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Jenny Segers/PDC Europe

Analysis | Germany set for record haul of Tour Card holders at PDC World Darts Championship

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 12:40 PM ET

With the recent increase in prize money across PDC events, qualification for the World Darts Championship has never been more vital. Just stepping on stage at Alexandra Palace guarantees a player £15,000, while a first-round win boosts that figure to £25,000. These earnings are pivotal for the Order of Merit and the retention of PDC Tour Cards. As August begins, we take an in-depth look at the German Tour Card holders and their current prospects for a place at darts’ biggest showpiece.

Schindler and Pietreczko – Germany’s Seeded Trailblazers

Germany’s top two stars, Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko, are both firmly on course for seeded spots at the World Championship – a historic moment for German darts.

Schindler currently sits 13th in the PDC Order of Merit, ahead of global names like Gerwyn Price and Dave Chisnall. As things stand, he’ll head to Ally Pally as Germany’s highest-ranked player – a first for the 28-year-old. That position could still shift depending on results in the final months of the season, but his seeding looks secure.

Meanwhile, Pietreczko is provisionally ranked 32nd for the World Championship, which also puts him in line for a seeded berth – ahead of the likes of Joe Cullen, Raymond van Barneveld, and Scott Williams. Both men are all but assured of their places in December.

Niko Springer – Second Appearance Beckons

Niko Springer looks set for a second straight World Championship appearance. After qualifying via the Development Tour last year, Springer has made rapid strides in his debut season as a Tour Card holder. The Mainz thrower is closing in on a spot in the world’s top 64 and currently sits comfortably within the qualification bracket via the Pro Tour Order of Merit – behind only Niels Zonneveld among those outside the top 40.

Clemens, Wenig & Grüllich – Strong in Numbers

Gabriel Clemens, Lukas Wenig, and Dominik Grüllich are all on course for Ally Pally qualification via the Pro Tour Order of Merit, currently sitting 18th, 19th, and 21st respectively. With the top 40 on that list sealing a World Championship berth, their current form puts them in an excellent position.

Grüllich, in particular, has impressed in his maiden year as a Tour Card pro, reaching a Pro Tour final. Clemens continues to pick up prize money steadily through consistent early-round wins. Wenig, meanwhile, made a major leap by reaching the final of Players Championship 23, bolstering his cushion over the chasing pack by £7,000 to £8,000. Their task now is to maintain that margin through the rest of the year.

Max Hopp – The Comeback Trail

Max Hopp is on the verge of returning to darts’ biggest stage. Currently 27th in the Pro Tour Order of Merit, the “Maximiser” holds a £5,000 buffer over the first player outside the qualification cut-off (Connor Scutt).

The former World Youth Champion is steadily finding form after a few difficult seasons and is aiming to re-establish himself on the tour. A return to Ally Pally would mark his first World Championship appearance in five years.

Seven Germans at Ally Pally? A Historic First

As things stand, seven German players have a realistic shot at qualifying for the 2026 World Championship. That would eclipse the current record of six, set in 2024. For Wenig and Grüllich, it would be a debut; for Hopp, a comeback; and for Schindler, Pietreczko, Clemens, and Springer, a continuation of their steady rise.

An additional qualifier via the Super League is also highly likely – 22 of the 24 current participants are German. And for any Tour Card holders who fall short, the PDPA Qualifier in early December offers four final places and a last lifeline before the draw is made.

Leon Weber – In Touch with the Dream

Leon Weber isn’t far off World Championship qualification in his debut season. He currently trails the cut-off by around £2,000 but recently booked a place in the Hungarian Darts Trophy, securing at least £1,250 with potential to gain more. A single win could significantly close the gap. The young German has his sights firmly set on Ally Pally, and the race remains open.

Hempel and Czerwinski – Fighting on Two Fronts

Florian Hempel faces a double battle – not only is he £5,500 short of a World Championship place, but he also needs to make up £4,000 to retain his Tour Card. Historically, the Cologne man has peaked late in the year and has never been qualified by early August – a late surge remains possible.

Maximilian Czerwinski, dubbed “the cucumber,” is also chasing qualification. He trails by £6,250 but a strong showing – like a semi-final on the Pro Tour, worth £5,000 – could reignite his bid. The margin is wide, but not insurmountable.

Wolters and Gotthardt – Outsiders for Ally Pally

Tim Wolters and Kai Gotthardt face uphill battles. Wolters is only playing sporadically this season and is neither in contention for Ally Pally nor for Tour Card retention. His only realistic route to the World Championship would be a surprise run through the PDPA Qualifier.

Gotthardt impressed on debut last year, famously beating Alan Soutar despite a broken barrel and pushing Stephen Bunting to the brink. After earning his Tour Card at Q-School, the Baden-Württemberg man started well with two board finals. However, he’s failed to earn prize money since mid-March and recently missed a match dart in European Tour qualifying. With a £12,500 deficit to the qualification line, his chances are now slim.

Conclusion – Germany on Course for a Landmark Year

With seven Germans either qualified or in strong contention, 2026 could mark a record-breaking year for the nation at Alexandra Palace. But for players like Hopp, Clemens, Grüllich, and Wenig, the challenge will be to protect their current standing as the season winds down.

Beyond the prestige, World Championship qualification is crucial for financial stability, ranking progression, and Tour Card retention. With several months of action still to come, the German contingent remains poised – and the fight for Ally Pally places promises to be as fierce as ever.

This article first appeared on Dartsnews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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