Interview – Niko Springer: “My best darts are still to come” – his vision and mission for the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship

Less than twelve months after his World Darts Championship debut in the legendary Ally Pally, Niko Springer will travel to London in December as one of Germany's greatest hopes.

In a press round organized by the PDC Europe today, "Meenzer Bub" answered questions from DartsNews and other media representatives. Springer looked back on his debut season as a PDC pro, talked about his World Championship goals and formulated an exciting challenge.

"In general, I'm going into my second World Championship with a positive feeling," says the 25-year-old looking ahead. "Last year's performance was unbelievably great, the atmosphere was breathtaking. This time I already know the procedures a bit and can adjust to them. Everything was completely new the first time."

New is a good keyword when you look back on Springer's season. After the 2025 World Darts Championship, the Mainz-born player started his debut season as a Tour Card holder. In his first professional season, Springer played his way into the top 64 of the Players Championship Order of Merit, qualified for major tournaments such as the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts and won his first European Tour title on a major PDC stage in Budapest at the end of September. "If someone had told me before the season that I would virtually be in the top 50 after the World Championship, I would have signed that straight away," says Springer, looking back on his debut season.

Springer was a regular on the European Tour in particular in the 2025 season - as a Tour Card rookie. No other player on the PDC Pro Tour qualified more often for European Tour tournaments via the Tour Card Holder Qualifier. "I didn't expect to not only reach the final once, but also to win a European Tour title. This has opened many doors for me for Majors like the Grand Prix or Grand Slam. To have achieved all this in my first year and to have secured my participation in the World Championships so early was of course really good. But anyone who knows me knows that I'm self-critical and try to work on my weaknesses," says Springer honestly.

Among other things, the German wants to work on his scoring: "In the first half of the year, I had this power scoring, which then just got lost. On the other hand, my timing and my doubles got better and better, which were more of a problem at the beginning. I can't really explain exactly how that happened. But I'm relatively relaxed and I'm sure it will all come back. And if both things work together, then people will see me playing like I've never played before."

"I always think from game to game, so just play well and ideally win this time," Springer replies when asked about his goal for the World Championships. "If you look at the Majors, I've actually always sold myself well, but apart from the Grand Slam, I've always been knocked out in the first round. So now it's time to get past the opening hurdle," continued the "Meenzer Bub".

Springer is building on the experience of his World Championship debut last year to celebrate his first victory at the Ally Pally. The 25-year-old explains that he does not want to repeat last year's "bumpy" journey due to the London traffic in order to free up more time backstage for match preparation and media work. The special Ally Pally atmosphere will also no longer surprise him this year: "It was incredibly loud. You always hear it, but it's only when you stand on that stage that you really realize it. I definitely know what I'm in for and I'm really looking forward to it."

Despite the anticipation, Springer is taking things one step at a time. Next weekend, the German will first make his debut at the Players Championship Finals. After that, everything at Springer's home will revolve around optimal World Championship preparation. "This year, I've resolved to make the cut a little earlier and concentrate on the essentials - but also to switch off a little at the same time. That's why I'll be away with my favorite club (Mainz 05 in the Conference League in Romania, for example, or going to a concert with my girlfriend, so I'll be completely away from darts. After that, the focus will really only be on the World Championship and training, which will take place here in my training room."

In addition to classic training on the practice board, Springer has an eye for analytical things: "During training, I like to leave the camera running for two or three hours to film my throwing behavior and then analyze it." The mental aspect of the sport is not neglected in Springer's game either. The "Meenzer Bub" explains that he relies on a certain breathing technique during the game. "I used to work with a mental coach and worked out a few mental tricks. If you look at my three darts, you'll notice a difference in one of them."

In contrast to previous years, this time Springer can concentrate fully on the action on the oche during the hot phase of the season. Since August, the justice administration employee has put his job on hold and is focusing entirely on darts. But how does Springer deal with the additional pressure of having to earn his living at the dartboard? "I'm actually trying to block it out relatively well. I'm glad that I have perfect management behind me, who have brought in sponsors who give me security when things aren't going well," explains Springer. His approach on the oche has also changed as a full professional: "I do a lot more because it's my job. And that's also how I approach the tournaments. I try to work well. If I do that, then the rest comes naturally."

Springer also wants to "work well" at the upcoming World Darts Championship. Who he will face at the oche there will be decided on November 24, when the draw for the World Championship takes place. "I'm already watching the draw because I'm simply interested, but I'm still thinking from match to match. It will also be the first time for me to be seeded at the World Cup and I'm just excited to see how it will look in the tournament tree," says Springer.

Due to the expansion of the World Championship field to 128 players, the first two rounds will take place over four additional days. If he wins his opening match, Springer will not spend the entire tournament in London: "I'll probably fly home again, recharge my batteries a bit and do something with friends and family. Then I'll return to England fresh and invigorated." The 25-year-old has also already made a plan for the people accompanying him: "It will be a little different this year. My parents and my brother won't be coming to Ally Pally. We're going to organize a big public viewing here in my town and they'll watch the whole thing there."

The Grand Slam of Darts was the first time Springer had traveled alone to a major PDC event. On site, he shared accommodation with tour colleague Lukas Wenig. "I was glad that I was able to spend a few nice hours with Luu and Saskia. We paid a lot of attention to healthy eating and cooked a lot together," says Springer, a passionate amateur chef who raves about recipes with pumpkin, chicken, and tuna.

However, Niko Springer and Lukas Wenig were not only on top form at the stove in Wolverhampton, but also at the oche. At the Grand Slam, the two compatriots faced each other in the round of 16 and thus ensured the second German quarter-finalist in the tournament's history. Can German fans look forward to similar positive headlines at the World Championship? "The trend is definitely pointing upwards, we've never had so many players on the tour. That's why I would say that the Germans can expect a lot. The World Championship is the biggest tournament, everyone will prepare well and naturally wants to go far," says Springer optimistically.

Springer himself, who is now regarded as one of the most promising talents in the sport, will also have to shoulder the enormous expectations of the German fans at the Ally Pally: "I'm actually trying to completely ignore it. First and foremost, of course, it's nice to hear something like that. But I know exactly how the whole thing works. If things aren't going so well in terms of play, then it can quickly go in the other direction. That's why I try not to think much about it, but to concentrate on the essentials and perform on the board."

However, the expectation and increased awareness among fans also brings nice moments: "In my private life, for example, I'm approached much more often when I'm shopping, which still feels a bit strange, but of course also nice," says Springer and shares a funny anecdote: "After the Grand Slam, I was approached in the supermarket: 'You could be the brother of that darts player'. Then I said that I was the dart player and talked to the older man for half an hour. It was a funny situation, but I still have to get used to it a bit," smiled Springer.