Darts star Raymond van Barneveld will not participate in the World Masters 2026. His surprising cancellation has a financial background.
The traditional World Masters will take place in 2026 without Raymond van Barneveld. The Dutch darts star announced his withdrawal from the first major tournament of the year on Thursday.
In Tubantia , “Barney” also provided an explanation for skipping the PDC event: “I have slight back pain and have barely held a dart since the World Championship. Furthermore, I only returned yesterday from a 14-day holiday in Thailand. But that’s not the real reason.”
Raymond van Barneveld skips the World Masters 2026
In fact, van Barneveld already has other appointments in his calendar between January 29 and February 1. “Before the PDC calendar came out, I had agreed to two exhibition tournaments with the FC Twente Business Club,” explained the 58-year-old, who was eliminated in the first round of the 2026 Darts World Championship.
Darts: Van Barneveld can “earn good money”
The decision has a financial background: “Then you calculate it: two days at FC Twente, where I can earn good money, or nothing at all if you don’t make it through qualification. I chose the former.”
Only the top 24 players in the PDC Order of Merit are automatically seeded for the World Masters. As the current number 36, van Barneveld would have to be first to qualify for the main draw with three wins.
A loss in the first match would only bring him 750 pounds. An exit in the second round 1,000 pounds and a defeat in the last qualification round 2,500 pounds. Reaching the main draw is rewarded with 5,000 pounds.
Apparently, thes at the Dutch football club Twente Enschede are more tempting for van Barneveld’s appearance from a financial perspective.