The line-ups for Players Championships 25 and 26 have now been confirmed. The PDC has published the list of entrants for the double-header in Hildesheim, scheduled for 28 and 29 July at Halle 39. In other words: following Blackpool, the circuit immediately resumes the ProTour, with the race for the World Grand Prix set to become a very real prospect once again.
The official announcement puts two Dutch players in particular in the spotlight: Gian van Veen, who is already on a strong run at the World Matchplay, and Wessel Nijman, described by the PDC as the winner of eight ranking titles in 2026. In this sort of double-header, points add up quickly, absences are noticeable, and the outsiders often have a real chance.
What the PDC has confirmed for Hildesheim
According to the announcement published by the PDC, both tournaments will be held at Halle 39 in Hildesheim. The format remains that of the ProTour: 128 players per day, comprising Tour Card Holders and PDPA associate members who will make up the field.
| Competition | Players Championships 25 and 26 |
| Venue | Halle 39, Hildesheim |
| Dates | 28 and 29 July 2026 |
| Start of matches | 1.00 pm CEST, 12.00 pm BST |
| Broadcast | Four boards on PDCTV and via international bookmakers |
The PDC also notes that the main streaming feed will feature commentary in German. This is no trivial detail: Hildesheim remains a key fixture on the European calendar, and this return to Germany comes at a time when several local players or those based on the European circuit are still looking to consolidate their positions.
Nijman, Van Veen, Price, Van Gerwen: a packed line-up
The name that springs to mind most quickly is that of Wessel Nijman. His 2026 season has already taken on a whole new dimension, and another ProTour appearance offers him a direct opportunity to build on this momentum. The PDC also highlights Gian van Veen, the Dutch number one, whose week in Blackpool has further cemented his status.
The line-up isn’t limited to these Dutch players. The list also includes Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall, Chris Dobey, Damon Heta, James Wade, Peter Wright, Beau Greaves and Thibault Tricole. This is where things get tough: it’s not just a routine return to action, it’s a real test of depth following a high-profile major.
We’ll also be keeping an eye on the players who need points more quietly. Players Championships don’t always make the headlines in the same way as a major, but they carry weight in the qualifiers, in the secondary rankings and in the confidence of players who are competing week in, week out.
The race for the World Grand Prix returns to the fore
The immediate focus of these two days is qualification for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix. The PDC emphasises this in its announcement: the resumption of the ProTour in Germany forms part of this race. For established players, it’s an opportunity to secure their position. For those chasing a place, it’s sometimes the sort of week that changes the course of their season.
We’d already seen, during Players Championships 23 and 24 ahead of the World Matchplay cut, just how much these events could influence the course of the season. Hildesheim follows the same pattern: less fanfare than in Blackpool, but plenty at stake in the draws.
Why this list matters now
The timing makes the announcement more interesting than simply publishing a list. The World Matchplay is still dominating the headlines, but the circuit isn’t standing still. From Tuesday, part of the field will be back on the ProTour boards, with two days that could revive players’ fortunes, confirm current form or open up a new window of opportunity for the outsiders.
For us, the angle to follow is clear: Nijman and Van Veen are arriving on the rise, but they won’t be the only ones in the spotlight. With Price, Van Gerwen, Smith, Wade, Greaves and Tricole all in the mix, this double-header could quickly prove more revealing than it first appears.
