The high-stakes world of professional darts delivers another tense storyline as Belgian star Dimitri Van den Bergh faces a genuine threat to his long-held PDC Tour Card. Once a dominant force ranked as high as world number 5 and a two-time major winner, the 31-year-old “Dreammaker” is now battling alarming form dips that could see him drop out of the top 64 on the Order of Merit, the cutoff that secures a player’s professional status for the following year.
Van den Bergh has been a fixture on the PDC circuit since earning his Tour Card in 2013. His resume boasts impressive highlights, including a triumphant run to the 2024 UK Open title where he edged out Luke Humphries in a thrilling final, pocketing £110,000 in prize money. He also claimed the World Matchplay crown earlier in his career, represented Belgium in eight World Cup of Darts campaigns—reaching the semi-finals four times—and featured in the Premier League Darts in 2021 and 2023. These achievements cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s most talented and charismatic players, known for his flair and ability to produce magic on the big stage.
However, the past 12 to 18 months have painted a starkly different picture. In 2025, Van den Bergh endured a challenging period marked by failure to qualify for five major televised tournaments. He took a two-month break from the sport for what he described as a “mental reset,” returning but struggling to regain consistency. The struggles continued into the current season: a shocking first-round exit at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, where he was whitewashed 3-0 by qualifier Darren Beveridge—an opponent largely unknown on the big stage. In that defeat, Van den Bergh openly admitted a lack of self-belief hampered his performance.
The issues have persisted on the Pro Tour. This season alone, he has suffered five consecutive first-round defeats at Players Championship events, with recent outings showing averages dipping into the 70s on multiple occasions and only two wins recorded so far. Commentators have noted visible problems with his throw, describing it as erratic and lacking the precision that once defined his game.
These struggles come at a critical juncture because PDC rankings are based on a rolling two-year prize money total from ranking events. Van den Bergh is currently sitting at 26th on the Order of Merit, but a massive £110,000 from his 2024 UK Open victory—representing over 32 percent of his total ranking money—is due to drop off soon. Without replacing it with strong performances, his position is precarious. Former professional Matt Edgar, analyzing the situation ahead of the UK Open, didn’t mince words: “There is £110,000 due to come off the Order of Merit for Dimitri Van den Bergh. He can genuinely lose his Tour Card this year if things go against him. The way he is playing at the moment, you wouldn’t suggest he is going to pick up the prize money to make himself any safer. He is due to drop even further—estimating here coming down towards the 38–40 position—which means he won’t be seeded for the World Championship. He is not in the World Matchplay or the World Grand Prix, so money is coming off all year for Dimitri van den Bergh.”
Edgar, who recently commentated on one of Van den Bergh’s Pro Tour matches, added a stark warning: “He is in serious trouble. I recently commentated on Dimitri van den Bergh on the ProTour. The throw was pretty much all over the place. It wasn’t quite there, so there are worrying signs for Dimitri Van den Bergh.”
The timing couldn’t be more pivotal, with the UK Open kicking off at Butlins Minehead from March 6-8, 2026. As a top-32 ranked player, Van den Bergh receives a bye into the fourth round, offering a slight advantage and a chance to build momentum in the tournament’s unpredictable, redraw-after-each-round format. A deep run here—potentially reclaiming or approaching the £110,000 prize from two years ago—could stabilize his ranking and buy him breathing room. But with early-season form suggesting vulnerability, the pressure is immense. A poor showing would accelerate his slide, potentially pushing him toward the dreaded drop below 64th and forcing a return to Q-School to fight for his professional future.
The darts community watches with concern, hoping the talented Belgian can rediscover the self-belief and consistency that once propelled him to the top. For a player who has thrilled fans with his highs, this moment represents a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in a sport where every dart counts. Van den Bergh’s UK Open campaign isn’t just about silverware—it’s a battle for survival on the tour he has graced for over a decade.
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