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History of the Players Championship Finals Darts

Miroslaw Jaworski

This highly anticipated event is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, as the world's best darts players battle it out for the championship title. As the excitement builds, fans can only wait in anticipation for the start of this incredible tournament.

The Players Championship Finals Darts is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport of darts. It has a rich history that dates back to its inception in 2009. In this blog post, we will delve into the origins of the tournament, its past winners, and some of the most memorable moments that have taken place throughout the years.

Origins of the Players Championship Finals Darts

The Players Championship Finals Darts is a relatively new tournament compared to some of the other major darting events. It was first introduced in 2009 and was initially held in Purfleet, Essex, where it was known as the Players Championship. The tournament was created to provide a platform for the top 32 players from the Players Championship Order of Merit. The format was a straight knockout, and the winner was awarded a grand prize of £60,000.

In 2010, the tournament moved to the Doncaster Dome in Doncaster, England. It was here that the tournament was renamed the Players Championship Finals Darts. The tournament has remained at the Doncaster Dome ever since and has become a fan favorite.

Past winners of the Players Championship Finals Darts

Since its inception, the Players Championship Finals Darts has seen some of the best players in the game lift the trophy. The first winner of the tournament was Phil Taylor, who defeated Adrian Lewis 16-8 in the final. Taylor went on to win the tournament again in 2011, making him the only player to have won the tournament twice.

Other notable past winners of the Players Championship Finals Darts include Michael van Gerwen, who won the tournament three times in a row from 2013 to 2015. Gary Anderson, who won the tournament in 2014, and Daryl Gurney, who won in 2018, are also memorable winners.

Memorable moments from the Players Championship Finals Darts

Over the years, the Players Championship Finals Darts has produced some truly memorable moments. In 2013, Michael van Gerwen produced a stunning performance in the final against Phil Taylor, winning 11-7 and hitting a 170 checkout in the process. This was the first time that van Gerwen had won the tournament, and it paved the way for his domination of the event in the following years.

Another memorable moment came in 2015 when van Gerwen faced Adrian Lewis in the final. The match was a classic, with both players hitting some incredible shots. However, it was van Gerwen who came out on top, winning 11-6 and securing his third consecutive title.

Format and Rules

The Players Championship Finals Darts is one of the most exciting and anticipated events in the world of darts. This annual tournament features some of the best darts players from around the world, who compete for the coveted title and a share of the prize money.If you're a fan of darts, you're probably already familiar with the format and rules of the Players Championship Finals Darts. But for those who are new to the sport or the tournament, here's a breakdown of what you can expect.

Format of the Players Championship Finals Darts

The tournament is a knockout competition that consists of 64 players. The players are selected based on their performance in the 30 Players Championship events that take place throughout the year.

The tournament begins with a first round, where the 64 players compete in a best-of-11-legs match. The winners of the first round move on to the second round, where they face off in a best-of-11-legs match. The winners of the second round move on to the quarter-finals, where they compete in a best-of-19-legs match.

The semi-finals are also best-of-19-legs matches, while the final is a best-of-21-legs match. The winner of the final is crowned the Players Championship Finals Darts champion.

Rules and Regulations of the Players Championship Finals Darts

Like any sport, darts has its own set of rules and regulations that players must follow. Here are some of the key rules and regulations of the Players Championship Finals Darts:

  • Each player starts with a score of 501 and must reach zero by hitting a double on their final throw.
  • Each leg consists of three darts thrown by each player.
  • The player who scores the most points in each leg wins the leg.
  • If a player wins the final leg, they win the match.
  • If the score is tied after the final leg, a tie-breaker leg is played to determine the winner.

Changes to the Format and Rules for this Year's Event

While the format and rules of the Players Championship Finals Darts have remained largely consistent over the years, there are a few changes to look out for in this year's event.

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a new set of darts. The new darts have been designed to be more accurate and reliable, which should make for more exciting and competitive matches.

In addition, there will be a new set of rules that will govern the use of the new darts. Players will be required to use the new darts during the tournament, and any player found to be using an older set of darts will be disqualified.

Players to Watch

The Players Championship Finals Darts tournament is one of the most highly anticipated events in the sport of darts. As the competition heats up, fans are eager to know which players are the ones to watch. In this article, we'll be profiling some of the top players competing in the tournament, discussing their recent performances and chances of winning, and highlighting any newcomers or underdogs to watch out for.

  1. Michael van Gerwen - The Dutch darts player is no stranger to the spotlight and is a favorite going into the tournament. Van Gerwen has recently been in top form, winning several tournaments including the World Grand Prix. His high average and consistent performance make him the one to beat.
  2. Gerwyn Price - Another top contender in the tournament, Price has had an incredible year so far. He recently won the World Cup of Darts alongside Jonny Clayton and has been a consistent performer on the circuit. Price's powerful scoring and impressive finishing make him a strong contender for the title.
  3. Peter Wright - The reigning world champion, Wright has had a mixed year so far. He had a strong start to the season, winning the Masters and the Belgian Darts Championship, but hasn't been as consistent in recent months. Despite this, Wright is a top player and should not be underestimated.
  4. Jonny Clayton - The Welshman has had a breakout year, winning several tournaments and becoming a regular in the top 10 rankings. Clayton's consistent performance and impressive scoring make him a dark horse in the tournament.
  5. Jose de Sousa - The Portuguese player has been a revelation on the circuit this year, winning his first major tournament at the Grand Slam of Darts. De Sousa's unique throw and unconventional style make him a player to watch out for.
  6. Dimitri Van den Bergh - The young Belgian player has had a solid year so far, winning the World Matchplay in July. Van den Bergh's impressive scoring and clutch finishing make him a dangerous opponent.
  7. Michael Smith - The English player has had a mixed year, but his high average and consistent performance make him a top player in the tournament. Smith has reached several finals this year and will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.
  8. Gabriel Clemens - The German player has been a consistent performer this year, reaching several quarterfinals and semifinals. Clemens' powerful scoring and impressive finishing make him a player to watch out for.
  9. Callan Rydz - The young English player is a newcomer to the tournament, but his recent performances have been impressive. Rydz won his first PDC title in September and has been a regular in the later stages of tournaments.
  10. Danny Noppert - The Dutch player has been a consistent performer on the circuit for several years, but has yet to win a major tournament. Noppert's scoring and finishing make him a dangerous opponent, and he will be looking to make a statement in this year's tournament.

