Ronny Huybrechts makes history with World Seniors Darts Championship debut

Ronny Huybrechts has been announced as the thirteenth participant in the 2026 World Seniors Darts Championship. What makes this invitation extra special is that "The Rebel" is the first Belgian player to be allowed to compete in this event.

The senior World Cup brings together legends of the past. Among others, John Henderson, Robert Thornton, Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, Darryl Fitton, Tony O'Shea, Vincent van der Voort and Martin Adams were previously added to the field of participants.

So Huybrechts may also join that list. The 59-year-old Antwerp native held a Tour Card consecutively from 2013 through 2019, returning briefly to the PDC circuit in 2023 and 2024.

The Belgian did not do badly and reached two finals on the Pro Tour, both of which he lost. One of his finest moments was the European Darts Championship in 2013, where he pulled off a huge stunt by eliminating 16-time world champion Phil Taylor 10-5. In the end, Huybrechts even made it to the semifinals of the major tournament.

That same year, Ronny Huybrechts also reached the final of the World Cup of Darts with his little brother Kim Huybrechts. In total, Huybrechts played five times for his country at the PDC national tournament, always reaching at least the quarter-finals. He fared less well at the World Darts Championship. In his five appearances, Huybrechts was eliminated three times in the first round and twice in the second round. In his World Cup debut at the end of 2013, Ronny even faced his brother Kim, a battle that was won 3-1 by the younger of the two brothers.

The fifth edition of the World Seniors Darts Championship will take place from Feb. 19 to 21 in Purfleet, the venue where the PDC World Championship was played from 1994 to 2007. In 2025, the title was won by Ross Montgomery, who was too strong for Graham Usher in the final, 5-1.