Van Veen 12/1 for Ally Pally glory after European Championship win
Gian van Veen has been cut into a best price of 12/1 to win the 2026 PDC World Championship after lifting darts' 2025 European Championship in Dortmund.
The Dutch starlet, 23, was in marvellous form throughout the four-day major and sealed his maiden TV title in the most dramatic of fashion, beating world number one Luke Humphries 11-10 having survived a match dart in the decider.
It is no surprise to the darting public that Van Veen, now ranked 7th in the world, has made his major breakthrough, having been one of the standout performers on the Pro Tour since gaining his card in January 2023.
And bookmakers are taking no chances about the mercurial talent adding to his haul this festive season, with Van Veen now cut into 12/1 best price to become world champion on January 3rd.
Speaking to Darts Now in his post-match press conference, Van Veen admitted he was relieved to have taken his chance having faced some undeserved criticism from social media trolls.
He said: "Everyone says to me, 'You're due your first title on stage'. Three of the last four European Tours I've been in the semi-finals.
"Last week against Nathan Aspinall, I was 6-3 or 6-4 up and lost 7-6. That one really hurt.
"Everyone says they don't look at social media – but we do. And loads of people had said after last week, 'Oh, he's a fantastic player but he bottled it once again'.
"But it's always going to be difficult to win things with the calibre of player now. In this field, it's so difficult, so I'm so pleased to have won this title.
"If I'd have lost this final, it would have really hurt because I know how tough it is to make another final and to win that first title. But luckily I've done it this weekend."
Now inside the world's top eight and a major winner, many will view Van Veen as a near certainty for darts' 2026 Premier League line-up.
With both world number one Luke Humphries and world champion Luke Littler absolute locks for a spot in the eight-man PDC roadshow, the conversation around the other six players most deserving of a place appears more blurred than ever.
Traditionally, the top four from the PDC rankings get an automatic spot, which is good news for Michael van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting as things stand.
But with the likes of James Wade and Jonny Clayton within reach of those ranking spots, things could easily change between now and the first dart at Ally Pally.
Others firmly in the conversation include Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price – while a deep run from someone like Danny Noppert, Damon Heta or Nathan Aspinall would give the PDC a real headache come the new year.
Littler remains the 11/8 favourite to retain his PDC World Championship crown this winter, with Humphries a best-priced 11/2 to regain it from his namesake and become a two-time world champion.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt's p/l
7 Days
30 Days
Year 2025
GIAN VAN VEEN WINS THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆 It's incredible from Gian van Veen... 🙌 What nerve from the young man as he beats Luke Humphries 11-10 to win the 2025 Machineseeker European Championship!
