Nijman Aims for Ally Pally Success After Stellar Year

Wessel Nijman is looking to enhance his recent achievements with a strong performance at the upcoming Paddy Power World Darts Championship. The 25-year-old Dutch darts player has established himself as a prominent figure on the ProTour in recent years.

Nijman’s Recent Achievements

Nijman finished second in the Players Championship rankings in 2025, securing two titles along the way. His prior success includes topping the Development Tour in 2024 and reaching the semi-finals of two major European Tour events this year: the Dutch Darts Championship and the European Darts Open.

Ambitions for Ally Pally

“I think I’ve made even more impact this year than last year,” Nijman stated positively. He reflects on his progress, noting, “I took the next step by winning multiple titles and consistently reaching semi-finals.” His goal remains to improve further in future competitions.

• Finish: 2nd at Players Championship (2025)
• Titles: 2
• Development Tour: 1st place (2024)
• European Tour Semi-finals: Dutch Darts Championship, European Darts Open (2023)

Challenges in Televised Events

Despite his success on the ProTour, Nijman has faced challenges in televised competitions. He has not progressed beyond the third round in any ranked televised event over the last two years. Although he reached the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts in November, he is eager to convert his floor success into televised wins.

“It’s just a matter of time and gaining experience,” he explained. Nijman believes that as he gains more televised match experience, his results will improve accordingly.

All Eyes on Ally Pally

Nijman has fond memories from the Alexandra Palace stage. Last year, he narrowly won his opening match against Cameron Carolissen 3-2. He aims to achieve a more substantial run this year as he prepares for his third appearance at the World Darts Championship.

“It’s the best thing in the world playing at Ally Pally,” Nijman said. “A good run here would mean everything.” He enters the tournament as the 31st seed, marking his debut in the world’s top 32.

Potential Matchups

This ranking sets the stage for a potentially tough matchup against world number two Luke Humphries in the third round, should both players advance. Nijman, who has lost all three previous matches against Humphries, acknowledges the challenge: “It is better to draw someone other than the world number one or two.”

With high hopes and a determined spirit, Nijman is ready to make a significant impact at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship this year. His journey reflects the ambitions of a rising star in the world of darts.