Here is a full news-style article on Why Michael van Gerwen isn’t competing at the 2025 Players Championship Finals:
Why Michael van Gerwen Is Absent from the 2025 Players Championship Finals
For the first time since the tournament began in 2009, Michael van Gerwen will not feature at the Players Championship Finals — a stunning development that has shocked darts fans and highlighted one of the most turbulent seasons of the Dutchman’s career.
The three-time world champion, who once dominated every corner of the PDC circuit, will be watching this year’s event from home after failing to qualify for the top-64 cut on the Players Championship Order of Merit.
A Rare Failure to Qualify
The Players Championship Finals is unique within the PDC calendar: qualification is based solely on earnings from the series of Players Championship floor events. Van Gerwen, who has typically picked and chosen his Pro Tour appearances, paid the price for an unusually light schedule combined with inconsistent form.
He finished outside the top 64, leaving him mathematically unable to secure a spot in Minehead.
This marks a major break from tradition: Van Gerwen has played in every edition of the tournament since its inception and has even lifted the title multiple times. His absence underscores just how off-balance his 2025 season has been.
Withdrawals from Crucial Events
A significant factor in his failure to qualify was his decision to withdraw from the final three Players Championship events of the season. These tournaments held enormous weight in determining the final qualification list, but Van Gerwen stepped away, effectively removing himself from contention.
According to the Dutch star, the decision was intentional — not forced by injury but made for personal and mental reasons.
“I Need to Clear My Head”
Van Gerwen has spoken candidly about needing to hit pause on a chaotic year, referencing challenging circumstances in his personal life. He admitted he needed time to “recharge the batteries” and prioritise his family.
With reports of personal strain and his father’s illness, as well as time spent apart from his wife, Van Gerwen said darts had to take a temporary back seat.
Form That Never Sparked
Even when he did play, Van Gerwen’s performances on the floor events were far from his usual high standards. Multiple early exits — including a number of first-round defeats — left him with little opportunity to build the ranking money needed for qualification.
The Pro Tour has increasingly become a battleground for rising stars, and this season the Dutchman rarely found the rhythm or consistency that made him the sport’s most feared player.
A Reset Ahead of the Worlds
Despite his absence from Minehead, Van Gerwen is expected to return for the 2025/26 World Darts Championship, using the break to refocus and reset ahead of Alexandra Palace.
While missing the Players Championship Finals is undoubtedly a blow, fans will be hoping the time away brings back the sharp, ruthless version of MVG that has defined much of modern darts
