MVG DITCHES WORLD CUP FOR IBIZA BREAK!
30/04/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Aaron Nijjar
MICHAEL van Gerwen has pulled out of this year’s World Cup of Darts — choosing a luxury holiday over representing the Netherlands.
Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen will not play in Frankfurt on June 12-15.
World No. 3 Van Gerwen’s absence shocked fans.
But close pal and former pro Vincent van der Voort wasn’t surprised.
He said on the Darts Draait Podcast: “I already knew back in December—his holiday was booked by then.
“I think he’ll be on a very big boat near Ibiza around that time. It’s all very inconvenient, of course.”
Podcast host Damian Vlottes joked: “If the choice is between that or the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, I think I’d know what to pick.”
Former UK Open finalist Van der Voort backed MVG’s decision.
He added: “Playing for your country is a great honour, but let’s be honest, the World Cup of Darts was somewhat forced into the calendar.
“We looked at the schedule, and Michael wants to be at his best in the autumn. That means something has to give.
“He wants to be fresh for the second half of the year, which is why his holiday falls during the World Cup. It’s a matter of making choices.
“The World Cup just has a lower priority at the moment. Maybe he’ll return to it next year.”
Van Gerwen is also skipping this year’s World Series trip to Australia.
With MVG out, Gian van Veen is expected to partner Danny Noppert for the Dutch team.
‘The Giant’ is the next highest-ranked Tour Card holder after Van Gerwen.
World Youth champ Van Veen has enjoyed a breakout year winning his first ProTour title at the Players Championship Six and reaching the final of the German Grand Prix.
Van Veen is a stellar replacement as he boasts the best checkout percentage on tour at 47.28 percent this year showing his flawless talent on hitting the outer ring.
But ‘The Green Machine’ has an incredible record in the World Cup winning the event three times.
However, he has now skipped the event three times in the last four years and was knocked out in the second round of the tournament in 2024.
‘Mighty Mike’s’ last World Cup crown came in 2018 when he beat Scotland in the final alongside Raymond van Barneveld.
Van Gerwen returns to action tomorrow (Thursday) when he faces Rob Cross in the Premier League at Birmingham.
Both players are yet to win a Premier League Night after 13 weeks of action.
47-time major winner Van Gerwen sits fifth in the table but is level on 17 points with Nathan Aspinall who is in fourth and ahead after winning in Manchester.
