Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has revealed 2025 was his ‘worst year ever’ both on and off the oche.
The Dutchman struggled on the dartboard this year, while also going through a divorce and juggling new parenting responsibilities with his darts.
Michael van Gerwen Gives Brutal Assessment On ‘Worst Year Ever’
Michael van Gerwen aims to win a fourth Sid Waddell Trophy as he prepares for the 2026 World Darts Championship, which kicks off Thursday, December 11 with world number one Luke Littler aiming to defend his crown.
The Dutchman, unlike Littler, heads to Ally Pally somewhat under the radar, after arguably his worst year on the dart board ever. As well as struggling on the oche, van Gerwen has also endured a turbulent year away from darts.
In a candid interview with Sky Sports, van Gerwen didn’t mince his words, revealing that, “I have had a tough year, probably my worst year ever.”
After winning the World Series of Darts Finals back in September, van Gerwen vowed to quit darts, but will still be heading to Ally Pally this year.
That is despite enduring his worst year ever, which included poor performances in an array of darts tournaments and troubles with his personal life too. Although winning a fourth world title will be tough, van Gerwen feels he has gone through tougher already this year.
“Things were happening in the past, you can’t change it anymore. The only thing you can change is the future,” said the Dutchman.
“I used to have a wife who helped me with things, but now when I have the kids, I have to look after them. So I have to adjust myself a little bit. My kids are always priority number one.”
🗣️ “Probably my worst year ever.”
🇳🇱 Michael van Gerwen delivers a damning verdict on his season and looks ahead to Ally Pally.#Darts pic.twitter.com/qaE7FFnXeN
— Oche180 (@Oche180) November 26, 2025
‘MVG’ Confident Ahead Of World Darts Championship
Michael van Gerwen played a major part in the greatest leg of darts of all time back in the 2023 World Darts Championship Final, despite coming out on the wrong side of the result.
As he embarks on the 2026 Worlds at Ally Pally, the ‘Green Machine’ is as confident as ever that he can turn up when it matters and win a fourth Sid Waddell Trophy come January 3 next year.
Despite being quietly confident he can go all the way, van Gerwen is under no illusions that beating the likes of Luke Humphries, Luke Littler and co will be a tough task. That being said, the Dutchman knows he is still capable of beating everyone on his day.
“I know what I’m capable of and when I’m sharp and when I can do good things, I can play.
“I can still get to that level, I know that. You have to do the right things at the right moments in the World Championships.
“Last year I think my form was worse than it is now and I still need to find it,” said ‘MVG’.
The 36-year-old of course made the World Darts Championship Final last year, but was well beaten by teenage sensation Littler. Now 12 months on, van Gerwen is confident he can go one better and claim a fourth world title come the New Year.
Michael Van Gerwen isn’t hiding under the radar at the Worlds, and he doesn’t think anyone else should be either.
🔥Heading to Ally Pally after a tough season, his belief and fire remain strong.#darts pic.twitter.com/TpG3br1aVD
— Sportsboom (@Sportsboomcom) November 26, 2025
Van Gerwen: ‘They Don’t Like The Pressure’
Michael van Gerwen arrives at Ally Pally for the 2026 World Darts Championship as the no.3 seed behind Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. Just a few years ago, it was unthinkable that ‘MVG’ would be heading to the Worlds as a relative outsider, but here we are.
After missing the Players Championship Finals in a glaring omission, van Gerwen comes to London for the Worlds fresh and ready to conquer for the fourth time.
Although the Dutchman is no longer the clear favourite, he is somewhat relishing going under the radar. He also feels that the two Luke’s aren’t huge fans of the pressure, which could work out in his favour.
“It’s always nice to chase someone, it is easier than being hunted.
“I don’t mind being talked about, whereas they don’t like the pressure. I had the pressure for the last 20 years. It doesn’t bother me. It has [helped] in the past, so I hope it does in the future,” concluded the ‘Green Machine’.
All in all, Michael van Gerwen heads to the Worlds this year with confidence, despite having his ‘worst ever year’ both on and off the dart board.
