Chris Dobey secured his ninth Players Championship title by defeating Stephen Bunting 8-1 in the final held in Wigan. This victory marks Dobey’s first Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ranking title of 2026, along with a prize of £15,000.
Path to Victory
Dobey showcased an impressive performance throughout the tournament. His journey included:
- Defeating Bradley Brooks 6-0 in the last 16.
- Winning against Darryl Pilgrim 6-5 in the quarter-finals.
- Overcoming Tom Bissell 7-2 in the semi-finals.
Bissell had an impressive run in the tournament, eliminating both Ritchie Edhouse and Rob Cross to reach the semi-finals. Bunting, on the other hand, won against notable players such as Danny Noppert, Jonny Clayton, and James Wade, achieving three ton-plus averages throughout the day.
Wigan Event Highlights
Other notable matches included:
- Tom Bissell defeating Ritchie Edhouse 6-5 in the last 16.
- Stephen Bunting narrowly beating Danny Noppert 6-4.
- Jonny Clayton winning against Beau Greaves 6-5.
Quarter and Semi-Finals Results
| Stage | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter-Finals | Tom Bissell vs. Jim Long | 6-4 |
| Quarter-Finals | Chris Dobey vs. Darryl Pilgrim | 6-5 |
| Quarter-Finals | Stephen Bunting vs. Jonny Clayton | 6-3 |
| Quarter-Finals | James Wade vs. Kevin Doets | 6-4 |
| Semi-Finals | Chris Dobey vs. Tom Bissell | 7-2 |
| Semi-Finals | Stephen Bunting vs. James Wade | 7-6 |
Future Aspirations
Following his victory, Dobey expressed his desire to return to the Premier League stage. He acknowledged his performance in the previous year was lacking and aims to replicate this winning form at major events.
As the darts season continues, viewers can catch more thrilling matches, including the Premier League, airing every Thursday from February to May on Sky Sports.
