DARTS star Niko Springer has withdrawn from the Players Championship Finals just hours before the tournament.

The PDC announced the German had been forced to withdraw from the Minehead contest due to illness.

Mr. Vegas Grand Slam of Darts, WV Active Aldersley, Wolverhampton, UK - 13 Nov 2025Niko Springer has withdrawn from the Players Championship finalsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Players Championships, 2024 Darts Championship - 24 Nov 2024£120,000 is on the line for the winner of this year’s tournamentCredit: Rex

Springer, 25, had earned qualification following an impressive opening year as a Tour Card Holder.

Meenzer Bub was set to make his debut at the major against fourth seed Ross Smith on Friday evening.

However, illness has curtailed those plans.

Fortunately, PDC rules dictate how a replacement is selected.

The rules say Springer is replaced directly in the draw by the next-ranked player from the 2025 Players Championship rankings.

That means that Ryan Meikle will return to Minehead for the sixth time this weekend.

He will go head to head with Smith on the main stage on Friday before facing the winner of world No1 and Jeffrey de Graaf.

The first matches at Minehead get underway at 12:45pm, with the final taking place on Sunday.

is the reigning champion of the trophy and will take on rising star Gian van Veen in the opening round.

You can follow all the action with .

Players Championship Finals 2025 prize money

  • Winner: £120,000
  • Runner-up: £60,000
  • Semi-finals: £30,000
  • Quarter-finals: £20,000
  • Last-16: £10,000
  • Round two: £6,500
  • Round one: £3,000
  • Total: £600,000

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Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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