Prize money at this year’s Darts World Championship has been increased significantly. The new champion will take home a staggering £1 million. Yet despite that eye-watering prize pot, some players are still “just” doing their regular day jobs — even while the tournament is being played.

For Raymond van Barneveld, the Darts World Championship turned into a nightmare. The five-time world champion suffered a hopeless first-round defeat and then spoke openly about a lack of motivation. Money now appears to be his only reason for carrying on, sport marketer Chris Woerts suggests as well.

There was little joy for top dart player Callan Rydz after he beat Daryl Gurney in a brilliant match at the Darts World Championship. At the time, the Englishman’s grandfather was fighting for his life. A few days later, the news turned grim: Rydz’s grandfather has passed away.

Wesley Plaisier has delivered the biggest Dutch upset so far at the Darts World Championship. The 35-year-old threw a 3–0 sets win over former world champion Gerwyn Price. Afterwards, Plaisier received a flood of congratulations — including from a much-talked-about footballer. “Of course I’ve been disappointed in him at times, ” he said.

Next year’s Darts World Championship (2026–27) will feature an even more diverse field. While there was room for just one African player this year, the next edition will add an extra qualifier from the continent.

After Christmas, the Darts World Championship resumes with 32 top players still in the running — including six Dutchmen. That also means nine Dutch players have already been knocked out. How much prize money did they take home? And how much is still up for grabs for the Dutch players who remain in the tournament?

It was one of the most nail-biting matches at the Darts World Championship so far: the clash between Danny Noppert and Justin Hood. The relatively unknown Englishman kept his nerve superbly in the closing stages, but earlier in the match he couldn’t control himself. He produced a “curious” moment, leaving British commentators shocked.

Michael van Gerwen may have wobbled in the opening round of the World Darts Championship, but on Tuesday he showed he still has to be taken seriously. The three-time world champion produced a strong performance against William O’Connor — much to the delight of Vincent van der Voort. “This is how you want to see him, ” the former pro dart player said on the Sportnieuws.nl podcast WK Darts Draait Door.

The Dutch are doing well at the Darts World Championship. With Christmas approaching, no fewer than six Dutch players will be back on stage at Ally Pally in the days between the holidays. Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen have made an excellent impression so far — as has Luke Littler. Check the remaining schedule and all results from the Darts World Championship here.

Michael van Gerwen has made it crystal clear what he thinks of rival Peter Wright, using words that left little room for interpretation. The Dutchman was set to face the two-time world champion in the third round, but Wright lost in sensational fashion to German debutant Arno Merk. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, cruised through his own match and had a pointed message for his old rival.

It doesn’t happen often, but Michael van Gerwen has switched equipment again at the World Darts Championship. The Dutchman had no trouble at all with William O’Connor in the second round and revealed afterwards that he’d made a change. Fans will see more of it in the third round.