Michael van Gerwen is aiming to win his fourth title at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship
Michael van Gerwen is set to enter the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Michael van Gerwen is set to enter the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship tonight (Thursday). The Dutchman is a three-time winner, last clinching the title in 2019.
MVG saw his hopes of securing a fourth triumph dismantled by a 7-3 defeat to Luke Littler in the most recent world final at Alexandra Palace. The 36-year-old will be eager to go one step further and reclaim his crown this time around as he prepares for his first round match against Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.
Van Gerwen has won an impressive 48 ranked titles during his illustrious career. However, the former world champion has endured difficulties away from the oche. Here is a closer look at Van Gerwen’s life outside of the sport.
Split from wife Daphne
In May, Van Gerwen announced that he had separated from his wife Daphne. The couple married in 2014 and share two children together, a daughter born in August 2017 and a son born in April 2020.
Posting a statement on social media, Van Gerwen said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship. As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments.
“I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. We are facing a difficult time and ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
The pair had begun dating in 2008 and got married six years later. Daphne is a former hairdresser who was often seen supporting her husband at darts events around the world.
Van Gerwen has split from his wife Daphne(Image: Instagram/@daphnevangerwen)
Darts break
Following the announcement, Van Gerwen took some time away from darts. He immediately withdrew from the Dutch Darts Championship and did not return until the US Darts Masters, a little over a month after his last match.
Van Gerwen also chose to withdraw from Players Championship 32 in October, skipping the Wigan event to spend time with his family. He explained that a more relaxed schedule would also help him prepare for the world championships.
“I owe it to myself, my management, sponsors and also the fans to only perform when I’m fully focused and can give 100 per cent to the game I love,” Van Gerwen told Darts World. “At this moment, my family are what matter most and they will always be the priority, regardless of anything else.
“Thank you for your continued words of support on social media. I do see them, and it means a lot. At the end of the day, just because we as professional dart players are in the spotlight, we are first and foremost loving parents.”
Van Gerwen will be aiming to win his fourth world championship(Image: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Broken jaw
Before his latest break from darts, Van Gerwen was previously sidelined due to jaw surgery. ‘The Green Machine’ previously detailed how a series of surgeries included having his jaw broken to fix a dental issue.
Speaking ahead of the operation two years ago, Van Gerwen said: “I’ll have an operation in which they’re going to break my upper jaw and lower jaw. Put them right on each other. Then it’s all about recovery. Two years more in a brace. Then I’m about finished.
“Between the first operation this year and the second one, there has to be a minimum of one year. It’s because my upper jaw is a lot smaller than my lower jaw. My underbite is over a centimetre.
“Even a slice of ham, I cannot even bite properly. And because my upper jaw is too small also you get less oxygen through your nose. That creates headaches, less sleep, things like that.”
