Raymond van Barneveld has been granted special permission to play in a non-PDC event. The Dutch legend, 58, stunned the darts world this week when he announced he had accepted a wildcard invite to play in the World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament later this month.
PDC Tour Card holders are ordinarily barred from playing in televised or streamed events that aren’t run by the PDC. Van Barneveld’s participation in a World Seniors tournament inevitably led to questions over his future with the PDC and whether he had handed in his Tour Card as he winds down his legendary career, having recently hinted at retirement. However, the five-time world champion remains a full member of the PDC, which has accepted his request to play in the Champion of Champions, which will be played at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on June 29.
When approached by the Express, a PDC spokesperson said: “Raymond has asked for, and been granted, permission to play in the event.”
World Seniors Darts chairman Jason Francis took to social media to confirm that Van Barneveld had gone through the proper channels. He posted on X: “RVB followed the correct procedures, and permission was granted. It’s all good.”
In response to a question from former world champion Keith Deller about whether other players could follow suit, Francis added: “The PDC contract allows players to apply for permission. In this case [we’re] delighted it’s been granted for @Raybar180 to play as he is a legend and a fantastic addition but 11 others will want to prove a point so should be fantastic competition. Darts is the winner here.”
Barneveld will go up against fellow darts legends like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King. The 58-year-old, who will now be the star attraction, 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. With players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King – who’ve just stepped off the pro tour – plus Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton, and Ross Montgomery, it’s going to be a real battle.”
There is no suggestion that Van Barneveld is planning to leave the PDC Tour, and he is on course to be part of the field at the upcoming World Matchplay in Blackpool, which starts on July 19. The exception does potentially open the door to lower-ranked players and players of Van Barneveld’s age to play in the MODUS Super Series and World Seniors events.