Once a dazzling force on the darts circuit, ‘The Dream Maker’ Dmitri Van den Bergh is currently enduring a career-defining slump. After a period marked by skipped events and disappointing performances in 2025, his form has plummeted further in early 2026, characterized by alarmingly low averages and a string of early exits from crucial tournaments. From a major title winner just over a year ago to struggling against lower-ranked players, the Belgian’s recent struggles have led to a heartfelt social media statement, leaving fans to wonder if this challenging phase signals a potential end to his illustrious career, or if a much-needed break could reignite his spark.
A Steep Decline Since Mid-2024 Glory
Dmitri Van den Bergh, a former UK Open champion and Players Championship title winner in June 2024, has seen a drastic drop in his performance levels. Known for his vibrant personality and ability to hit high averages when it mattered most, ‘The Dream Maker’ has struggled to find his rhythm. Over the last twelve months, his average has fallen to a disappointing 87.53, a stark contrast to the 98+ averages he consistently produced in his prime. Despite once boasting a highest-ever TV average of 114.85 and still ranking 25th on the PDC Order of Merit, his current form simply isn’t clicking.
The Troubled Start to 2026
The new year brought no respite for Van den Bergh. His 2026 campaign kicked off with a crushing first-round defeat against Darren Beveridge at the PDC World Darts Championship, setting a somber tone for the months to follow.
Winmau World Masters Qualification Woes
His attempt to qualify for the Winmau World Masters highlighted his struggles:
- He secured a 3-2 win over Danny van Trijp, but with an uncharacteristically low average of just 83.25.
- The very next game, he lost 3-1 to fellow Belgian Kim Huybrechts, despite a slightly improved 90.85 average, officially missing out on the first major of the year.
A Pro Tour Season Plagued by Poor Form
The Pro Tour has been a particularly challenging arena for Van den Bergh, with a series of results that underscore his current crisis.
Flashes of Hope, Quickly Extinguished
- Players Championship 1 (PC1): A fleeting moment of brilliance saw him defeat Niels Zonneveld 6-5 with an impressive 102.83 average – his first over 100 in more than a year. However, this was short-lived, as he then lost 6-3 to Jack Tweddell with a 94.83 average.
- Players Championship 2 (PC2): The next day brought a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Shane McGuirk, where Van den Bergh averaged a shocking 75, his lowest since a 2025 UK Open loss.
- European Tour Qualifiers: He subsequently failed to qualify for both European Tour events, winning only one game across them and averaging no more than 85.78. His biggest loss came against Connor Scutt, a 6-1 defeat with a dismal 76.87 average.
The Nightmare Continues in Wigan
Hopes for a fresh start in a new week at the Pro Tour in Wigan were quickly dashed:
- Players Championship 3 (PC3): He suffered another devastating 6-0 loss in his opening game against world number 65, Karel Sedlacek. Van den Bergh averaged a mere 76.61 and managed only two attempts at a double, despite Sedlacek’s own modest 86 average.
- Players Championship 4 (PC4): The following day, his woes continued with another first-round exit, losing 6-3 to Jack Tweddell with an 88.84 average.
An Emotional Plea and the Road Ahead
Following his string of defeats, Dmitri Van den Bergh took to social media to share an emotional statement, expressing his deep frustration and disappointment with his current form. While the exact words aren’t available here, the sentiment conveyed a raw honesty about his struggles and the emotional toll they are taking.
It’s truly heartbreaking for darts fans to witness an icon of the game grappling with such a prolonged period of adversity, especially given Van den Bergh’s usually vibrant and charismatic personality. Many, including this writer, hope that ‘The Dream Maker’ finds a way to bounce back from this extended tough period, even if it means taking a substantial break from darts to rediscover his formidable talent. The question looms: is this the beginning of the end, or merely a challenging chapter before a triumphant return?
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
