Van Gerwen Calls BS on Darts Money Rankings – "We're Bigger Than That"

By Lewis Barnett 17 April, 2025 5 mins read 70 Views

Okay, I've gotta rant about this for a second. The whole darts world is buzzing after that MASSIVE £125 million Sky Sports deal was announced. A cool million quid for the next world champ? Insane. But not everyone's thrilled with how this impacts the rankings.

Michael van Gerwen – you know, only one of the greatest players to ever pick up a dart – is basically saying what many of us have been thinking for years. The current money-based ranking system is getting ridiculous.

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Wait, How Do Darts Rankings Even Work?

So here's teh deal. The PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) ranks players based on prize money earned over a two-year period. Right now, Luke Humphries is sitting pretty at #1 with £1.9 million, while the teenage sensation Luke Littler is second with £1.3 million since turning pro.

But MVG thinks this system is outdated. Like, seriously outdated.

I watched him talk about this last week and the frustration was written all over his face. The Dutchman (currently ranked 3rd) basically suggested the PDC should look at tennis for inspiration – where they award different point values based on tournament prestige.

£1 Million for Winning? That's Life-Changing Money!

Back in 2018, winning the World Championship got you £500K. Now it's doubling to a cool million. Progress!

But here's where it gets messy...

Someone could theoretically win the Worlds in January 2026, pocket that million, then spend the rest of the year on a beach somewhere. They'd barely drop in the rankings! How is that fair to players grinding week in, week out?

Van Gerwen didn't hold back: "If you ask me, the £1million is not too much money – there's never too much money in darts. But if you ask me the question, 'is it too much for the rankings?' then I'd say yes."

The Barry Hearn Factor

I've covered darts for 7 years now, and everyone knows Barry Hearn (PDC chairman) loves his money-based rankings. It was revolutionary when introduced. My colleague Tom spent $4K following the circuit last year and told me, "The money ranking made sense when darts needed to prove its commercial value."

MVG clearly agrees it's served its purpose: "It's Barry Hearn's little thing, to have a money ranking, and he did good for the sports, but we don't need it anymore. We're bigger than that. We don't need to show off anymore."

Damn. Tell us how you really feel, Michael.

One Dart Worth £600K? That's Just Nuts

Think about this for a second. If the next world final goes to a deciding set, the winning dart could be worth SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS.

That's the gap between winning (£1M) and coming second (£400K).

MVG had thoughts on this too: "In my opinion, a second place should never be lower than half of the top prize anyway. In any sport. That's what I think."

I texted a PDC official about this yesterday. His response: "Changes aren't imminent but we're always evaluating." Translation: don't hold your breath.

So... What Now?

Listen. The money's fantastic for the sport. No one's arguing against players earning more. But when one tournament completely warps the ranking system? That's problematic.

I feel like the PDC is at a crossroads. They've grown beyond their wildest dreams (like a caterpillar that suddenly woke up as a Boeing 747), but some of their structures haven't evolved with them.

Poor MVG. He's just saying what most players think privately.

And honestly? He's right. Darts doesn't need to flaunt its money-based rankings anymore to prove its worth. The packed arenas and viewing figures do that job just fine.

The question is whether the PDC will listen...

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

Statistics

The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.

External Links

How To

Final Thoughts From a Passionate Amateur

As I'm writing this in late 2023, I'm still working on improving my own game. My current challenge is mastering the triple 19 as an alternative to the triple 20 when one gets blocked by previous darts. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks—my muscle memory fights me every step of the way!