VAN BARNEVELD TO PLAY ON WORLD SENIORS TOUR
11/06/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD has stunned the darting world by becoming the final wildcard entry for the 2025 World Seniors Champion of Champions.
The PDC ordinarily refuses to allow any of their active Tour Card holders to compete in any televised event not under their jurisdiction.
But ‘Barney’ has broken that barrier and will participate in the 12-man event on Sunday, June 29 at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth.
World No. 35 Van Barneveld said: “I am looking forward to playing in this event.
“The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard.
“They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I’m looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era.
“I’m not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament.”
He added: “To have the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who have not long come off the Professional Tour, and then Seniors World Champions like John (Henderson), Robert (Thornton), and Ross (Montgomery) also playing, it’s going to be a real battle out there to take the title.
“I can’t wait for the draw. Richie Burnett can still play to a high standard, and Martin Adams is rock-solid too.
“They would be two special games, but anyone in this field will be a good test for me. They are all world-class dart players.
“The fire still burns for me. I’m used to winning tournaments wherever I have played, and it would be very special for me if I could lift a Seniors TV title too.”
The Dutchman claimed a remarkable five world titles between 1998 and 2007 and won his last major championship at the 2014 Premier League.
After a brief retirement around 2020, Van Barneveld returned to the circuit and has since won Pro Tour titles as recently as last year to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
