Wessel Nijman continued his remarkable early‑season form by adding yet another title to his 2026 résumé, capturing his fourth Players Championship victory and his fifth ranking triumph of the year at the latest event held in Milton Keynes. The Dutchman, who had already lifted the European Darts Trophy back in March, delivered a confident 8‑5 win over fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena in the all‑Dutch final of Players Championship 12, following earlier successes at PC2, PC8 and PC10.
The tournament also featured a historic moment for women's darts. Beau Greaves, who made headlines on Monday night by winning PC11 and becoming the first woman ever to claim a PDC ranking title, saw her campaign come to an abrupt end in the last‑16 stage on Tuesday. Greaves was overwhelmed by Andy Bissell, who dispatched her with a flawless 6‑0 whitewash.
Bissell then proceeded to beat Max Hopp 6‑3 in the quarter‑finals before his own run was halted by Nijman, who edged him out 7‑4 in the semi‑final. Nijman's path to the championship was marked by a series of steady performances. In the early rounds he dispatched Ryan Searle 6‑3 and then overcame Nathan Potter 6‑2, showing a blend of heavy scoring and clinical finishing. He also recorded a 6‑0 shutout against Tom Bissell and a 6‑5 nail‑biting win over Max Hopp, before cruising past Darryl Pilgrim 6‑1 and Chris Landman 6‑2.
In the quarter‑finals he faced Nathan Potter again, this time winning 6‑2, and then beat Tom Bissell 6‑3 to set up a semi‑final clash with Kevin Doets, which he won 7‑4. The final against Jermaine Wattimena proved to be a tightly contested affair. Wattimena started strongly, establishing a 4‑2 lead with a series of precise, high‑checkout combinations that suggested he might finally capture his first ranking title since October of the previous year.
However, Nijman soon found his rhythm, stringing together six of the next seven legs to swing the momentum in his favour. His relentless scoring and timely doubles allowed him to pull ahead and eventually seal an 8‑5 victory.
Reflecting on the match, Nijman admitted that the final had a nervous edge to it. "I fell behind after missing a few doubles," he said, acknowledging the pressure of the occasion.
"But I managed to stay composed and hit some crucial finishes – the 57 to go 6‑5 up was a turning point for me. When everything clicks and you’ve been playing these high‑stakes games all day, you carry that confidence into the next round." The win also propelled Nijman up the world rankings, catapulting him into the top‑16 for the first time in his career, overtaking Wattimena in the process.
This breakthrough places him among the sport’s elite and sets the stage for a potentially dominant second half of the season. Beyond the headline results, the tournament showcased a broad field of talent. Notable performances included Gary Anderson’s 6‑3 victory over Mike De Decker, Alexander Merkx’s 6‑3 win against Gary Anderson in the earlier stages, and Kevin Doets’ impressive run to the semi‑finals where he fell to Wattimena 7‑3.
The event also highlighted the growing depth of the PDC circuit, with emerging players like Tom Bissell and Max Hopp delivering strong showings against seasoned veterans. Fans looking to relive the action can stream the matches via the NOW platform, which offers a more accessible video player for Chrome users.
Sky Sports continues to provide live coverage of darts, with regular highlights and analysis available online. For those interested in broader darts coverage, the "Love the Darts" podcast offers in‑depth discussions, while Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel delivers up‑to‑date news, video clips, and expert commentary.
Looking ahead, the darts calendar remains packed with excitement. The Premier League Darts will see Luke Humphries defending his title, with matches scheduled every Thursday until May on Sky Sports.
As the season unfolds, fans will be eager to see whether Nijman can maintain his winning momentum and how other rising stars, including Greaves, will build on their recent breakthroughs. The sport’s growing popularity, bolstered by streaming options and engaging podcasts, ensures that the drama and skill of professional darts will continue to captivate audiences worldwide.