ANALYSIS: Light at the end of the tunnel for Dimitri Van den Bergh? Multiple time major winner showing signs of life after months of doubt

The situation surrounding Dimitri Van den Bergh has been a talking point in the darts world for months. Once a player who effortlessly operated at the very top, he is now locked in a battle against the clock, the rankings, and himself. The two-time major champion stands at a crossroads in his career, and 2026 threatens to become a defining year.

In the PDC world, only one thing matters: what you’ve achieved over the past two years. That system benefited Van den Bergh for a long time, but it has now turned against him. Large sums are dropping off his ranking one by one, with the most striking blow being the loss of his UK Open title, worth a hefty £110,000.

And it doesn’t stop there. Strong results at other major tournaments are also disappearing from his total: a semi-final at the World Grand Prix, a quarter-final at the World Matchplay, a third round at the World Championship, a floor title, and participation in the Grand Slam of Darts. All together, a hefty chunk off his ranking.

The consequence is obvious: for the first time since 2018, Van den Bergh has fallen out of the world’s top 32. Worse still, he is now even flirting virtually with the lower boundary of the top 64 – the crucial line for retaining a PDC Tour Card.

That decline didn’t happen by accident. The year 2025 was downright disappointing. The results didn’t come, his level visibly dipped, and the joy in his game seemed to have vanished completely. Even a two-month break to reset mentally did not bring immediate improvement.

On the oche, things went from bad to worse. His averages dropped to around 80 to 85, where in his best years he would comfortably push towards 100. Matches he once won with ease were now being lost – sometimes heavily.

Particularly painful were the defeats at the Players Championships, where he lost 6-0 twice to opponents who themselves didn’t hit exceptional levels. These are signs of a player struggling with confidence and rhythm.

The European Tour qualifiers also went awry. Yet those tournaments are crucial due to the higher prize money. But in the first seven qualifiers, Van den Bergh managed to win only one match. The lack of stage opportunities further reinforced the negative spiral.

More and more observers point to the mental aspect as the key to his problems. In darts, the difference between winning and losing is often minimal, and self-belief plays a huge role. The pressure on Van den Bergh has only increased in recent months. As a former major winner, expectations are high, yet the disappointments kept piling up. That creates a vicious cycle: less confidence leads to poorer performances, and vice versa.

Some even go so far as to suggest that a temporary step back could help him. A spell away from the Pro Tour would give him the chance to rebuild mentally and technically, without the constant pressure of results.

Yet in recent weeks, a cautious shift has been visible. At the Players Championships, Van den Bergh finally started winning matches again – and how. In his opening tie, he battled back from 0-4 and 1-5 down to win 6-5. Comebacks like that had been missing from his game for a long time, but they show his mental resilience is returning.

He also showed resilience in the next round. Against a strong opponent he took the lead, let it slip, but ultimately still came out on top. They are small signs, but particularly important at this stage of his career.

Even in a losing effort he showed character by almost overturning a large deficit. It’s precisely these kinds of displays that suggest the foundations are being rebuilt.

Perhaps even more important than the results is the fact that Van den Bergh seems to be enjoying the game again. Anyone watching his matches sees a player throwing more freely and looking less forced. That is essential. In darts, top performance rarely springs from tension or tightness. The best players combine focus with relaxation, and that balance seemed lost to him for a long time.

His own words after a recent match day speak volumes: he feels the practice sessions are starting to pay off and stresses that he still has a long way to go. That blend of realism and cautious optimism says a lot.

Despite those positive signals, the situation remains precarious. In the so-called Tour Card Race, Van den Bergh is currently outside the top 64. That means that, as things stand, he would lose his PDC Tour Card. The gap to safety is small, but that makes it even more dangerous. Every missed opportunity counts, and every early exit can be the difference at the end of the season.

The focus in the coming months must therefore be on the Pro Tour events and the European Tour qualifiers. That’s the quickest route to prize money and thus a better ranking. Qualification for major televised events currently seems out of reach, but that need not be a disaster. If he performs consistently on the floor again, he can rebuild step by step.

The coming period will be decisive. If Van den Bergh can maintain his current trajectory and structurally lift his level, a return to the top 64 is absolutely achievable. But if the performances dip again, he risks a scenario in which he loses his PDC Tour Card – with all the consequences that entails.

One thing is clear: the talent hasn’t gone. The question is whether he can tap into it again when it truly matters. After months of doubt and disappointment, there is a glimmer of hope. The negative spiral seems broken, confidence is growing, and results are slowly following.

Caution is still advised. In darts, things can change quickly – in both directions. One good week doesn’t make a comeback, but it can be the start of something new. For Dimitri Van den Bergh, the brief is clear: keep building, keep believing, and above all keep enjoying the game. Only then can he steer his career back on course.

The coming months will show whether this resurgence is the start of a true revival, or just a short-lived surge in a difficult season.