Martin Schindler Makes History at Swiss Darts Trophy 2025, Becomes First German in PDC Top 16

The Swiss Darts Trophy 2025, held at Basel’s St. Jakobshalle, was a tournament packed with excitement—but most notably, it marked a historic moment for German darts. Martin Schindler, known as “The Wall,” became the first German player ever to break into the PDC world’s top 16 rankings.

On Saturday, Schindler made a strong statement by comfortably beating fellow German Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 to advance to the third round. Although he was defeated 6-3 by former Premier League champion Jonny Clayton on Sunday, the loss did not threaten his rising position in the rankings.

The defining moment came later Sunday evening when Schindler’s direct rival, Gian van Veen, lost a narrow 7-6 semifinal thriller to Stephen Bunting. This result secured Schindler’s spot at number 16 on the Order of Merit, with £434,750 in prize money—just edging out Dave Chisnall (£433,750) and Van Veen (£433,250). Two-time world champion Peter Wright stands just ahead of Schindler with £436,500.

A New Era for German Darts

Schindler’s breakthrough not only marks a personal milestone but also signals a new chapter for German darts on the global stage. His ascent into the PDC elite brings tangible benefits, including a seeded position at the upcoming World Grand Prix starting October 6 in Leicester.

Looking ahead to the 2026 European Tour, Schindler’s top 16 status offers valuable advantages: automatic entry into the second round, greater peace of mind, and a more secure tournament schedule.

Onward and Upward

Schindler’s rise appears far from over. According to the provisional live rankings for the PDC World Darts Championship, he currently sits 14th in the qualifying race and 11th in the Tour Card race. Maintaining this momentum could see him solidify his place among the world’s elite and climb even higher.

At just 29 years old, Martin Schindler has firmly established himself as one of the world’s top darts players and looks set to continue making history for German darts in the years ahead.