Raymond van Barneveld, the renowned darts athlete, has been announced as the final invitee for the 2025 World Seniors Champion of Champions.
What happened?
The news came as a shock to the darting world, as Van Barneveld is a current PDC Tour Card holder, and the PDC typically does not allow its players to compete in non-PDC events.
The World Seniors Darts announced the news via their social media accounts, stating that Van Barneveld will be part of the 12-player field on June 29th at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth.
Why it matters for Raymond van Barneveld
Van Barneveld expressed his excitement about playing in the event, stating that he is looking forward to catching up with old faces from his BDO era.
He also acknowledged the strong competition, mentioning players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King, who have recently come off the Professional Tour.
The five-time World Champion said he will be preparing hard for the tournament and giving his full respect to all the players involved.
What comes next?
The announcement has raised questions about Van Barneveld's PDC future, with uncertainty surrounding whether he has handed in his Tour Card or been given a special exemption by the PDC.
Van Barneveld will face tough competition, including Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton, and Ross Montgomery.
He mentioned that he is used to winning tournaments and would find it very special to lift a Seniors TV title.
The draw for the tournament is highly anticipated, with Van Barneveld looking forward to playing against top players like Richie Burnett and Martin Adams.
As of June 10, 2025, the darting world is eagerly waiting to see how Van Barneveld will perform in the 2025 World Seniors Champion of Champions.
The event promises to be an exciting one, with a strong field of players competing for the title.
Van Barneveld's participation has added an extra layer of excitement to the tournament, and fans are looking forward to seeing him in action.