“I’ve decided to take a break” - Former Grand Slam semi-finalist announces surprise step back from PDC Pro Tour

Mickey Mansell has announced he is taking a break from professional darts, a decision that explains his notable absence from the preliminary rounds of the 2026 Winmau World Masters.

The Northern Irishman confirmed the move in a short social media post, drawing a line under his immediate competitive plans and signalling a pause from the PDC Pro Tour at the very start of the new season.

The timing of the announcement stood out, arriving less than a day before the preliminary rounds of the World Masters, where Mansell would ordinarily have been expected to feature based on ranking alone.

As one of the more established names on the PDC Pro Tour, Mansell’s omission from the opening stages of the Winmau World Masters immediately drew attention. In his case, however, his own words now provide clarity.

In full, Mansell wrote on social media: “I’d like to thank GMDartsManagement for their help and support over the last few years, some great memories created. I’ve decided to take a break and wish them well.”

No timeframe was attached to the announcement, and no further detail was offered regarding how long the break might last or when he might return to competition. What is clear is that the decision is not driven by ranking position or qualification criteria. Going into 2026, Mickey Mansell remains comfortably inside the top 64 of the PDC Order of Merit, a position that would normally see him involved in major televised events and qualifiers.

Mansell’s decision carries weight precisely because of the career he has built on the PDC circuit. For more than a decade, he has been one of the tour’s most consistent professionals, regularly qualifying for the sport’s biggest stages while grinding out results on the Pro Tour.

The defining moment of that journey came in 2024, when he produced the standout televised run of his career at the Grand Slam of Darts. After progressing from the group stage, Mansell defeated a series of high-profile opponents to reach the semi-finals, marking his deepest run at a televised major and one of the most significant achievements of his career.

Alongside that breakthrough, he has been a regular presence at the World Darts Championship, reached the last 16 of the World Grand Prix, and claimed a PDC Players Championship title. While he has rarely been labelled among the elite, his longevity and reliability have made him a respected figure on the circuit.

Crucially, Mansell’s statement stops short of suggesting retirement. There was no mention of relinquishing his Tour Card or stepping away permanently, only a decision to take time away from competition.

For now, that leaves his short-term future open. Whether this break proves to be a brief reset or a longer pause remains to be seen, but his absence from the World Masters marks a rare moment of quiet in a career largely defined by consistency and availability.

At the very least, it represents an unexpected early-season storyline on the PDC Pro Tour, and one that will be closely watched should Mansell choose to return later in 2026.