What Is 2022 PDC Players Championship 1

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2022 PDC Players Championship 1 was a darts tournament held on February 5, 2022, at the Barnsley Metrodome in England. It was the first of 30 Players Championship events in the 2022 PDC Pro Tour, with Joe Cullen defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh 8–5 in the final.

Key Facts

Event took place on February 5, 2022, at the Barnsley Metrodome, England
Joe Cullen won the tournament by defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh 8–5 in the final
Total prize fund was £100,000, with the winner receiving £20,000
This was the first of 30 Players Championship events in the 2022 PDC Pro Tour
Michael van Gerwen recorded the highest checkout of the tournament: 170

Overview

The 2022 PDC Players Championship 1 was the opening event of the 30-tournament Players Championship series on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Pro Tour. Held on February 5, 2022, it featured 128 players competing in a single-elimination format across multiple rounds.

Hosted at the Barnsley Metrodome in South Yorkshire, England, the tournament attracted top-ranked professionals and qualifiers. The event marked a return to full-capacity crowds following pandemic-related restrictions, boosting player engagement and fan excitement.

Event date: The tournament was held on a single day, February 5, 2022, marking the official start of the PDC’s 2022 floor events calendar.
Location: The Barnsley Metrodome served as the venue, a frequent host for PDC events due to its central location and large seating capacity.
Format: The competition used a best-of-11 legs format in early rounds, progressing to best-of-19 legs in the final.
Winner:Joe Cullen claimed his first 2022 title by defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh 8–5 in a tightly contested final.
Prize fund: The total prize pool was £100,000, with the champion earning £20,000 and the runner-up receiving £10,000.

How It Works

The PDC Players Championship series consists of non-televised floor events that contribute to the ProTour Order of Merit and qualification for televised tournaments. Each event follows a standardized structure to ensure fairness and competitive balance.

Entry:128 players participate, including PDC Tour Card holders and select qualifiers from regional events and development tours.
Draw: The tournament draw is randomly generated, with no seeding, increasing the likelihood of early upsets and unpredictable matchups.
Scoring: Matches are played in a legs format, where each leg requires a double finish, and the first to win the required number advances.
Progression: Winners advance through rounds from the last 128 to the final, with each round increasing in leg requirements and pressure.
Prize Distribution: Prize money is distributed across all rounds, with even first-round losers receiving £500 to support professional players’ livelihoods.
Order of Merit: Earnings contribute directly to the ProTour Order of Merit, influencing qualification for events like the UK Open and Players Championship Finals.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2022 Players Championship 1 with other key PDC events in terms of structure and rewards.

Event	Date	Prize Fund	Winner's Share	Format
Players Championship 1 (2022)	February 5, 2022	£100,000	£20,000	Best-of-11 to best-of-19 legs
UK Open 2022	March 5–6, 2022	£600,000	£110,000	Random draw, sets format
World Championship 2022	Dec 2021–Jan 2022	£2.5 million	£500,000	Best-of-sets, increasing length
Players Championship Finals	November 2022	£500,000	£100,000	Best-of-11 to best-of-19 legs
World Series of Darts	Multiple dates	Varies by event	~£25,000–£60,000	Short-format, televised

While the Players Championship 1 offers a modest prize compared to majors like the World Championship, it plays a crucial role in maintaining player activity and ranking points throughout the year. Its format is designed for efficiency and fairness, allowing multiple matches to be completed in a single day.

Why It Matters

The 2022 PDC Players Championship 1 set the tone for the season and highlighted the depth of talent across the ProTour. It provided essential ranking opportunities and prize money for players outside the elite televised circuit.

Rankings impact: Earnings from the event count toward the ProTour Order of Merit, influencing seeding and qualification for bigger tournaments.
Competitive depth: The random draw allowed lesser-known players to challenge top names, showcasing the depth of talent in professional darts.
Joe Cullen's momentum: Cullen’s win signaled a strong start to his 2022 campaign, building confidence for future televised events.
Fan engagement: With full crowds returning, the event helped revive live darts culture post-pandemic, boosting atmosphere and player performance.
Development pathway: Floor events like this provide crucial experience for emerging players aiming to break into the top ranks.
Global reach: Though not televised, the results were widely reported, contributing to the global visibility of the PDC’s year-round structure.

Overall, the 2022 PDC Players Championship 1 was more than just an opening tournament—it was a foundational event that reinforced the competitive integrity and financial sustainability of the professional darts circuit.