Gian van Veen believes his 2026 season has provided a major ‘learning curve’ ahead of his third Betfred World Matchplay appearance in Blackpool. Dutch number one Van Veen will take on Poland’s premier Krzysztof Ratajski in his opening round tie at the Winter Gardens on Sunday evening, as he bids to build on his impressive […]
Gian van Veen believes his 2026 season has provided a major ‘learning curve’ ahead of his third Betfred World Matchplay appearance in Blackpool.
Dutch number one Van Veen will take on Poland’s premier Krzysztof Ratajski in his opening round tie at the Winter Gardens on Sunday evening, as he bids to build on his impressive showing 12 months ago.
The 24-year-old dumped out then reigning champion Luke Humphries and compatriot Danny Noppert to reach the quarter-finals, before succumbing to eventual runner-up James Wade in the last eight.
Van Veen built on that campaign with a breakthrough victory at the European Championship in October, and he catapulted himself into the world’s top three following his sensational run to January’s World Championship final.
The two-time World Youth Champion was unseeded on his previous visit to Blackpool, although he returns as one of the leading contenders to lift the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy.
“With every young player they get overshadowed by [Luke] Littler right now, but I’ve always said I don’t mind that at all,” claimed Van Veen.
“In all fairness I’m not playing like the world number three at the moment and if Luke Humphries is not going to defend a whole lot of money then I’ll be looking up to world number two.
“I’m not the second best player in the world right now, but I will keep focusing on my own game and I’m really happy with my rise over the last 12 months.
“I probably never expected it to happen this quickly.”
Van Veen’s exploits in the latter stages of 2025 saw him rewarded with a Premier League debut in February, and he made a terrific start – advancing to nightly finals in three of the opening four weeks.
His bid for a top-four finish was derailed by illness after he was diagnosed with kidney stones in March, although he insists that’s no longer a factor as he sets his sights on further silverware.
“I’m done with giving that [kidney stones] as an excuse right now,” declared the reigning European Champion.
“I’m fully recovered, so it’s not about health issues. I think it’s just busy schedule, playing more games, losing more games and then as a result your confidence gets lower.
“For me not much has changed over the last 12 months, as in who I am and what I’m capable of on the dartboard, but people expect more of you.
“I’m not the world number 20 anymore, I’m the number three, so for example playing Krzysztof Ratajski – now everyone expects you to win that game.
“For me it’s different to cope with those expectations. It has been a big learning curve this year, but I think I’m dealing with that way better now than I was a couple of weeks ago.
“My performances have been better, so I believe the only way is up from here.”
The Betfred World Matchplay will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN, CANAL+ and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).