Preview: Players Championship Finals 2025

The Players Championship Finals traditionally mark the conclusion of an intense ProTour season. With 64 players qualifying through 34 Players Championship events, Minehead once again hosts a three-day battle of form, focus and resilience. The tournament begins on Friday 21 November with a packed opening day, followed by a double session on Saturday and the grand finale on Sunday. Unlike most other majors, the seeding is based solely on floor performances – a system that often produces surprises and unexpected deep runs.

Unique Tournament Dynamics

What sets the PC Finals apart is the emphasis on ProTour form alone. Big names who shine on TV may find themselves low in the seedings, while lesser-known but consistent floor specialists rank high. The shorter format in the early rounds leaves room for major upsets. With action spread across two stages in Minehead, players must adapt quickly to changes in atmosphere and rhythm – elements that contribute to the tournament’s unpredictability.

The 2025 draw immediately delivers several standout matchups, combining elite performers, debutants and seasoned veterans in encounters primed for drama.

Favourites and Contenders

Gerwyn Price, number one on the Players Championship ranking, opens against Max Hopp. With four floor titles this season, Price enters as a logical favourite. His drive to capture another major is evident, and the shorter early-round format suits his explosive style.

Reigning champion Luke Humphries enters as the 58th seed, yet remains one of the top contenders. His first-round clash with Gian van Veen, who has beaten him three times in 2025, may be the highlight of the entire opening round. Humphries thrives under Minehead pressure, but Van Veen is in top form and arguably the breakthrough star of the year.

Wessel Nijman, seeded second, has built his strong status through consistency and recent title success. His all-Dutch opener against Richard Veenstra is no guaranteed win, but Nijman appears increasingly comfortable on the big stage.

Further contenders include Damon Heta, Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting, all in excellent form. Dobey’s three floor titles make him one of the most dangerous threats in the draw, while Heta and Bunting have both proven they can peak in major knockout formats.

Outsiders and Potential Surprises

Minehead has a long history of surprise runs. Luke Littler, seeded 36th, remains a player no one wishes to face. His opener against Jeffrey de Graaf seems manageable, but tougher tests lie ahead. Realistically, Littler should perhaps be included among the favourites rather than the outsiders – his level continues to make him the player to beat.

Josh Rock is another danger man who has progressed well in 2025. His matchup with Gabriel Clemens is a serious examination, but Rock’s scoring power allows him to trouble any opponent.

Conclusion

The 2025 Players Championship Finals promise another thrilling mix of top seeds, form players and dangerous outsiders clashing in a format that allows little predictability. Known for its high pace and momentum swings, Minehead is the perfect setting for unexpected storylines.

With first-round ties like Humphries–Van Veen, Cullen–Wright and Ratajski–Van Barneveld, the stage is set for a dramatic weekend – exactly what this tournament is built for.