Players Championship 2 Round-up | Wessel Nijman wins fourth PDC title as he defeats an outstanding Gerwyn Price in majestic final showdown

Gerwyn Price produced one of the best Players Championship performances in the second day of action in the 2026 season, consistently averaging way over a ton. However, even this was not enough to stop Wessel Nijman take glory in Hildesheim in a thrilling 8-7 victory in a world class final.

Out of the last eight Players Championship semi-finals, Nijman has featured in five of them in an outstanding spurt of form. This goes from the final six events of last year, where he took home two titles, and today with another mesmerising day of darts from the 25-year-old.

He improved throughout the day as he took down Viktor Tingstrom (6-2), Samuel Price (6-1) before defeating Cor Dekker (6-2) while averaging 104. Wins over Tommy Morris (6-4) and Carl Sneyd (6-2) followed with a 106.03 average in that quarter-final. His third ton+ average of the day came in the semi-final triumph against Ryan Searle, where from 2-0 down Nijman ticked off seven consecutive legs to place himself in the final.

Price came into today as the number one seed, having been utterly dominant on the floor last year. Four titles from six finals were a great return, and he was looking to already get another one on the board.

He was quick off the mark in taking out Kim Huybrechts 6-0 with a 102.48 average as he followed that with wins over Stephen Burton (6-2) and Cristo Reyes (6-2). From this point on, it gets a bit ridiculous.

‘The Iceman’ averaged 111.14 to win over a defiant Luke Woodhouse before the performance of the day came with a 117.12 average in a 6-0 whitewash of none other than Michael van Gerwen, who had also been looking impressive up to this point. Krzysztof Ratajski put up a good fight but a 7-4 triumph for Price with his average still firmly above 104 was enough to edge him in the final.

Price won PC2 last year against Chris Dobey and was looking to defend that title. Up until the final he had an average to 105.21. He almost had the chance to continue this rich vein of form with a 126 checkout but missed the bull. Nijman cleaned up on double 16 to hold.

The 2021 world champion set himself up on the bull for a huge 170 outshot but opted to plant a dart in single 10. He came back to nail his favourite tops before Nijman streaked ahead and took the lead once more.

He extended this a leg later. On 112, Price tried to force a dart through to treble 18 to leave tops but a bounce out allowed Nijman the chance to break. He took out 42 on double 18 to sneak further ahead with a critical break. He could have streaked out to a 4-1 lead, but it was his turn to miss the bull for a 126 checkout. Price took out 60 in two to break straight back.

The first ton+ checkout of the match went for Price who did it in some style, taking out 144 to level up the match again. Doubling was off the charts, and now the scoring was moving up the levels as Price and Nijman started to batter the treble 20. Nijman missed double four on the outside and a maximum from Price put the pressure on. It looked like he was going to have a go at double 14 after Nijman squandered another two darts on double four, but the green bit was eventually found to take a 4-3 lead.

Price replied with a 95 checkout on tops with the Dutchman lurking closely behind. He had a chance to take the lead for the first time in the match with a show stopping 134 outshot with two tops. Nijman kept his cool and pinned the double 16 segment and took the lead again. A solid response from Price took the score to 5-5, with a need for a break becoming more and more urgent with the conclusion rapidly approaching.

He would do this a leg later, and in some fashion. A 121 checkout on the bull saw him take the lead for the first time in the match. He was averaging around 109 at this point but would find himself still not out of sight from his opponent as Nijman utilised the bull to set up double 16. He pinned the segment the second time of asking and put the final back on throw.

Price is able to force a last leg decider on double 12, with the tension in the air. The Welshman most certainly felt this as he left 342. Nijman found a 171 to leave 94 which he took out in three before letting out a huge roar and hitting the board in passion to win an absolute thriller.

Price could not have done much more. He averaged 107,41 and pinned 78% of his doubles. In the end, it was not enough as Nijman stood firm on his throw, limiting Price’s chances as he leaves Hildesheim number one in the Players Championship Order of Merit.

There were two nine darters throughout the day, backing up Mickey Mansell’s moment of brilliance in the first event. First was James Hurrell in a first round win over Maik Kuivenhoven before Gabriel Clemens also struck perfection while averaging over 108 in a tremendous display against Madars Razma.

It was a disappointing day for the two Players Championship 1 finalists, with Nathan Aspinall losing in his first round match 6-4 against Niall Culleton while the champion James Wade was one of three big players to lose a last-leg decider in the last-16, with Rob Cross and Gary Anderson also falling at this stage by the same result.

Gian van Veen was one of three Premier League players to feature, with a 6-2 loss to Razma in the opening round ending his days work. Premier League talents such as Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting have not made the trip over to Hildesheim with the rest of the field capitalising. A good shift from Danny Noppert and Dave Chisnall who made it to the quarter-final stage, while concerns continue to loom over Peter Wright who makes it back-to-back first round exits.