"I believe I can make a big impact": Wessel Nijman looks to translate ProTour dominance into big stage brilliance
PDCSunday, 19 July 2026 at 13:54
Wessel Nijman begins his second World Matchplay campaign on Sunday evening. The Dutchman faces a stern first-round test against Dave Chisnall, but heads to the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool brimming with confidence after an outstanding season.
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Nijman is enjoying the best year of his career. In the opening months of the 2026 season, the 25-year-old Dutchman claimed no fewer than eight ProTour titles, a feat previously achieved in a single calendar year only by Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright. Only Luke Littler has earned more prize money this season, with Littler collecting £272,500 compared to Nijman's £265,500.
Even Nijman admits he never expected his campaign to be so successful, as he explained in a preview with PDC. “I did not expect to win this many titles, especially two European Tour titles as well," he said.
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His excellent results have seen him climb from 29th to 14th in the world rankings since the start of the year. According to Nijman, that success has also transformed his confidence on the oche.
“My confidence is very high, not only for the World Matchplay but for the next six months."
Can Wessel Nijman translate his strong form to the majors?
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The World Matchplay is also one of Nijman's favourite tournaments on the darts calendar. He believes the unique atmosphere inside the Winter Gardens sets it apart from every other event. “I think the Winter Gardens in Blackpool is the best venue we have. The venue itself is very special, the fans are fantastic, and it’s so hard to qualify for an event like this."
Nijman made his debut on the prestigious stage last year, and the experience only left him wanting more. “I enjoyed it very much last year, and I’m looking forward to playing here again. I believe I can make a big impact.”
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.
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