Niko Springer withdraws from 2025 Players Championship Finals

Niko Springer has withdrawn from the 2025 Players Championship Finals due to illness.

Germany star Springer was set to make his debut in the event against fourth seed Ross Smith on Friday night, but has opted out of the trip to Minehead.

Springer has been replaced in the draw by Ryan Meikle – who is the next-ranked player from the 2025 Players Championship Order of Merit.

Meikle will make his sixth Players Championship Finals appearance and will face Smith in the final match of Friday afternoon’s session on the Main Stage.

Either world number one Luke Littler or Players Championship event winner Jeffrey De Graaf await the winner in Saturday’s Second Round.

Springer has enjoyed a superb debut season as a PDC Tour Card holder, finishing runner-up in May’s Dutch Darts Championship before going on to claim his maiden European Tour title at the Hungarian Darts Trophy in September.

He has also made debut appearances at the World Grand Prix, European Championship and Grand Slam of Darts – where he progressed to the knockout stage before losing out to German compatriot Lukas Wenig.

The 25-year-old has risen to 53rd in the Order of Merit and is due to make his second appearance in the World Championship at Alexandra Palace next month.