In a seismic shift for the darts world, rising star and world number three, Van Veen, has ended his eleven-year association with Red Dragon to join rival brand Winmau. This significant move keeps him within the Nodor Group family but signals a major step in his meteoric career. Fresh from reaching the 2026 PDC World Championship final and holding both the European and back-to-back Winmau World Youth Championship titles, Van Veen’s transition to Winmau is a natural alignment with his evolving, technically precise game, setting the stage for an even more exciting future.
After an impressive eleven-year tenure, the darts world’s number three player, Van Veen, is embarking on a new chapter, officially joining the prestigious Winmau lineup. This high-profile switch, confirmed today by Nodor Group – the parent company of both Winmau and Red Dragon – ensures Van Veen remains within the same corporate stable, but with fresh darts and an exciting roster of new teammates.
A Meteoric Rise to the Top
This transition marks a pivotal moment for a player whose ascent in the darts world has been nothing short of extraordinary. Van Veen’s remarkable journey culminated in reaching the **2026 PDC World Championship final at Alexandra Palace**. This incredible run followed two previous appearances where he had lost his opening matches, showcasing a stunning turnaround.
His performance included a breathtaking **108.28 average against Alan Soutar in round two, the highest of the entire tournament**. He then delivered dominant victories, beating **Luke Humphries 5-1 in the quarter-finals** and overcoming darts legend **Gary Anderson 6-3 in a semi-final praised for its exceptional quality**. Although Luke Littler ultimately proved too strong in the final, winning 7-1, Van Veen’s heroic display **catapulted him from tenth to third in the world rankings**.
A Champion’s Proven Pedigree
Van Veen’s success is not limited to his World Championship heroics. He has already established himself as a winner on the sport’s biggest stages:
- He is the **reigning European Champion**, having secured the title in October 2025 in Dortmund with a thrilling last-leg decider victory over Luke Humphries.
- He is also a **back-to-back PDC World Youth Champion**. Intriguingly, both of these youth titles were won under the Winmau banner.
The connection to Winmau runs deeper than just sponsorship; Van Veen secured his first **PDC Winmau World Youth Championship in 2024**, becoming the first Dutch player to do so after surviving five match darts against Jurjen van der Velde. He successfully defended this title a year later in 2025 with a convincing 6-3 win over Beau Greaves. Coincidentally, Jurjen van der Velde is now one of the talented players Van Veen will join within the Winmau ranks.
Joining the Dutch Darts Elite at Winmau
Van Veen steps into a Winmau roster already brimming with top-tier Dutch talent. The brand boasts an impressive lineup, including:
- **Michael van Gerwen** (the undisputed figurehead)
- **Danny Noppert**
- **Vincent van der Voort**
- **Jurjen van der Velde**
- **Jermaine Wattimena** (who joined in August)
Following his stunning run to the 2026 World Championship semi-finals, Van Veen has even **overtaken Michael van Gerwen as the leading Dutch player in the world rankings**. The two formidable players also partnered up for this year’s edition of the PDC World Cup of Darts.
The Perfect Alignment: Why Winmau?
The Nodor Group’s press release aptly described Van Veen’s move as a “natural alignment.” His evolving game, characterized by **technical precision, superb control, and thoughtful, considered play**, perfectly mirrors Winmau’s core identity. Van Veen himself expressed his delight at joining Winmau, looking forward to “the next exciting chapter” in his career. He also extended his gratitude, stating he “had loved representing Red Dragon” and acknowledging the brand’s “hugely significant part” in his journey to date.
This high-profile switch promises an thrilling new era for Van Veen and further solidifies Winmau’s position at the forefront of professional darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
