Van Gerwen warned he could miss Premier League after ranking slide

PAUL NICHOLSON fears Michael van Gerwen could be facing a huge fight to keep his place in the Premier League.

The three-time world champion has endured a difficult 2026 campaign and could drop outside the top 20 PDC Order of Merit.

Van Gerwen, 37, is defending a sizeable chunk of ranking money towards the end of the year, including the £200,000 he picked up for reaching the final of the 2025 World Championship.

The Dutchman lost that final 7-3 to Luke Littler but has little to defend from most of the other major events after a string of early exits.

MVG’s latest setback came at the World Series Finals in Amsterdam, where he surrendered six match darts before Daryl Gurney edged him 6-5 in the first round.

Van Gerwen also suffered a disappointing title defence at the event, adding to a difficult season in which he has failed to reach the quarter-finals of any major tournament outside the World Cup of Darts.

Nicholson believes the next few months could prove hugely significant for Mighty Mike.

He told the Love the Darts podcast: “I'm worried about Michael at the moment.

“It’s easy for us to sit here and say that he’s coming towards the end of his career because he’s going only one way in the rankings, but this fall down the rankings is about to define this period of his career.”

But the former pro insists he will continue to back Van Gerwen, having seen the 48-time major winner support other players during difficult periods in their careers.

He added: “I’ll always be in Michael’s corner because he’s been there for a lot of people when they haven’t been at their peak and when they’ve struggled.

“He’s the kind of person who will put an arm around your shoulder and say, ‘Are you okay? Are you all right? Do you need anything?’

“He’s done it to more than one person, and I will always be grateful for what he’s done for myself and others because of that.

“As he slips down the rankings, what we should do as a collective is say, ‘You’re not finished. You know you’re not finished. You’ve got people in your corner, but what are you going to do about it?’

“Ultimately, it’s all up to you. Get it mentally right. Get it practised right, which he always seems to do.

“But the definition of a comeback is from what you do on the stage in moments, and those moments are fewer than before.”

Van Gerwen has shown glimpses of his old brilliance this season, including a stunning 122 average in his semi-final victory over Martin Schindler at Players Championship 15 which he went on to win.

Nicholson believes that performance proves the talent is still there.

He continued: “So go out and average 122 in a semi-final like he’s done this season against Martin Schindler.

“That was proof to the world that the game is still there, but will it be there for the next four months?

“Because if he’s outside the top 10 in the world for the first time in 15 years, he might not be in the Premier League.”

The legendary thrower has reached the semi-final of just two of the 11 European Tour events he has played this season and has not lifted a title.

He returns to action this evening at the World Grand Prix and takes on Ryan Joyce in round one.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning