Barney breaks through barrier: will there be room in PDC monopoly for further restriction removal?
WSDT
Raymond van Barneveld's return to the World Seniors Darts stage last week caused quite a stir as well as enthusiasm in the darts world. The five-time world champion unexpectedly received permission from the PDC to participate in the televised tournament World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions, which takes place Sunday in Portsmouth. Jason Francis, co-owner of World Seniors Darts, sees this as a possible turning point.
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Van Barneveld's participation in the World Seniors tournament is remarkable, given the PDC's strict rules that usually prevent active players from participating in external competitions. Nevertheless, an exception was made in this case. The event, which includes former Tour Card holders Simon Whitlock, Mervyn King and Steve Beaton, will be broadcast on Pluto TV.
According to Francis, this is exactly what the sport benefits from. Through the senior circuit, icons get the chance to share the stage again, even as they head toward their darts retirement. “We’ve got a World Championship coming up in February,” said Francis in an interview with the Daily Mirror.
“I would love to see Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic, Barney… there are other darts players over 45 who would think, ‘I wouldn’t mind putting a World Seniors Championship on my CV and I would mind winning it at the Circus Tavern.’”
Yet it remains uncertain whether this wish will materialize any time soon. The permission for Van Barneveld appears to be an exception for now. Francis argues that the key lies not with PDC chief Matt Porter, with whom he says he maintains open and constructive contact, but with Matchroom, Barry Hearn's sports empire, which oversees both the PDC and the World Snooker Tour.
“We’ve been very restricted in the players we can use. I’ve had an ongoing dialogue with Matt Porter and have invited him to lift all restrictions on all players. I don’t know Matt personally. I understand he does an incredibly good job and is very well respected in how he runs the PDC.
Under the current arrangement, active PDC players must individually apply for permission to compete in a Seniors event. According to Francis, that creates neither clarity nor transparency.
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“He hasn’t agreed to lift all of the restrictions. He has reminded players they are free to apply for permission. What that means, I don’t know. In this case, Raymond van Barneveld has been given permission to play in a World Seniors event."
The question now is whether this decision sets a precedent. Francis hopes Van Barneveld will open the door for others. According to him, the appeal of the World Seniors tour lies not only in nostalgia, but also in sporting relevance. Players with rich careers who are still reaching a high level deserve a stage, according to him.
“Darts fans are the winners here. They have another tournament where they can see a top PDC player play in another broadcast event. I hope we will soon be in a world where every player is free to play in anything they want.
👑 The stage is set for a day of pure Darting royalty 🎯@SeniorsDarts - Champion of Champions
— MODUS Super Series (@MSSdarts) June 25, 2025
📅 June 29th | 📍 The Live Lounge
Legends collide:
🇳🇱 Raymond van Barneveld
😎 Steve Beaton
👑 Mervyn King
🧙♂️ Simon Whitlock
and many more! 👀
Watch the WSD 'Champion of Champions'… pic.twitter.com/gpVx1wAb6e
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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- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026