For Michael van Gerwen, the darts legend known as ‘Mighty Mike,’ 2025 has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and tribulations. After a grueling year marked by personal upheavals and inconsistent performances on the oche, the three-time PDC World Champion traded tungsten for sunshine, jetting off to Ibiza for a much-needed respite. There, he was spotted reveling in the island’s vibrant nightlife, sharing an unforgettable evening with world-renowned DJ Martin Garrix at the iconic Ushuaïa club. “An incredible evening at Ushuaïa,” Van Gerwen posted on Instagram, capturing the electric atmosphere of Garrix’s show, complete with a backstage tour and photos with the EDM superstar. This moment of celebration, however, comes against the backdrop of a challenging period that tested the Dutchman’s resilience both on and off the dartboard.
The 36-year-old from Boxtel, Netherlands, has long been a titan of darts, with a trophy cabinet boasting seven Premier League titles, three World Championships, and a record-setting 123.40 average in a 2016 televised match. Yet, 2025 brought setbacks that dimmed his usual dominance. On the oche, Van Gerwen reached the World Championship final in January, only to fall to teenage prodigy Luke Littler. His Premier League campaign was lackluster, failing to secure a single nightly win and missing the playoffs for only the second time in 13 years. “I don’t know what is going on but he didn’t look himself again,” Nathan Aspinall remarked after defeating him in Leeds, a sentiment echoed by critics who accused Van Gerwen of “giving up” during matches. A second-round exit to Josh Rock at the World Matchplay in July, coupled with health struggles—including jaw surgeries in 2024 and ongoing gout affecting his stance—further hampered his form. “I know I’ve had some tough periods,” Van Gerwen admitted, acknowledging the physical and mental toll.
Off the oche, personal challenges loomed larger. In May, Van Gerwen announced his separation from his wife of 11 years, Daphne, with whom he shares two children, Zoë and Mike. “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship,” he shared, withdrawing from the Dutch Darts Championship to focus on family matters. The media frenzy that followed was relentless, with tabloids hounding him at his children’s school. “All of a sudden they were at my door from RTL Boulevard, while I was picking up my kids from school,” he said, frustrated by the intrusion. “They said they happened to be in the neighbourhood—yes, of course.” His father’s cancer diagnosis added to the emotional weight, yet Van Gerwen found solace in his children. “My priorities changed the moment my kids were born,” he said, emphasizing their role as his anchor. “If you ask anyone what comes first, it’s always their children. It’s the same with me.”
Ibiza offered a chance to hit reset. Before the Garrix party, Van Gerwen had embraced family time, celebrating Zoë’s eighth birthday on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean. “Enjoying my days off with the family in Ibiza!” he captioned a post, sharing glimpses of sun-soaked moments with Zoë and Mike. Earlier in July, he attended Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival, mingling with former footballers Eljero Elia and Theo Lucius, proving his knack for balancing work and play. The Ushuaïa night, however, was a highlight, with Garrix’s pulsating beats and a star-studded lineup including Jax Jones and Oliver Heldens. “I first came to the island in 2012, and it’s felt like home ever since,” Garrix said of his decade-long residency, a sentiment Van Gerwen clearly shared as he soaked in the Balearic vibes.
Despite the festivities, Van Gerwen’s focus is shifting back to darts. Returning at the US Darts Masters in June, he declared, “Everything is kind of under control now. I have space in my head again to return to the oche. Darts at the highest level is what I love to do the most.” Seeded for most major tournaments this autumn, except the Players Championship Finals due to his No. 124 ranking in that Order of Merit, he remains third in the world. “I’m also realistic,” he said, tempering expectations. “If I thought I couldn’t do any damage in this tournament, I wouldn’t be here.” His sights are set on the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14, where he aims to reclaim his dominance.
Van Gerwen’s Ibiza escape, punctuated by his night with Garrix, reflects a man navigating life’s highs and lows with characteristic grit. As he prepares to return, the darting world awaits the resurgence of ‘Mighty Mike,’ whose passion for the game and love for his family fuel his drive to silence doubters and add to his storied legacy.
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