Wessel Nijman has taken the darting world by storm in 2026, and the Dutchman is confident of inflicting more damage on his Winter Gardens return. Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Wessel Nijman; the only four players in PDC history to win eight ProTour titles in the same calendar year. Nijman has joined […]
Wessel Nijman has taken the darting world by storm in 2026, and the Dutchman is confident of inflicting more damage on his Winter Gardens return.
Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Wessel Nijman; the only four players in PDC history to win eight ProTour titles in the same calendar year.
Nijman has joined that exclusive club with over five months of the season remaining, having followed up his six Players Championship successes with victories at the European Darts Trophy and Slovak Darts Open.
“I did not expect to win this many titles, especially two European Tour titles as well,” conceded Nijman, who currently tops the Players Championship and European Tour rankings.
“Obviously not all the best players have been at every tournament, [Luke] Littler and [Luke] Humphries have not been in all the events, but I think it’s still a great achievement.
“My confidence is very high, not only for the World Matchplay but for the next six months.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s a feeling I’ve had before, but not this strong, so I’m very happy.”
The 26-year-old will begin his second Betfred World Matchplay campaign against five-time quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall, who claimed the final qualification place in last-gasp fashion earlier this month.
Dutch number one Gian van Veen could then await in the last 16 if the pair win through their opening round tussles, and Nijman will take encouragement from his compatriot’s rise over the last 12 months.
Following sustained progress away from the big stage, Van Veen made his breakthrough with victory at the European Championship last Autumn, before enjoying a fairytale run to January’s World Championship final.
The next step for Nijman is to transfer his relentless ProTour brilliance to the sport’s biggest stages, and the Empress Ballroom could provide the perfect platform in his quest.
“I’ve said it before in previous interviews, but I think the Winter Gardens in Blackpool is the best venue we have,” continued Nijman, who defeated Nathan Aspinall on debut 12 months ago.
“I think the venue itself is very special, the fans are fantastic, and it’s so hard to qualify for an event like this.
“I enjoyed it very much last year, and I’m looking forward to playing here again. I believe I can make a big impact.
“Winning on the European Tour was very important for me. This can help you get the experience to produce the same level in the biggest tournaments, and hopefully that happens for me as well.”
Nijman will be one of eight Dutch players featuring in this year’s 32-player field, as Kevin Doets and Niels Zonneveld prepare to make their debuts in the £1m event.
Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen will also headline, as Van Veen, Danny Noppert, Jermaine Wattimena and Dirk van Duijvenbode complete the list of Dutch darters heading to Blackpool.
Van Veen’s emergence – coupled with Nijman’s incredible progress – represents another exciting era for Dutch darts, as the next generation aim to follow in the footsteps of their iconic countrymen.
“I think we have five [Dutch] players in the top 20 now, so that’s special,” added Nijman, who is determined to capitalise on his magnificent start to 2026.
“In the past we were used to having one big player with Michael van Gerwen, and before him Raymond van Barneveld, but now it’s more balanced.
“I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily better because Michael won almost everything he played back in the day, but it’s a different time now and it’s very nice.
“My goal was to get into the top 16 by the end of the year, so I’m very very pleased it’s already happened.
“Now I’ve achieved that, I can look towards the top ten and maybe I will make that my new goal for the rest of the year.”
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay official programme, including five exclusive interviews, is available to buy here.