Record number of Dutch darters at upcoming World Darts Championships

There will be plenty of Dutch players present at the upcoming World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace. Already fifteen have qualified, which is a record but there may yet even be a few more.

The old record stands at thirteen, which was set during the 2019 World Championship. Back then, Benito van de Pas, Jan Dekker and Yordi Meeuwisse were playing at Ally Pally. Jeffrey de Graaf was still there then as a Dutchman, but now darts under a Swedish passport.

Back to the Dutch who will be there at the upcoming World Darts Championship. Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode are already sure of a spot via their place in the top-32 of the world rankings. They enter the World Championship from the second round. This could also apply to Gian van Veen and Raymond van Barneveld, although they will have to wait and see if they remain in the top-32.

Should that not succeed, they can rely on their Pro Tour ranking. Through this ranking Wessel Nijman, Jermaine Wattimena, Niels Zonneveld, Wesley Plaisier, Kevin Doets, Richard Veenstra and Chris Landman secured qualification for the World Darts Championship. Christian Kist and Alexander Merkx did so via the Challenge Tour, while Noa-Lynn van Leuven secured qualification via the Women's Series.

As mentioned, the number of Dutch World Championship participants could also increase some more in the coming weeks. On Nov. 16 is the West Europe Qualifier, where players from Andorra, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and Switzerland may compete. This tournament has regularly produced a Dutch winner in the past.

The next chance for an additional Dutch participant is at the PDC Youth World Championship final on Sunday, Nov. 24. That one will be between Gian van Veen and Jurjen van der Velde. If Van der Velde wins the final, he may also go to Alexandra Palace. If the youth world title goes to Van Veen, an extra spot goes to the Tour Card qualifying tournament because Van Veen has already qualified for the World Darts Championship.

The Tour Card qualifying tournament will take place on Monday, November 25. Here the very last starting spots for the World Darts Championship will be distributed. Depending on whether Van Veen or Van der Velde becomes youth world champion, three or four starting places will be distributed for Tour Card holders. A number of Dutch players are also fighting for their last chance to participate in the Worlds.

Michael van Gerwen

Danny Noppert

Dirk van Duijvenbode

Gian van Veen

Raymond van Barneveld

Wessel Nijman

Jermaine Wattimena

Niels Zonneveld

Wesley Plaisier

Kevin Doets

Richard Veenstra

Chris Landman

Christian Kist

Noa-Lynn van Leuven

Alexander Merkx