Everything about Raymond van Barneveld

Raymond van Barneveld, nicknamed “Barney,” is one of the most iconic darters from the Netherlands and the sport of darts in general. Born April 20, 1967, he initially played in the BDO, where he became world champion five times (in 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005). In 2006, he made the move to the PDC, where he quickly made his mark by winning the 2007 PDC World Championship after a legendary final against Phil Taylor.

Van Barneveld is considered one of the greatest darters of all time and is loved by fans for his impressive performances, including multiple titles in the Premier League Darts, UK Open, and World Cup of Darts. After a brief retirement in 2019, he returned to the PDC in 2021 and remains a respected name in the sport. His career has made the sport of darts more popular in the Netherlands and he is considered a pioneer for the sport in his country.

Name: Raymond van Barneveld
Nickname: Barney
Date of birth: April 20, 1967
Residence: The Hague
Appearance Number: Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor

Achievements
World titles: 5
TV titles: 27
Nine starters: 11
Highest average during televised tournament: 113.38 (World Cup of Darts 2018)

Raymond van Barneveld, often referred to simply as “Barney,” is one of the most influential figures in the sport of darts. With five world titles (four in the BDO and one in the PDC), he is one of the greatest darters of all time. His move from the BDO to the PDC in 2006 changed the sport, and in 2007 he immediately won the PDC World Championship by defeating Phil Taylor in an iconic final.

Van Barneveld has also won numerous other major tournaments over the years, including the Premier League Darts and the UK Open. He is considered a pioneer who took the sport of darts in the Netherlands to the next level. His impact on the sport remains great, and his return in 2021 after a brief retirement showed his undiminished passion for the game. Barney remains a beloved and respected name in the world of darts.

Raymond van Barneveld began his professional career in the BDO (British Darts Organization). His first major success came in 1998, when he won his first world title at the BDO World Championship. This success marked the beginning of a dominant period in the BDO, in which van Barneveld defended his world title in 1999 and later became world champion twice more, in 2003 and 2005. He won a total of four world titles in the BDO, making him a national hero in the Netherlands. His successes ensured the growing popularity of darts in the Netherlands, where he played an important role in developing the sport into the mainstream.

After years of success in the BDO, van Barneveld made the move to the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) in 2006 , looking for a new challenge and to measure himself against the strongest players in the world, such as Phil Taylor. The switch was immediately successful: van Barneveld won the 2006 UK Open and quickly established himself as one of the top darters within the PDC. This decision was seen as a turning point in darts, not only for van Barneveld, but also for the further professionalization of the sport.

The highlight of van Barneveld's career in the PDC soon came in 2007, when he won the World Darts Championship. In one of the most memorable finals in the history of darts, he defeated Phil Taylor 7-6 in sets after a decisive sudden-death leg. This victory made van Barneveld the second player in history to capture both the BDO and PDC world titles. This legendary victory cemented his position as one of the best darters of all time and made him a global icon in the sport of darts.

After his world title in 2007, van Barneveld remained a constant force in the PDC. He won several major tournaments, including the Las Vegas Desert Classic and the UK Open. In 2012, he won the Grand Slam of Darts, his first major televised title in five years, proving he is still among the absolute best in the world. In 2014 , he achieved one of the most prestigious victories of his career by winning the Premier League Darts. In the final, he defeated Michael van Gerwen, marking van Barneveld's first Premier League title.

In the years following his Premier League victory, van Barneveld remained active at the top of darts, although he no longer had the dominance of his earlier years. In 2018 , he scored one last major victory by winning the World Cup of Darts with Michael van Gerwen. At the end of 2019, van Barneveld announced that he would quit professional darts after a disappointing period in which he no longer achieved the expected results. His farewell was seen as the end of an era, as he was one of the most loved and respected players within the sport.

Although he had announced his retirement, van Barneveld decided to return to the PDC in 2021 . He won the Players Championship 3 that year, showing that he could still perform at the highest level. His comeback was met with enthusiasm by fans, who were happy to see him compete again against the world's top players. Although he does not have the same consistency as in his heyday, van Barneveld remains a strong and respected player.

Raymond van Barneveld has left an indelible mark on the sport of darts, both in the Netherlands and internationally. With five world titles, countless other major titles, and his contributions to the growth of the sport, he remains one of the greatest darters of all time. His legacy goes beyond his victories; he has taken the sport to new heights in the Netherlands and remains an inspiration to both young and experienced darters worldwide.

Raymond van Barneveld made an important switch from the BDO (British Darts Organization) to the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) in 2006. This transition marked a turning point in his career and in the sport of darts in general. Van Barneveld was already a multiple world champion in the BDO, where he had won four world titles, but he wanted to challenge himself further by playing against the best players in the world, including the dominant Phil Taylor.

His move was seen as a big step for darts in the Netherlands and internationally, as it strengthened competition in the PDC and the BDO lost one of its biggest stars. Van Barneveld quickly confirmed his class in the PDC by winning the 2007 PDC World Championship, defeating Taylor in an epic final. This victory established his name as one of the greatest darters of all time and brought a new dimension to his career in the PDC. Van Barneveld's switch is still considered one of the most important moments in modern darts history, as it further professionalized the sport and increased his popularity in the Netherlands and abroad.

Raymond van Barneveld has generated significant income during his impressive darts career through prize money, sponsorship deals and commercial appearances. A five-time world champion in both the BDO and the PDC, he has earned millions in prize money. His victory in the 2007 PDC World Championship alone earned him £100,000. In total, he is estimated to have earned more than £5 million in prize money during his career.

In addition to prize money, Van Barneveld also benefits from lucrative sponsorship deals, including contracts with dart manufacturers, sports brands and other commercial partners. His popularity and influence in the sport of darts, especially in the Netherlands, have earned him an important role in media appearances and publicity campaigns.

His net income varies depending on his achievements, sponsors and appearances, but for a player of his caliber, it is estimated that he has an annual income stream of several hundred thousand to millions of euros, depending on his activity in that year.

Raymond van Barneveld leads a relatively quiet private life in addition to his successful darts career. He was born in The Hague and is a proud father of three children. Van Barneveld was married to his ex-wife Silvia for many years, but in 2019 the couple announced their separation after more than 25 years of marriage. After his divorce, he began a new relationship with Julia, and the couple got engaged in 2021.