Gian van Veen is relishing the opportunity to play on home soil in Rotterdam as the BetMGM Premier League rolls into the Netherlands on Thursday. Van Veen’s maiden Premier League campaign features a debut at Rotterdam Ahoy, marking his first time playing on home soil in the competition. The Dutch number one – hailing from […]
Gian van Veen is relishing the opportunity to play on home soil in Rotterdam as the BetMGM Premier League rolls into the Netherlands on Thursday.
Van Veen’s maiden Premier League campaign features a debut at Rotterdam Ahoy, marking his first time playing on home soil in the competition.
The Dutch number one – hailing from Poederoijen, just 60km away from Night Eleven’s arena – is embracing the opportunity to play in front of a sell-out 10,000 home crowd.
“I’m very excited. It’s the night I was looking most forward to and it’s finally going to happen,” proclaimed Van Veen.
“I still remember the first time it was held here in Rotterdam – I was there in the crowd!
“I would have never thought that ten years later, I would be on that stage, but here we are!
“As soon as I got the invite, the 16th of April was marked with a red circle in the calendar.”
Nevertheless, the World Championship runner-up remains in pursuit of a Play-Offs position by the conclusion of the league phase.
The 23-year-old currently sits in fifth, four points behind fellow Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in fourth, and has work to do if he wants to feature at the O2 in his debut campaign – but he does not want to sacrifice his enjoyment along the way.
“Top four is the main target for now,” affirmed the world number three.
“But, because it’s my first year and everything that has happened with my kidney stones, I’m still maybe not 100% back yet.
“I’m also just enjoying myself. Especially in Rotterdam, it’s mostly about enjoying the atmosphere and being up there for the first time.
“Everything is new this year and I’m really enjoying it, but I want to play better and I want to win more games.”
Van Veen is one of only three players to have made four finals in the opening ten nights of the Premier League, but simultaneously is only one of three players to not have won a night yet.
Whilst a first nightly win in Rotterdam would be memorable, the Dutch number one wants to improve his performances in particular, as he holds the second-lowest tournament average of 95.58.
“I don’t think I’m performing well enough to say I should have won a couple of nights,” admitted Van Veen.
“It’s not all about averages, but I’ve not been up there with the rest of the players who are playing a bit better.
“I’ve grinded out some important wins, especially in the weeks where I’ve made the final. It gives me a lot of confidence that I’m winning games when I’m not at my best.
“I’m still there or thereabouts. I’m not that far behind the top four, still in fifth place, so anything can happen.”
Van Veen’s opponent in his homecoming is none other than defending champion Luke Humphries.
The world number two also sits outside the Play-Off places, in seventh and a point behind Van Veen, with both in dire need of points to bolster their O2 pushes.
“It’s an important one, but I’m also very much going to enjoy myself up there,” vowed Van Veen.
“It’s something I won’t ever forget in my life so I’m mostly going to enjoy it – but of course, it’s another game and especially against Luke Humphries, a main rival for a top four spot.
“The best man on the day will win and hopefully that can be me.”
Ranking points are awarded per night – with five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists – to form the league table from which the top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday May 28.
The 2026 BetMGM Premier League is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
2026 BetMGM Premier League
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy
Thursday April 16
Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler v Gerwyn Price
Gian van Veen v Luke Humphries
Michael van Gerwen v Jonny Clayton
Stephen Bunting v Josh Rock
Semi-Finals
Littler/Price v Van Veen/Humphries
Van Gerwen/Clayton v Bunting/Rock
Final
v
All matches best of 11 legs