Michael van Gerwen, one of darts’ most decorated and charismatic figures, has been forced to step away from the oche for a second consecutive event, dealing a blow to fans eager to see the Dutch superstar in action during the early weeks of the 2026 season.
The three-time world champion first withdrew from Night Three of the BetMGM Premier League Darts in Glasgow on Thursday, February 19. Scheduled to face reigning world champion Luke Littler in the quarter-finals at the OVO Hydro, van Gerwen pulled out due to illness. The PDC confirmed the news with a statement: “Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from Thursday’s BetMGM Premier League action in Glasgow due to illness. The Dutchman had been hoping to continue his terrific start to the new season, after winning Night One in Newcastle before finishing runner-up to Gerwyn Price on Night Two in Antwerp. However, the seven-time Premier League champion has been ruled out of Night Three at the OVO Hydro tonight due to a medical issue.”
Van Gerwen himself addressed fans directly on social media, posting: “Sorry Glasgow. Unfortunately I had to withdraw from the Premier League tonight.” His absence handed Littler an automatic bye into the semi-finals, sparing the young Englishman an early high-stakes clash against one of the sport’s heavyweights. Despite the setback, van Gerwen had started the Premier League strongly, topping the table after victories and strong performances in the opening two nights.
The disappointment deepened just one day later when the PDC announced that van Gerwen would also miss this weekend’s SUPERBET Poland Darts Open, the inaugural event of the 2026 European Tour season running from February 20-22 in Kraków. A PDC statement read: “Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen have withdrawn from this weekend’s SUPERBET Poland Darts Open due to medical reasons.” Van Gerwen’s withdrawal came on Friday morning, with officials noting he had been unable to recover from the medical issue that sidelined him in Glasgow.
Fellow Premier League competitor Gerwyn Price also pulled out of the Poland event for medical reasons following his participation in the Glasgow night. To fill the gaps in the 48-player field, Michael Smith replaced Price, while Callan Rydz stepped in for van Gerwen. The tournament proceeds with top seeds like Littler and Luke Humphries still in contention for the £35,000 top prize in a boosted £230,000 prize fund.
Van Gerwen’s back-to-back absences come at a frustrating time. The 36-year-old, known as “The Green Machine,” has long been a dominant force with multiple world titles, Premier League crowns, and countless major victories. His explosive scoring, clinical finishing, and theatrical celebrations make him a fan favorite, and his presence always elevates the drama on stage. Having shown promising form early in 2026—claiming the Newcastle title and reaching the Antwerp final—many anticipated he would build momentum heading into the European Tour and beyond.
The nature of the “medical reasons” and “illness” has not been detailed publicly, leaving supporters to wish the Dutch legend a swift recovery. In professional darts, where players often push through minor ailments to compete in high-pressure environments, these withdrawals highlight the physical and mental toll of the demanding schedule. With the Premier League continuing its grueling 16-night format and the European Tour offering valuable ranking points and prize money, staying healthy is crucial for contenders aiming to challenge for year-end honors.
Fans on social media expressed disappointment, with some criticizing the Premier League’s format in light of the withdrawal, while others sent well-wishes to van Gerwen. His no-show in Glasgow already sparked debate, and the second pull-out amplifies concerns about his early-season trajectory. However, van Gerwen’s history of resilience suggests he could return stronger once recovered, ready to reclaim his spot among the elite.
As the Poland Darts Open unfolds in Kraków without two big names, the spotlight shifts to emerging talents and other established stars to seize the opportunity. For van Gerwen, the priority now is full recuperation, ensuring he’s back throwing arrows—and entertaining crowds—with his trademark intensity soon. Darts fans everywhere will be hoping “MVG” makes a quick return to the stage where he has so often thrilled.
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