Price Powers to Fourth Players Championship Crown of 2025

Gerwyn Price showed trademark grit and quality on Tuesday as he lifted his fourth Players Championship title of the season, overcoming a series of setbacks to defeat Gian van Veen in a pulsating final at Event 26 in Halle, Germany.

The former World Champion averaged 109.28 and struck 13 maximums in the decider, sealing an 8-5 triumph over the in-form Dutchman. It was a sweet turnaround for Price, who had suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to the same opponent just two days earlier in the quarter-finals of the Czech Darts Open.

This time, the Welshman made no mistake. He roared into a 6-0 lead in the final, producing a blistering opening that included ton-plus checkouts of 122 and 129. His relentless scoring left Van Veen on the ropes, but the 22-year-old responded superbly with a five-leg burst that briefly threatened to turn the match on its head.

The young Dutchman showed his class with finishes of 63 and 98, before nailing a sensational 164 checkout on the bull. Two more legs followed in 15 darts apiece as Price began to falter on doubles, giving Van Veen a lifeline.

However, the three-time Grand Slam champion steadied himself at the perfect moment, producing an 11-darter in the 12th leg before sealing victory with double five after another flurry of 180s.

“I had to battle there,” Price admitted afterwards. “Towards the end, Gian took out that 164 and I thought: ‘Here we go again.’ I felt like I was outscoring him for most of the game but wasn’t putting him away, and he kept finding those big finishes. In the end, I dug in and got the job done.”

The win moves Price above Van Veen at the top of the Players Championship rankings, further cementing his status as one of the most consistent performers on the ProTour this season.

Gritty Path to the Final

Price’s campaign in Halle was far from straightforward. He opened with a blistering 108 average in a 6-2 win over Dom Taylor, but his second-round clash nearly ended his run before it had even started. Facing James Hurrell, Price trailed 5-1 and survived five match darts before pulling off a remarkable comeback to win 6-5.

“That game against James Hurrell definitely won me the tournament,” Price reflected. “I should have been out, but once I survived, I felt like it was my day.”

From there, the Welshman rediscovered his rhythm. He brushed aside Brendan Dolan 6-2, then showed more resilience by recovering from 4-1 and 4-2 down to defeat Andy Baetens and Wessel Nijman. In the semi-finals, Price was forced to show his battling qualities again, rallying from 5-2 and 6-4 down against William O’Connor to clinch victory in a last-leg thriller – once again surviving a match dart along the way.

“It’s been frustrating the past few weeks with the hand infection I’ve been carrying, so to come here, fight through tough matches, and win again feels fantastic,” Price added.

Van Veen Shines Despite Defeat

Despite falling short in the final, Van Veen continued to underline his reputation as one of darts’ most exciting emerging talents. The reigning World Youth Champion produced three ton-plus averages on the way to his third Players Championship final of 2025, including victories over Ross Smith and Gary Anderson.

Anderson, a two-time World Champion, had reached the last four after a dramatic comeback win against Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals, recovering from 5-2 down to edge his fellow Dutchman’s World Cup partner.

O’Connor also impressed with a semi-final run that boosted his World Grand Prix qualification hopes. The Irishman defeated Damon Heta and Bradley Brooks en route, before narrowly losing out to Price in their gripping last-four encounter.

Other Standout Performances

There were plenty of highlights across the board in Halle. Bradley Brooks delivered the performance of the day in round two, averaging 111.96 to knock out world number one Luke Humphries in a 6-2 upset. Humphries, the reigning World Champion, had been expected to challenge deep into the event, but Brooks’ brilliance ended his campaign early.

Dirk van Duijvenbode also produced a big performance in round one, posting a 108 average to edge out ProTour debutant Charlie Manby. The young Englishman, a standout on the Development Tour this year, acquitted himself well despite defeat.

With Price lifting the title, the ProTour double-header in Halle continues on Wednesday with Players Championship 27. Fans can follow live coverage from four streaming boards throughout the day on PDCTV, with another packed field set to battle it out for ranking points and £100,000 in prize money.

Price Powers to Fourth Players Championship Crown of 2025 

2025 Players Championship 26

Tuesday September 9

Halle 39, Hildesheim

Last 16

Danny Noppert 6-5 Martin Schindler

Gary Anderson 6-4 Callan Rydz

Gian van Veen 6-1 Mickey Mansell

Ross Smith 6-3 Nathan Aspinall

Gerwyn Price 6-4 Andy Baetens

Wessel Nijman 6-3 Keane Barry

Bradley Brooks 6-4 Dave Chisnall

William O’Connor 6-5 Damon Heta

Quarter-Finals

Gary Anderson 6-5 Danny Noppert

Gian van Veen 6-3 Ross Smith

Gerwyn Price 6-5 Wessel Nijman

William O’Connor 6-3 Bradley Brooks

Semi-Finals

Gian van Veen 7-4 Gary Anderson

Gerwyn Price 7-6 William O’Connor

Final

Gerwyn Price 8-5 Gian van Veen