Huge shock! PDC Tour Card holder Raymond van Barneveld announced for 2025 World Seniors Champion of Champions

A huge shock has reverberated around the darting world this evening as current PDC Tour Card holder Raymond van Barneveld has been announced as the mystery final invitee for the 2025 World Seniors Champion of Champions!

Ordinarily, the PDC refuses to allow any of their Tour Card holders compete in any televised event not under their jurisdiction. As such, the darting world has been left stunned and confused at this sudden announcement of Van Barneveld crossing the previously forbidden barrier.

"World Seniors Darts can confirm that the final wildcard invite for the 2025 BetGoodwin Champion of Champions has been accepted by Raymond van Barneveld," announced World Seniors Darts via their official social media accounts. "The five-time World Champion will be part of the 12-player field on Sunday 29th June at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth."

"I am looking forward to playing in this event" said Van Barneveld himself. "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era".

"I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament," continued the five time world champion. "To have the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who have not long come off the Professional Tour, and then Seniors World Champions like John (Henderson), Robert (Thornton), and Ross (Montgomery) also playing, it's going to be a real battle out there to take the title".

"I can't wait for the draw. Richie Burnett can still play to a high standard, and Martin Adams is rock-solid too. They would be two special games, but anyone in this field will be a good test for me. They are all world-class dart players," he concludes. "The fire still burns for me. I'm used to winning tournaments wherever I have played, and it would be very special for me if I could lift a Seniors TV title too".

Just what this means for Barney's PDC future is as of yet uncertain. Has he handed his Tour Card in? Have the PDC given the legendary Dutchman special exemption? We'll soon find out.