman has won no fewer than three of the last seven Players Championship events, underlining that he currently ranks among the absolute elite on the floor circuit.

His most recent success came at Players Championship 2 of the 2026 season, where he edged Gerwyn Price 8-7 in the final. Nijman immediately showed he had carried his peak form from 2025 into the new season. Because even at the end of last year he was already unstoppable.

In 2025, Nijman claimed both Players Championship 30 and Players Championship 34. That put him in the middle of a stretch in which several big names also lifted titles. Jermaine Wattimena took PC31, teenage sensation Luke Littler triumphed at PC32, and PC33 went to Chris Dobey. The fact that Nijman managed to put himself on that winners’ list multiple times says a lot about his current level.

What makes this achievement even more impressive is the format of the Players Championship events. They are intense one-day tournaments without a crowd, where players must get through multiple matches in a single day.

There is little room for a dip: one poor display means instant elimination. Consistency, scoring power, and mental resilience are therefore crucial. Precisely in those areas, Nijman seems to have made huge strides in recent months.

With three titles in seven events, the Dutchman shows he is no longer just a prospect, but a serious contender on the Pro Tour. Moreover, this run earns him not only prize money, but also key ranking points for the Pro Tour Order of Merit and qualification for the major televised tournaments.

The question that can now cautiously be asked: is 2026 the definitive breakthrough year for Wessel Nijman? If he can maintain this form, making a real impact at the big majors seems only a matter of time. One thing is clear: the competition has been warned.