Former darts world champion joins rival tour after accepting wildcard | Other | Sport

Raymond van Barneveld has surprisingly been granted entry into the World Seniors Champion of Champions. His switch prompts uncertainty over the former world champion’s future on the PDC Tour.

Darts’ governing body does not usually allow players to compete in televised events that are not under their jurisdiction. However, Van Barneveld appears to have crossed the divide after being announced as a participant in the World Seniors Champion of Champions event, which takes place in Portsmouth on June 29. It remains to be seen whether the 58-year-old has handed in his PDC Tour card to take part, or whether he has been granted an exemption.

A statement by World Seniors Darts read: “World Seniors Darts can confirm that the final wildcard invite for the 2025 BetGoodwin Champion of Champions has been accepted by Raymond van Barneveld. The five-time World Champion will be part of the 12-player field on Sunday, June 29, at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth.”

Van Barneveld will compete alongside the likes of former PDC stars Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King.

“I am looking forward to playing in this event,” the Dutchman added. “The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I’m looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era.

“I’m not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament.

“To have the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who have not long come off the Professional Tour, and then Seniors World Champions like John (Henderson), Robert (Thornton), and Ross (Montgomery) also playing, it’s going to be a real battle out there to take the title.

“I can’t wait for the draw. Richie Burnett can still play to a high standard, and Martin Adams is rock-solid too. They would be two special games, but anyone in this field will be a good test for me. They are all world-class dart players. The fire still burns for me. I’m used to winning tournaments wherever I have played, and it would be very special for me if I could lift a Seniors TV title too.”

Van Barneveld won the PDC World Championship in 2007. In a glittering career at the top of the sport, he also won two UK Opens, the Premier League, a Grand Slam, and the Desert Classic.

Jason Francis, the chairman of World Seniors Snooker, who follow similar rules to darts, believes Van Barneveld has followed the correct regulations. Francis wrote on X: “RVB followed the correct procedures and permission was granted. It’s all good.”