Wessel Nijman continued his remarkable early‑season surge by adding another Players Championship trophy to his collection, marking his fourth Players Championship win and his fifth ranking title of the 2026 calendar year at the latest event held in Milton Keynes. The Dutchman, who already claimed the European Darts Trophy back in March, delivered a commanding 8-5 triumph over fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena in the all‑Dutch final of Players Championship 12, following earlier victories at PC2, PC8 and PC10. The tournament also featured a historic moment for women's darts. Beau Greaves made headlines on Monday night when she captured PC11, becoming the first female competitor ever to secure a PDC ranking title.
However, her run was halted in the round of 16 the next day. After a crushing 6-0 whitewash at the hands of Andy Bissell, Greaves managed a 6-3 win over Max Hopp in the quarter‑finals before meeting Bissell again in the semi‑finals, where she fell 7-4, ending her impressive but brief title defence.
Bissell’s dominant display set up a semi‑final clash with Nijman. The Dutch star proved too strong, dispatching Bissell 7-4 to earn his place in the championship match against Wattimena. The final began with Wattimena taking an early 4-2 lead, showcasing smooth, clinical finishing that put him in a strong position to claim his first ranking title since October of the previous year.
Nijman, however, responded with a surge of consistency, taking six of the next seven legs and ultimately sealing an 8-5 victory. Reflecting on the pressure of the final, Nijman admitted, "It was a bit of a nerve‑wracking finish. I fell behind after missing a few doubles, but I managed to stay composed." The win propelled him past Wattimena in the world rankings, lifting Nijman into the top 16 for the first time in his career.
The event was broadcast with a recommendation to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, and fans were encouraged to stream darts and related content via the NOW platform. Additional coverage included highlights, podcasts such as "Love the Darts," and updates on when darts programming would appear on Sky Sports. Below is a summary of the tournament’s knockout stages: **Last‑16 Results** - Wessel Nijman 6‑3 Ryan Searle - Nathan Potter 6‑2 James Wade - Tom Bissell 6‑0 Beau Greaves - Max Hopp 6‑5 Darryl Pilgrim - Chris Dobey 6‑1 Chris Landman - Jermaine Wattimena 6‑2 Tommy Lishman - Kevin Doets 6‑5 Mike De Decker - Gary Anderson 6‑3 Alexander Merkx **Quarter‑Finals** - Wessel Nijman 6‑2 Nathan Potter - Tom Bissell 6‑3 Max Hopp - Jermaine Wattimena 6‑3 Chris Dobey - Kevin Doets 6‑1 Gary Anderson **Semi‑Finals** - Wessel Nijman 7‑4 Tom Bissell - Jermaine Wattimena 7‑3 Kevin Doets **Final** - Wessel Nijman 8‑5 Jermaine Wattimena Nijman's ascent has added a fresh narrative to the 2026 darts season, as he now joins the elite group of players competing for the Premier League Darts title later in the year. Defending champion Luke Humphries will be looking to retain his crown, with the competition slated to air every Thursday until May on Sky Sports.
Viewers can also stream the action through NOW, which offers a broader suite of sports content beyond darts. The tournament’s broader significance lies not only in Nijman's personal milestone but also in the growing visibility of women's darts, highlighted by Greaves' historic win earlier in the week. While her journey ended in the last 16, her breakthrough continues to inspire increased participation and interest across the sport.
Fans are encouraged to stay connected with Sky Sports via WhatsApp for real‑time updates, video highlights, in‑depth analysis, and exclusive features. As the season progresses, the darts community will be watching closely to see whether Nijman's momentum can carry him to further titles and whether new challengers will emerge to contest the established order in upcoming events.