Niko Springer has been forced to pull out of the Players Championship Finals just a day before the event starts.

The German darts star is suffering from illness and will no longer be taking part in the tournament in Minehead. Seething Luke Littler makes X-rated comment moments into Grand Slam of Darts semi-final

Springer was set to make his debut in the first round of the event against No.4 seed Ross Smith on Friday.

However, it was announced on Thursday afternoon that he would be withdrawing and a replacement would be taking his spot.

The PDC confirmed: "Niko Springer has withdrawn from the 2025 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals due to illness, and will be replaced in the field by Ryan Meikle.

"Under PDC rules, Springer is replaced directly in the draw by the next-ranked playe

See Full Page