“I want to try and win majors at some point. I’m not just here to take part” – Darren Beveridge thrashes Van den Bergh on dream debut at Alexandra Palace

Darren Beveridge was still visibly shaking with adrenaline after his 3-0 victory over Dimitri van den Bergh in the opening round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship. The Scot, nicknamed Ice Cold, was making his debut at Alexandra Palace and did so in impressive fashion. With a mature and controlled performance, he claimed his first World Championship win and took a major step towards retaining his PDC Tour Card. The scale of what he had just achieved, however, had yet to fully sink in.

“It’s not really sunk in yet,” Beveridge said shortly after his victory. “It’ll probably hit me later on when I get back to bed and my heartbeat stops racing. But no, I’m absolutely over the moon.”

With the nickname Ice Cold, Beveridge appeared to live up to his reputation. Calm on the outside and seemingly unfazed by the enormity of the occasion, he played as if it were a routine ProTour evening. He admitted, though, that appearances were deceptive.

“I’m absolutely dripping, yeah,” he said with a smile. “I know I’ve got that in me. I was just trying to keep myself composed in the players room and stuff. I know if I play well, I can win games like that. That’s always what I try to do, really.”

That approach paid off. Beveridge scored consistently, remained composed on the doubles and never allowed the match to drift away from him. It was a performance built on form rather than surprise.

The Scot has made visible strides in recent months. Strong results on the ProTour had already hinted at progress, and his World Championship debut confirmed it.

“I would say so, yeah,” Beveridge said when asked if he had taken his game to a new level. “My first year was more about finding my feet and trying to find my form. My second year sort of came good. I managed to qualify for a European Tour and the Players Championship Finals, and this is my first time on this stage.”

That progress gave him belief heading into the tournament. His reward is a second round meeting with Madars Razma, a seasoned opponent but one Beveridge believes he can challenge.

“One hundred percent, yeah,” he said. “Madars didn’t exactly play great in his first game, so I know if I go up there and replicate what I did tonight, I’ve definitely got a chance.”

At the same time, he was quick to keep his feet on the ground.

“His last game wasn’t great, but I know Madars is a lot better than that,” Beveridge added. “I’m not looking into it too much. If I play well, I’ve got a chance. If he plays well, we’ll see what happens.”

The win meant more than simply progressing to the next round. For Beveridge, it represented the culmination of a long and demanding journey. From the Super Series through Q School to earning and fighting to retain a PDC Tour Card, the road has been filled with sacrifices.

“Mentally exhausting, to be honest,” he said. “I’ve put a lot of effort into this. My family know what it’s been like. I’ve practised a lot and I even gave up my job at one point. So for me to win a game on that stage means the world.”

With his Tour Card still under threat, a strong World Championship run could prove decisive. Beveridge, though, is trying not to let that pressure dominate his thinking.

“It’s simple,” he said. “If I win games, I keep my tour card. If I don’t, I won’t. I’m just taking it a game at a time and whatever happens, happens.”

He believes he is far better prepared now than when he first entered the professional ranks.

“A million percent, yeah,” he said. “The first time was just about getting the card in the first place. Once you’ve got it, you’ve then got to learn your trade on the ProTour. Getting the card is the easy part. Keeping it is the hard part.”

Walking out at Alexandra Palace was a moment Beveridge will never forget.

“It’s very surreal,” he said. “It’s a childhood dream of mine. It’s still beyond words, really.”

As a Scot, he follows in the footsteps of world champions Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, figures who continue to inspire him.

“One hundred percent,” Beveridge said. “Gary flies the flag for Scotland at the minute. If I can play well and follow in his footsteps, I’m going in the right direction. I’m not saying I’m going to win two world titles, but following that path would be nice.”

He also sees Scottish darts as being in a strong place more broadly and wants to establish himself as part of that picture.

“Massively,” he said. “I’m not trying to be a journeyman. I want to make a career out of this and try to win majors at some point. I’m not just here to take part.”

On the ProTour, Beveridge regularly finds himself alongside established names such as Gary Anderson, Ian White and Cameron Menzies, an environment he feels has accelerated his development.

“Massively,” he said. “You talk to Whitey and he explains what he’s done in his career and how he got there. Gary sits at a table all day, doesn’t practice, then gets up and wins ProTours, so you can’t really look at him for practice advice. But just getting pointers on how to deal with situations definitely helps.”

During his match with Van den Bergh, it was clear his opponent was struggling. Beveridge refused to be drawn into that.

“You’ve just got to forget about it,” he said. “I’ve got a job to do. I’m not worrying about what Dimitri is doing. I’ve got legs to win and darts to throw. I’m just at my table, drinking my water and trying to compose myself.”

That same mindset will carry into his next match.

“Just taking it a game at a time,” he said.

One thing, however, is already clear. Darren Beveridge did not come to Alexandra Palace simply to make up the numbers.

“I want to make a career out of this,” he said. “I want to try and win majors at some point. I’m not just here to take part.”