Schedule and Results

The Players Championship Finals Darts tournament is one of the most exciting events in the world of darts. With top players from around the globe competing for the championship title, fans are in for a thrilling ride. In this blog post, we'll provide you with a complete schedule of the tournament's matches, update you on the results of each round, and analyze the key matches and upsets of the tournament.

Schedule of Matches:

The Players Championship Finals Darts tournament is a three-day event that takes place in November every year. The first day of the tournament is typically a Friday, with the second and third days taking place on Saturday and Sunday. The tournament is divided into four rounds, with the final round taking place on Sunday evening. Here's a breakdown of the tournament's schedule:

  • Friday: Round 1 - Saturday: Round 2 and Quarterfinals
  • Sunday: Semifinals and Final

Results of Each Round:

Round 1:

The opening round of the tournament saw some thrilling matches, with several top players making an early exit. The biggest upset of the round came when Nathan Aspinall, the defending champion, crashed out of the tournament after losing to Ross Smith. Other notable results included Dave Chisnall's victory over Ryan Meikle, and Michael Smith's win against Adrian Lewis.

Round 2:

The second round of the tournament saw some of the top players in action, with Michael Van Gerwen, Peter Wright, and Gerwyn Price all progressing to the quarterfinals. The standout match of the round was between Joe Cullen and Jonny Clayton, with Cullen coming out on top in a thrilling encounter.

Quarterfinals:

The quarterfinals of the tournament saw some of the top players facing off against each other, with some close matches and surprise results. Michael Smith defeated Jose De Sousa in a high-scoring match, while Peter Wright overcame Ian White. Michael Van Gerwen was also in fine form, defeating Nathan Aspinall's conqueror, Ross Smith.

Semifinals and Final:

The semifinals saw Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price face off against each other, with Van Gerwen coming out on top in a close match. In the other semifinal, Peter Wright defeated Michael Smith to set up a final against Van Gerwen. In the final, Van Gerwen's experience and skill proved too much for Wright, as he won the championship title for the fifth time.

Key Matches and Upsets:

The tournament was full of exciting matches and surprise results, with several key matches and upsets taking place throughout the tournament. The biggest upset of the tournament came in the first round, when Nathan Aspinall, the defending champion, was knocked out by Ross Smith. Other notable upsets included Gabriel Clemens' victory over James Wade, and Jonny Clayton's win against Krzysztof Ratajski.

Prize Money and Rankings

The Players Championship Finals Darts is one of the most highly anticipated events in the darts world. Not only is it a chance for players to showcase their skills, but it also offers a significant amount of prize money and can greatly impact their rankings. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the prize money, rankings, and any records or milestones achieved during the tournament.

Prize Money

The prize money for the Players Championship Finals Darts is nothing to scoff at. In 2019, the total prize fund was £500,000, with the winner taking home a whopping £100,000. The runner-up received £50,000, while the semi-finalists earned £25,000 each. Even those who didn't make it past the second round still walked away with £5,000.

The prize money for the Players Championship Finals Darts is a significant source of income for many players. It can help them to cover their travel expenses, pay for equipment, and even support their families. For some players, winning this tournament can be life-changing.

Rankings

The Players Championship Finals Darts also offers players the opportunity to earn valuable ranking points. These points are used to determine a player's position in the world rankings, which can impact their eligibility for other tournaments and even their seeding in future events.

Players who perform well in the Players Championship Finals Darts can see a significant boost in their rankings. For example, the winner of the tournament earns 10,000 ranking points, which is more than the points awarded for some smaller events. This can help players climb the rankings quickly and establish themselves as top contenders in the darts world.

Records and Milestones

The Players Championship Finals Darts has seen its fair share of records and milestones over the years. In 2019, Michael van Gerwen became the first player to win the tournament five times, cementing his status as one of the greatest darts players of all time. He also set a new record for the highest average in a best-of-11 match, scoring an incredible 123.5 against Adrian Lewis in the quarter-finals.

Other notable records and milestones from the Players Championship Finals Darts include Phil Taylor's nine-dart finish in the 2009 tournament, as well as Gary Anderson's back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015.

Conclusion

The Players Championship Finals Darts is a must-watch event for any darts fan. With a significant amount of prize money on the line and valuable ranking points up for grabs, it's no wonder that players from all over the world compete in this tournament every year. Whether you're a fan of the sport or just looking for some exciting entertainment, the Players Championship Finals Darts is sure to deliver.