Luke Humphries wins second Players Championship in Leicester

Luke Humphries won his second Players Championship of 2026, beating Jermaine Wattimena 8-4 in the final. This is his second title this year.
By Newsroom | Sports, Darts |

Luke Humphries secured his second Players Championship title of the year, overcoming Jermaine Wattimena 8-4 in the final at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester on Monday, May 18, 2026. The victory underscores Humphries's consistent performance on the ProTour circuit and adds to his collection of recent successes.

Humphries registered a tournament average of 104.74, a figure that highlights his dominant form throughout the event. His path to the final included decisive victories over Christian Kist (6-2), Wessel Nijman (6-3), and Danny Noppert (7-3) in the semi-finals. Wattimena, meanwhile, reached the final after defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh (6-2), Stephen Bunting (6-3), and notably Kevin Doets (7-2) in a semi-final where he reportedly averaged over 111.

Despite Wattimena opening the final with a 2-0 lead, Humphries maintained composure. He responded by winning three consecutive legs and maintained a steady advantage to close out the match. This win solidifies Humphries's position as a top contender and builds momentum as he prepares for the Premier League play-offs.

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Humphries keeps cool to clinch Players Championship 17 crown - 1

Tournament Progression and Notable Performances

The Players Championship 17 saw a range of results, with several players making significant runs.

  • Last 16:

  • Wessel Nijman 6-5 Andrew Gilding

  • Luke Humphries 6-2 Christian Kist

  • Rob Owen 6-2 Maik Kuivenhoven

  • Danny Noppert 6-3 Ryan Searle

  • Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Ross Smith

  • Kevin Doets 6-2 Ross Smith

  • Stephen Bunting 6-5 Damon Heta

  • Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Dimitri Van den Bergh

  • Quarter-Finals:

  • Luke Humphries 6-3 Wessel Nijman

  • Danny Noppert 6-5 Rob Owen

  • Kevin Doets 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode

  • Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Stephen Bunting

  • Semi-Finals:

  • Luke Humphries 7-3 Danny Noppert

  • Jermaine Wattimena 7-2 Kevin Doets

Kevin Doets continued his strong season, reaching another semi-final. His performance this year has included a maiden PDC ranking title at PC13, alongside multiple quarter-final and semi-final appearances. Danny Noppert, reaching his second consecutive semi-final, experienced his ninth successive defeat at this stage of a Players Championship. Rob Owen, unseeded, also reached a quarter-final, narrowly missing opportunities against Noppert.

Background on Luke Humphries

Luke Humphries, known by his moniker 'Cool Hand Luke', is an English professional darts player born on February 11, 1995. He competes on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit. Humphries rose to prominence after winning the 2019 PDC World Youth Championship and notably clinched the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship, establishing himself as a significant talent in the sport. His current ranking is World No 2.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the Players Championship in Leicester on Monday, May 18, 2026?
Luke Humphries won the Players Championship in Leicester on Monday, May 18, 2026. He beat Jermaine Wattimena 8-4 in the final match. This is his second title of the year.
Q: What was Luke Humphries's average score in the final?
Luke Humphries had a tournament average of 104.74, showing he played very well. He won the match 8-4 against Jermaine Wattimena.
Q: How did Jermaine Wattimena do in the final?
Jermaine Wattimena reached the final of the Players Championship in Leicester. He lost to Luke Humphries 8-4. Wattimena had a strong run to the final, beating other top players.
Q: What does this win mean for Luke Humphries?
This win is Luke Humphries's second Players Championship title of 2026. It shows he is playing well and builds his confidence for upcoming events like the Premier League play-offs. He is currently ranked World No 2.