Despite the absence of Dutch players in the Premier League play-offs for a second consecutive year, the world of Dutch darts is experiencing an incredible resurgence. This period has seen a remarkable wave of success, with both established stars and a new generation of talent securing numerous titles across various PDC and WDF tours. From Wessel Nijman’s dominant run on the Pro Tour and Euro Tour to maiden wins for Kevin Doets and Levy Frauenfelder, and significant victories for legends like Aileen de Graaf and the return of Benito van de Pas, Dutch darts is proving its depth and strength, promising a very bright future for the sport.
PDC Pro Tour & Euro Tour: A Flood of Orange Success
While the Premier League spotlight might have missed Dutch talent, the wider professional circuit has been awash with orange. The last few months have been anything but disappointing for Dutch darts.
Wessel Nijman’s Unstoppable Rise
- Wessel Nijman has had a truly phenomenal start to 2026. He followed his initial Pro Tour title with a second, then a third, fourth, and even a fifth Players Championship victory!
- Beyond the floor tournaments, Nijman also secured his maiden Euro Tour title at the European Darts Trophy in Göttingen. This brings his tally to an incredible six PDC ranking titles already in 2026!
Mighty Mike’s Flashes of Brilliance
Even without a Premier League play-off spot, Michael van Gerwen (MVG) showed glimpses of his legendary form. He defeated fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in an all-Dutch final at Players Championship 15. This victory was highlighted by an insane performance in the semi-finals, where he averaged over 122! While consistency remains a target, at times, it looks like ‘Mighty Mike’ is truly getting back to his best.
Kevin Doets’ Breakthrough Season
Another significant achievement came from Kevin Doets, who won his maiden PDC ranking title. In the same remarkable week, he reached his first Euro Tour final at the Austrian Darts Open. Although he narrowly lost 8-6 to Josh Rock in a high-quality final, Doets’ performance marked him as a rising force.
Nurturing Tomorrow’s Stars: PDC Development & Challenge Tours
The future of Dutch darts looks incredibly promising, thanks to strong performances on the feeder tours:
- On the PDC Challenge Tour, Levy Frauenfelder, brother-in-law of Gian van Veen, secured his maiden PDC title. This impressive win has already earned him a debut on the PDC Pro Tour.
- The PDC Development Tour has seen Jurjen van der Velde pick up two titles, starting his season strongly. Angelo Balsamo also reached his second final on the same circuit, showcasing the depth of young talent.
The Return of Legends and WDF Dominance
Beyond the PDC, Dutch players are making waves in the WDF and other circuits:
- Benito van de Pas, affectionately known as ‘Big Ben’, made a triumphant return to the international darts circuit. In his Portsmouth comeback at the MODUS Super Series, he managed to reach Finals Night, signaling his intent to climb back to the top.
- Moreno Blom has continued his excellent form, winning his fifth and sixth career WDF ranking titles. These successes bring him closer to a coveted return to the Lakeside World Championship.
- Anca Zijlstra broke a two-year title drought, winning her first WDF ranking titles. She achieved a double victory, defeating Paula Jacklin in the finals of both the Northern Ireland Open and the Northern Ireland Matchplay.
- Corné Groeneveld (‘Greenfield’) also claimed two WDF ranking titles in one weekend, successfully defending his titles at the Faroe Islands Open and Torshavn Open.
- The WDF Estonia Open saw two more Dutch winners: former PDC tour card holder Mike van Duivenbode and the legendary Aileen de Graaf. De Graaf was particularly dominant, achieving a double victory by also winning the Tallinn Open!
- Aileen de Graaf continued her exceptional form, winning her third WDF ranking title of the year in May. She defeated none other than World Champion Deta Hedman 5-4 in the final of the Denmark Masters.
NDB National Rankings: Local Heroes Shine Bright
The NDB Dutch national rankings have also been bustling with activity, leading up to the final Dutch National Championship for the 2025/2026 season:
- Danny van Trijp secured his maiden NDB ranking title in March.
- Former Lakeside participant Fabian Roosenbrand returned to the winner’s circle with a victory in event eight.
- Maikel Verberk followed suit, winning his first senior NDB ranking title in the ninth event.
- Finally, Berry van Peer picked up his first title of the season in event ten.
This period truly highlights the immense talent and depth within Dutch darts, from global superstars to emerging prodigies and seasoned campaigners across all levels of the sport.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
