Get ready for a thrilling darts spectacle! On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the Oranjebar in Mariahout will host the highly anticipated final day of the Oranjebar Top Players Competition. Thirty-two elite players, including four PDC Tour Card holders, will battle it out for a grand prize of €500 and a share of the €1,700 total prize fund. The action kicks off at 8:00 PM with the draw, followed by an intense knockout format. Spectators can follow the live scores online or, even better, witness the excitement firsthand as admission is free!
The Road to the Finals: How 80 Became 32
The Oranjebar Top Players Competition is an exclusive darts tournament that initially invited 80 top players to compete for prestigious prizes. The journey to the final day began with preliminary rounds held over four weeks in June 2026.
Each preliminary evening featured four groups of five players. The competition was fierce, with only the top two from each group advancing. This rigorous qualification process has now culminated in a formidable field of 32 players, all vying for the ultimate title on July 9th.
Meet the Elite 32: Who’s in the Running?
The final day boasts an impressive lineup, including four players who hold coveted PDC Tour Cards, indicating their professional status in the darts world. Here are the qualified finalists:
- Levy Frauenfelder (A1)
- Ralph Wetzels (A2)
- Danny van Trijp (B1)
- Anca Zijlstra (B3, replaces Patrick Bulen)
- Jimmy van Schie (C1)
- Remco Pluym (C2)
- Davy van der Zande (D1)
- Dennis van Bergen (D2)
- Jermaine Wattimena (E1) – PDC Tour Card Holder
- Giovanni Vissers (E2)
- Javanico Jansen (F1)
- Pim van Bijnen (F2)
- Michael van de Ven (G1)
- Evan van der Doelen (G3, replaces Patrick Honings)
- Pedro van Bergen (H1)
- Theo Bekkers (H2)
- Willem Mandigers (I1) – PDC Tour Card Holder
- Dennis van der Steen (I2)
- Wesley Plaisier (J1) – PDC Tour Card Holder
- Marc Vleghert (J2)
- Nigel van Milligen (K1)
- Nick Hijmans (K2)
- Wesley van Trijp (L1)
- Terry Smetsers (L2)
- Gino Vos (M1)
- Mike de Groot (M2)
- Ricarod Ulrich (N1)
- Stan Vos (N2)
- Rohan Brouwers (O1)
- Thijn Coolen (O2)
- Daan Bastiaansen (P1)
- Danny van Klompenburg (P2) – PDC Tour Card Holder
The Battle Format: Two Stages of Knockout Drama
The final day will unfold in an exciting two-stage knockout format:
First Stage Knock-out:
- The winners (number 1 seeds) from the preliminary groups will be drawn against randomly selected runners-up (number 2 seeds) from other groups.
- These matches will determine who advances directly and who gets a second chance in the next draw.
Final Stage Knock-out:
- After the first stage, all winners will be placed into one pot, and all losers into another.
- A fresh draw will then take place for the ‘Final Stage Knock-out’.
- Crucially, for players in this stage, a loss means elimination from the tournament. The stakes couldn’t be higher!
All matches throughout the final day will be played in a best-of-11 legs format, ensuring plenty of thrilling darts action.
Event Schedule and Prize Money
The highly anticipated draw for both the First Stage and Final Stage will take place at 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 9th, at the Oranjebar. Matches will commence shortly after the draw is completed.
Players are competing for a substantial total prize fund of €1,700. Beyond the main prize, there are also special awards for the highest finish and the most 180s scored during the competition. The prize breakdown is as follows:
- Winner: €500
- Runner-up: €300
- Semi-finalists: €150 each
- Quarter-finalists: €100 each
How to Follow the Action Live
Even if you can’t be there in person, you can still immerse yourself in the excitement of the Oranjebar Top Players Competition finals:
- Live Scores: Follow every throw, every leg, and every match result in real-time via dedicated darts scoring platforms like DartConnect. These platforms provide up-to-the-minute updates, allowing you to stay informed from anywhere.
- Social Media Updates: Darts Actueel will be on-site throughout the evening, providing live updates, match highlights, and exclusive insights across their social media channels. While specific video links are not provided, expect dynamic content that captures the atmosphere and key moments.
However, for the ultimate darts experience, nothing beats being there live! Admission to the Oranjebar in Mariahout on Thursday, July 9th, is completely free. Come and witness the drama, the skill, and the intensity as it unfolds.
A Rich History of Champions
The Oranjebar Top Players Competition has a storied past, with many darting legends gracing its stage. The most recent edition in 2025 saw Wesley Plaisier claim the title, defeating Gian van Veen with a dominant 6-1 performance in the final.
Notable multiple winners include Jeffrey Sparidaans and Willy van de Wiel, both of whom have lifted the trophy twice. The tournament took a hiatus between 2019 and 2024, but its return has brought renewed excitement. Below is a look at the champions and finalists from previous years:
Past Winners:
- 2011 – Willy van de Wiel
- 2012 – Willy van de Wiel
- 2013 – Benito van de Pas
- 2014 – Patrick Morelissen
- 2015 – Willem Mandigers
- 2016 – Gino Vos
- 2017 – Yoeri Duijster
- 2018 – Jeffrey Sparidaans
- 2019 – Jelle Klaasen
- 2024 – Jeffrey Sparidaans
Previous Finals:
- 2011 – Willy van de Wiel 4-0 (sets) Hermie van Orsouw
- 2012 – Willy van de Wiel 4-1 (sets) Benito van de Pas
- 2013 – Benito van de Pas 3-2 (sets) Ron Meulenkamp
- 2014 – Patrick Morelissen 5-1 Braulio Roncero
- 2015 – Willem Mandigers 8-7 Yoeri Duijster
- 2016 – Gino Vos 7-6 Yoeri Duijster
- 2017 – Yoeri Duijster 5-2 Jeffrey Sparidaans
- 2018 – Jeffrey Sparidaans 6-5 Davy van der Zande
- 2019 – Jelle Klaasen 6-2 Jeffrey Sparidaans
- 2024 – Jeffrey Sparidaans 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
- 2025 – Wesley Plaisier 6-1 Gian van Veen
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
