Michael van Gerwen to return to the oche in Belfast
Michael van Gerwen has confirmed he’ll be back on the oche in Belfast on Thursday after a worrying spell on the sidelines, reports BritPanorama.
The Dutch darts star has sat out four consecutive tournaments due to illness, missing significant events including the Glasgow Premier League night, the Poland Darts Open, and both Players Championship events in Leicester.
Speaking to AD.nl, the three-time world champion stated: “I’m feeling much better, but I was really poorly. I’ll be there on Thursday. Tomorrow I’m flying to Northern Ireland. I’m not completely fit yet, but fit enough.”
At 36 years old, Van Gerwen has not disclosed the exact nature of his illness, which came at a frustrating time as he had been enjoying a strong start to 2026. He kickstarted the year by claiming the Bahrain Darts Masters title and reaching the final of the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, where he was ultimately defeated.
His close friend and fellow player Vincent van der Voort revealed that Van Gerwen had been taking antibiotics, but specifics surrounding his condition remain unconfirmed. Thursday’s return will be challenging, as he faces the formidable Gerwyn Price in the first round.
Price has had the upper hand in their recent encounters; notably, he defeated Van Gerwen 6-0 in the quarter-finals of Players Championship 2, later securing the Premier League night two title against him with a 6-3 victory.
The intense competition underscores the significance of Van Gerwen’s return, as he had been leading the Premier League table before his absence, following two strong performances in Newcastle and Antwerp.
This upcoming match not only tests his readiness after a prolonged break but could ultimately prove pivotal in his quest for playoff qualification in the early stages of the season, where every point is crucial.
In a sport where the margin for error is slim, the question remains whether being “fit enough” can translate to performance that matches his ambitions for another Premier League title run.
