Raymond van Barneveld will return to the Alexandra Palace for the upcoming World Darts

Raymond van Barneveld will return to the Alexandra Palace for the upcoming World Darts Championship, securing one of the 128 available spots during the season-ending Pro Tour event. The 59-year-old Dutchman confirmed his place by defeating compatriot Jimmy van Schie at the 34th Players Championship of the year, an achievement that establishes an outright record for tournament appearances, Welt reported.

Van Barneveld, a five-time world champion with titles in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007, will surpass the record of 33 appearances previously shared with the retired English player Steve Beaton. The tournament is scheduled to begin in London on December 11.

A veteran presence at the Alexandra Palace

The qualification is an important achievement for the veteran from The Hague. Had he not retired briefly following an opening-round exit in 2020 against Darin Young, his total participation count would be even higher, as he missed the 2021 tournament before returning to the tour. His professional debut occurred in 1991 at the British Darts Organisation (BDO).

At 59 years old, van Barneveld is expected to be the oldest competitor in the field. Last year, the tournament featured Mervyn King, also 59, and 71-year-old Paul Lim, though neither has secured a spot for this year’s edition.

The impact of an icon

Beyond the statistics, van Barneveld is regarded as a true sports icon whose fame extends far beyond the darts world. He is credited with igniting a massive wave of enthusiasm for the sport in the Netherlands. His 1998 world title served as a historical turning point that transformed the sport from a pub pastime into a phenomenon followed by millions of Dutch viewers. His subsequent PDC switch and his 2007 world championship final against Phil Taylor remain among the most significant moments in the country’s sporting history.

Mixed results for German contenders

The final Pro Tour event produced contrasting outcomes for the German contingent. Ricardo Pietreczko reached the round of 16 but fell short of qualifying for the Players Championship Finals, despite maintaining a 105-point average in his loss to Luke Humphries. Despite that narrow miss, Pietreczko has already locked in his spot for the World Championship for the fourth time. He required only one more victory to perfect his qualification for the finals.

German representation at the Alexandra Palace is expected to be historically high this year, with estimates suggesting between nine and 13 participants could qualify. The final tune-up tournament in Minehead, scheduled for November 27, will feature German players Gabriel Clemens, Max Hopp, Niko Springer, and Martin Schindler.

The final qualifying path for prominent names

Several high-profile players remain on the outside looking in following the conclusion of the Pro Tour rankings. Major winner Dimitri van den Bergh, along with Ryan Meikle, Wesley Plaisier, and Nick Kenny, failed to secure automatic qualification. Ricky Evans also faces a precarious path to the world stage.

These players have one final opportunity to secure a place in the field. The Tour Card Holder Qualifier, scheduled for November 30, will distribute the final four tickets for the World Championship.

Questions remaining ahead of the championship

• Who are the notable absentees so far? Major winners like Dimitri van den Bergh and fan favorite Ricky Evans did not qualify via the Pro Tour rankings and must navigate the final qualifier on November 30.
• How many German players are expected to compete? Officials and analysts anticipate a record-breaking German presence, with current projections suggesting between nine and 13 players could eventually qualify for the London event.
• What is the next checkpoint for the players? The immediate focus for those yet to qualify is the Tour Card Holder Qualifier on November 30, while the World Championship itself is set to commence on December 11.