VAN DEN BERGH VOWS PREMIER LEAGUE COMEBACK
13/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
DIMITRI Van den Bergh has vowed to fight his way back to the Premier League.
World No.26 Van den Bergh was left emotional after watching the roadshow arrive in Antwerp for the first time, with more than 10,000 fans packing out the AFAS Dome to witness a historic night for darts in Belgium.
‘The Dreammaker’ featured in the major tournament back in 2021 and 2023 but suffered a major slump in form last year, leaving him completely out of contention this time around.
Van den Bergh was left astonished by the scenes unfolding in his home country, admitting that the sport has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity.
He said: “It’s absolutely incredible — over ten thousand people here; it is giving me goosebumps.
“I have to say a massive thank you to the PDC; they have done something that will remain in the history books forever.
“There were so many times I would walk down the street and nobody would have any idea who I was.
“Now, wherever I go, people stop me and ask how I’m doing. They keep saying, ‘We support you all the time,’ and I’m like, ‘Wow, this is massive.’
“I can only say a massive thank you for all the support I get. I love it.”
The two-time major winner insists he will return to his very best, with nights like this serving only to fuel his motivation even further.
He added: “My plan has always been that I want to be up there. As soon as I got to the top, I wanted to stay at the top.
“Unfortunately, it is really hard to stay there, even though you try everything you can.
“These are the reasons why you keep the extra motivation and keep trying. One day I will be back.
“I don’t know when, but I will be trying to come back.”
Van den Bergh crashed out of the World Championship in the first-round last year after a 3–0 defeat to Darren Beveridge.
Dimi also failed to qualify for the World Masters for the first time since 2020.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
