Martin Schindler reveals decisive mistake before the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship: “It didn’t do my game any good at all”

The first Players Championship title of his career, another triumph on the European Tour, and his debut inside the world’s top 16 — Martin Schindler enjoyed a milestone-packed 2025. Now “The Wall” wants to crown that exceptional season at the upcoming 2026 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Speaking at a PDC Europe press conference, the 29-year-old fielded questions from Dartsnews.de and other media. Schindler reflected on his performances over the past year, reacted to his World Championship draw, and opened up about a crucial mistake he made in preparing for last year’s tournament.

“I’m very satisfied with the whole of 2025,” Schindler began. The German said he wanted to back up his strong 2024 season — and he certainly managed it. In March, he celebrated his first ever floor title at Players Championship 8, and only weeks later he lifted his third European Tour trophy, winning the Austrian Darts Open and raising it into the Graz night sky.

“After the European Championship, the Grand Slam and the Players Championship Finals, I’m also satisfied with my major results overall. I still have a lot to learn here, but I look back on a very positive year.”

At the Grand Slam of Darts he gained new experience, spending six consecutive days in England for a major event. “That just doesn’t happen regularly,” he explained. “You have to get used to it. You have to learn how to deal with it and keep your performance level up.”

He added that your approach can shift over the course of a longer event: “Please don’t take this the wrong way: it’s not much, but sometimes a slight feeling of comfort creeps in — for example when you get through the group stage at the Grand Slam or make the last 16 at the Players Championship Finals. Of course I wanted to go further, but the feeling you have when you’re starting a tournament is different to when it’s already been running for a few days. And that’s something I have to learn to handle.”

“Learning” is the key word for the 29-year-old. Looking back at last year’s World Championship preparation, Schindler can pinpoint one decisive mistake — and it’s one he’s determined not to repeat: “This year I’ve promised myself to stay in the here and now, in the moment,” he said.

“Last year — because the season was going so well — I looked too far ahead and started thinking about what might happen afterwards. That didn’t do my game any good at all and caused me to lose myself a little,” he admitted.

Mistakes, though, are there to be learned from. When Schindler steps on stage for the final match of the evening session on 17 December, kicking off his 2026 World Championship campaign, he wants to be sharp and fully present. He’ll be facing England’s Stephen Burton, who secured one of the final places via the Tour Card Holder Qualifier. “Stephen is a player who’s been around for many years and knows the tour. He’s not to be underestimated — it’ll be a tricky first task.”

All the more reason to have full backing from the family members travelling with him to London. “If the Worlds go well, we’ll stay in England the whole time and won’t fly back,” he said.

Schindler also commented on the new format and schedule, where all 128 players enter in round one: “In terms of prize money and the rankings it’s a disadvantage compared to previous years,” he laughed, before adding: “But I like that everyone starts at the same time. It means the cards are shuffled evenly.”

To give himself the best chance at Ally Pally, Schindler is already deep into his World Championship prep. “I’ve been focusing a lot on checkout training so far. I’m trying to build the momentum you need to close out sets,” he said, adding that he’ll work on a combination of finishing and scoring over the next few days. His preferred double for the World Championship is also set: “I’ve settled on double 20 over the past few months and I think I’ll stick with it.”

Compared to last year, when he overloaded himself with dart, mental and fitness training before the Worlds, the focus this time is clearly on the practice board. “I’ll be honest: I simply don’t have the time for the rest right now.”

He also makes sure to practise under the most realistic stage conditions possible. At the Grand Slam, he had already mentioned that the board lighting on Sky Sports’ major stages is noticeably darker than on the European Tour. He has prepared accordingly: “I’ve turned off the light ring on my board because it lights the dartboard almost perfectly. I’ve actually switched to an LED lamp and a softbox to simulate roughly the lighting conditions you get on the Sky stage.”

Meticulous preparation, a new mindset and the dream of achieving something big at Ally Pally — Martin Schindler is ready for the 2026 World Darts Championship. His excitement ahead of that first appearance on 17 December is already clear.

Only one question remains: what will his walk-on song be? “If I had to rate ‘Without Me’ by Eminem, I’d give it seven out of ten. There’s still room for improvement, and I’ve got a bit of a feeling it’s not quite my song,” Schindler said. A last-minute change before the Worlds? “I’ll be honest: I haven’t decided yet,” “The Wall” concluded.