Dimitri Van den Bergh suffers latest setback, withdraws from Players Championship 23 and 24 for medical reasons
PDCFriday, 03 July 2026 at 08:56
Dimitri Van den Bergh will not be in action next week at the Players Championship events in Leicester. The Belgian darter has withdrawn from both Players Championship 23 and Players Championship 24 for medical reasons. The former World Matchplay champion announced this via his official Facebook page.
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In a brief message, Van den Bergh stated he has to take a step back for the time being. “Dear fans, Dimitri will not participate in the upcoming Players Championships for medical reasons. Everything is being monitored and assessed behind the scenes. Thank you all for the support in recent weeks! It is appreciated!”, the statement read.
The exact nature of the medical issues has not been disclosed. What is clear, however, is that the withdrawal is another setback for the 31-year-old Belgian, who had seemed to be cautiously finding his way back up in recent months.
Cautious signs of recovery
After a difficult first half of the season, Van den Bergh worked hard on his game. The Antwerp native decided to adjust his throw and invested a lot of time on the practice board to bring more stability into his play. Those efforts began to pay off. At the Players Championships he started picking up wins again and regularly posted solid to good averages.
That positive trend sparked optimism heading into the World Cup of Darts, where Van den Bergh defended Belgian colors alongside Mike De Decker. Expectations were high, but the tournament in Frankfurt ended in disappointment.
Belgium bowed out early after a defeat to defending champions Northern Ireland. Van den Bergh also endured a particularly difficult match, stuck on averages of just 68 and 72 points. As a result, he could not build on the upward curve he had set in motion in the preceding weeks.
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Success also eluded him on the Pro Tour
After the World Cup, Van den Bergh returned to the Pro Tour for Players Championship 21 and 22. He was unable to turn the tide there either. On both occasions his tournament ended in the first round, meaning valuable prize money once again slipped away.
The new withdrawal from the Players Championships in Leicester means the Belgian is missing more important opportunities. The floor tournaments not only offer ranking points and prize money, but they also serve as a key barometer for the major televised events later in the year.
Dimitri Van den Bergh in action at the World Cup of Darts alongside Mike De Decker
Implications for the World Championship race
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Missing two Players Championship events could have major consequences for Van den Bergh’s position on the world rankings. The Belgian currently sits 39th on the PDC Order of Merit, leaving him in a vulnerable spot.
The ProTour Order of Merit also plays a crucial role in World Championship qualification. Because Van den Bergh cannot earn prize money at the next two events, rivals will have the chance to pull further clear or even overtake him.
That makes the task in the remaining months of the season considerably tougher. With more Players Championships and European Tour events still on the schedule, Van den Bergh will have ample opportunities later this year to improve his position, but the margin is getting smaller. In the Tour Card race, Van den Bergh is currently only 63rd, with only the top 64 retaining their Tour Card for next year.
Hoping to return at the end of July
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For now, the Belgian appears fully focused on his recovery. Under the current plan, Van den Bergh hopes to return at the end of July at Players Championship 25 and 26. Whether that happens will depend on his medical condition and how his recovery progresses.
For Belgium’s number one, health clearly comes first. Only when he is fully fit will he return to the PDC circuit. The coming weeks will show whether Van den Bergh can recover in time to chase down the competition and keep his World Championship hopes alive.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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