PDC Europe/Gábor Kiss

Niko Springer joins Luke Littler in elite four-man club after Hungarian Darts Trophy title win

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Sep 24, 2025 9:19 AM ET

Hungarian darts fans got their money's worth at the 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy last. The tournament was full of excitement, but it was the performance of Niko Springer that caused a stir. The young German took the title and made darts history in the process.

With his title win, Springer becomes only the fourth player in history to win a European Tour tournament in his debut year as a PDC Tour Card holder. With that, Springer joins a special list of players to have also achieved such a feat: Krzysztof Ratajski, Luke Littler and Jamie Hughes.

A dream start for Springer

Niko Springer captured his coveted PDC Tour Card early this year and began his first year at the highest level with healthy ambition. Although he already impressed in previous Euro Tour tournaments with his scoring ability and his coolness on the doubles, winning a title was still in the future for many. Nevertheless, Springer proved in Budapest that he is already ready to compete with the big boys.

His path to the title was anything but easy. Along the way, he defeated several established names and showed that he can maintain his level both under pressure and in long matches. The way he kept his nerves in check in the semifinals and finals shows his maturity as a player, despite his young age and limited experience on this stage.

Elite company

With this victory, Springer joins a very select group. In 2018, Poland's Ratajski was the first to complete this feat. He proved then that permanent participation on the PDC Tour is also achievable for players from emerging darting countries. Then followed Hughes, who grabbed his first Euro Tour title in 2019, and of course Littler also has his place in this list. The Englishman stunned the darts world with his impressive performances and set the bar high for all new talents.

So now it is Niko Springer who may join these names. For German darts fans, this is extra special. Germany has experienced an enormous growth in popularity and number of talented players in recent years, and Springer can become the figurehead of this new generation.

Outlook

The question now is what this title means for Springer's future. His confidence will undoubtedly have received a big boost. With two more Euro Tour tournaments and the Players Championship tournaments on the calendar, he can firmly improve his ranking. Also, participation in the big TV tournaments this year seems more within reach than ever.

What is certain: the 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy will be remembered as the tournament in which Niko Springer made his definitive breakthrough. And with his name now alongside those of Ratajski, Littler and Hughes, the darts world seems to have a new star richer.

Players to win a European Tour event in their first season with a tour card

Jamie Hughes
Krzysztof Ratajski
Luke Littler
Niko Springer
— Weekly Dartscast (@WeeklyDartscast) September 21, 2025