Chris Dobey wins at Wembley as Van Gerwen suffers more pre-World Darts Championship disappointment

Chris Dobey capped off a strong night of MODUS darts at Wembley’s Boxpark by defeating Michael van Gerwen 6–2, adding to the Dutchman’s increasingly shaky run of exhibition results in the final days before the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship.

Held inside the events venue attached to the iconic Wembley Stadium complex, the night featured a string of showcase matches between headline names — but it was Dobey who stole the spotlight. He opened with a 3–1 victory over Simon Whitlock and closed the evening in commanding style against Van Gerwen.

Van Gerwen had earlier edged Wayne Mardle 3–2, but when he returned to face Dobey he was well off the pace. It continued a difficult 48 hours for the three-time World Champion, who also lost twice the previous night in Norwich — first to Luke Littler and then to Karel Sedlacek in a challenge match.

Elsewhere at Wembley, English teenager Jayden Walker impressed by beating Peter Wright 3–2, though Wright bounced back with a 5–0 whitewash of Whitlock later in the evening.

This stretch of the calendar is packed with exhibition nights, used by many top players to stay sharp while enjoying more relaxed match conditions. They offer a blend of competitive rhythm, fan engagement, and a useful payday — all without the pressure of the tour.

For Dobey, Wembley marked another encouraging outing heading into the festive showpiece. For Van Gerwen, it was another reminder that his pre-tournament form remains far from settled.