Ross Smith Powers to Players Championships 5 Title “It’s the best I’ve felt this year, so I’m really happy with the win”
Ross Smith Powers to Players Championships 5 Title “It’s the best I’ve felt this year, so I’m really happy with the win”
Ross Smith powered his way to a commanding victory over Chris Dobey to secure the Players Championship Five title in Leicester, capturing his eighth PDC ranking crown in emphatic fashion.
The final at the Mattioli Arena proved to be a one-sided affair, with Smith delivering a high-quality performance to seal an 8-2 triumph. Averaging an impressive 104.24 and striking five 180s, the former European Champion collected the £15,000 winner’s cheque and underlined his status as one of the most consistent operators on the ProTour circuit.
Across the day, Smith was a model of reliability. He posted a tournament average of 99.25, a statistic that highlights the sustained standard he maintained throughout the event. In doing so, he opened his account for the 2026 season and continued a remarkable run that has now seen him claim at least one Players Championship title in each of the last four years.
“I’ve just played consistently well today,” reflected Smith afterwards.
“I rode my luck a little bit today, but to win a title like this, you need a bit of luck along the way.
“We all know how good Chris is. He’s one of the best players in the world, so I’m just grateful to beat him.
“I felt really relaxed today. It’s the best I’ve felt this year, so I’m really happy with the win.
“I’m confident in my game. I know that anyone who plays me is going to have to play really well to beat me, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Smith’s path to the title was built on authority from the outset. He opened with back-to-back 6-3 victories against Justin Hood and Cor Dekker, averaging 103 in his win over the Norwegian number one. That momentum continued as he produced arguably his standout display of the afternoon against Michael Smith, firing in a 106.38 average to dismantle the 2022/23 World Champion 6-1.
Further convincing successes followed against Niko Springer and Dave Chisnall, before he halted the impressive run of Czech number one Karel Sedlacek in the semi-finals to book his place in the decider.
The final began at a blistering pace. Smith stormed out of the blocks, reeling off the first five legs without reply. Legs of 11 and 12 darts were complemented by a stunning 147 checkout, leaving Dobey chasing shadows early on. Although Dobey managed to claim two successive legs to spark faint hopes of a comeback, Smith swiftly extinguished any threat. A pair of 14-dart legs and a clinical 106 finish in another three-leg burst wrapped up the contest in decisive fashion.
The triumph lifts Smith to fourth place on the Players Championship Order of Merit, while Dobey’s run to the final sees him climb into second spot, overtaking James Wade in the standings.
Dobey, who lifted the Players Championship Three title last week, produced several eye-catching moments en route to Tuesday’s final — including his first nine-darter of the year. After dispatching Cristo Reyes 6-2 in his opener, the Bedlington ace achieved perfection in the opening leg of his 6-3 victory over Ricky Evans.
His progress was far from straightforward thereafter. Dobey edged out Dutch pair Kevin Doets and Danny Noppert in dramatic deciding-leg encounters, surviving a remarkable 108.77 average from Doets in a gripping battle. He then delivered a dominant 6-0 whitewash against Christian Kist in the quarter-finals before overcoming Joe Cullen 7-4 in a competitive semi-final.
Cullen’s journey to the last four featured three consecutive last-leg victories. He fought back from 5-3 down to defeat Gabriel Clemens, while also averaging 101 in narrow wins over Adam Gawlas and Brendan Dolan. A commanding display against Niels Zonneveld sealed his semi-final berth.
Sedlacek, meanwhile, enjoyed a memorable run to the last four. The experienced Czech star eliminated World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle and Scotland’s Alan Soutar in the latter stages, though he ultimately fell short of claiming a maiden ranking title.
Among the Premier League contingent in action, it proved to be a disappointing day. Gerwyn Price suffered a 6-2 defeat to Adam Lipscombe — his second loss to Lipscombe in three Players Championship events. Jonny Clayton and Josh Rock also exited at the first hurdle, losing deciding-leg thrillers to Connor Scutt and James Hurrell respectively.
The Leicester double-header continues with Players Championship Six on Wednesday, where another 128-player field will battle it out for the £15,000 top prize as the early-season ProTour action intensifies.
Ross Smith Powers to Players Championships 5 Title
2026 Players Championship Five
Tuesday February 24
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Last 16
Christian Kist 6-1 Sebastian Bialecki
Chris Dobey 6-5 Danny Noppert
Joe Cullen 6-5 Brendan Dolan
Niels Zonneveld 6-0 Martijn Dragt
Ross Smith 6-2 Niko Springer
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Ricardo Pietreczko
Karel Sedlacek 6-2 Ryan Searle
Alan Soutar 6-4 Gary Anderson
Quarter-Finals
Chris Dobey 6-0 Christian Kist
Joe Cullen 6-2 Niels Zonneveld
Ross Smith 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Alan Soutar
Semi-Finals
Chris Dobey 7-4 Joe Cullen
Ross Smith 7-4 Karel Sedlacek
Final
Ross Smith 8-2 Chris Dobey
