Michael van Gerwen has announced he will not be competing in the Players Championship Finals after a difficult year
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
10:01, 21 Nov 2025
Michael van Gerwen will not be playing at the Players Championship(Image: Lewis Storey, Getty Images)
Darts legend Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the Players Championship to prioritise his family. The 36-year-old three-time world champion has chosen to step away from the Minehead competition to focus on personal matters, after announcing that he was getting a divorce earlier this year.
This marks the first occasion Van Gerwen will be absent from the Players Championship Finals since the tournament began in 2009, having qualified for every edition until now.
The Dutchman has dominated the event throughout his career, claiming victory seven times – surpassing even darts icon Phil Taylor’s tally by four titles.
Despite this impressive record, Van Gerwen has struggled with form at the oche this season. He will now potentially miss out on £120,000 – the prize money on offer for those who win the tournament.
Speaking to Darts World, Van Gerwen said: “Everyone knows what has happened and right now, my focus is solely on my children.
“The news about myself and their mother affects them enormously and it’s vital we both continue to provide love and attention no matter what.
“This is a decision that was already in place. I know my fans would like to see me in Minehead, but I assure them I will be back very soon.”
He added: “This has been a tough year and I now need to recharge the batteries before the World Championships. I owe it to myself, my management, sponsors and also the fans to only perform when I’m fully focused and can give 100% to the game I love.
“My family are what matter most and they will always be the priority, regardless of anything else. Thank you for your continued words of support on social media. I do see them, and it means a lot.”
Michael van Gerwen has been hugely successful at the Players Championship in the past(Image: Getty)
Prior to his admission, Van Gerwen was battling to secure his spot at the Finals. The Players Championship operates differently to other tournaments, with qualification not available through the PDC Order of Merit, where Van Gerwen currently holds third place.
Entry to the finals is exclusively determined by the Players Championship Order of Merit. Van Gerwen competed in 15 Players Championship events this season but suffered first-round eliminations on eight occasions.
He subsequently withdrew from the final three competitions that would have contributed towards his qualification hopes. A total of 34 Players Championship events took place throughout the year.
Performances from those tournaments determined the rankings, with the leading 64 players securing their place at the Finals.
The Players Championship is scheduled to take place from Friday, November 21 to Sunday, November 23, with Luke Humphries seeking to retain the title he claimed in 2024.
