Dutch darts has already produced two clear success stories in the space of 12 months: Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman. Niels Zonneveld does not fit this model quite as neatly. He hasn't picked up titles and doesn't carry the same noise. But the Dutchman's 2026 has started to force the question of whether he could break into the top tier of darts. Repeatedly impressive in eclipsing his 2025 prize money within five months in 2026, driven largely by his European Tour performances.
Zonneveld has six years of tour experience, winning a tour card at European Q-School 2019 on the first day. He was given the nickname 'Triple Z' as 'Zig Zag Zonneveld' was used by commentators as he emerged in the sport. He quit his accountancy career to throw darts. A 2021 World Series Finals quarter-final beating Gary Anderson 6-4 was a statement, as was the 2022 Belgian Darts Open, toppling Peter Wright, with Wright refusing a fist bump before the final leg. The 2024 Czech Darts Open proved to be Zonneveld's best achievement, a Euro Tour semi-final. This built the consistency, breeding a first PDC ranking final at PC22 against Bialecki, losing out to the Polish youngster.
Ranked 36th doesn't tell the full story. Zonneveld's 2026 year-to-date rankings put him 17th, and his European Order of Merit is 9th. These figures show that the 27-year-old's previous years are pulling him back from higher rankings. The impressive 9th place puts him ahead of 2023 Masters Champion Chris Dobey and even Premier League contender Josh Rock. Yet Zonneveld hasn't gotten the media attention or respect when facing such players, but the win over Rock 6-5 in ET4 with a 103.59 average reinforces that he belongs among players ranked far above him. His win percentages have risen from 54% in 2023 to 57% in 2024, 61% in 2025, and 63% in 2026. A projected £265k to be won based upon his performances in 2026, without majors that he has almost guaranteed qualification for, suggests he is ahead of those around him.
Michael van Gerwen arrived at ET2 in strong form. Zonneveld matched him, a 104.46 average in a demolition job, 6-2. It was his first-ever win against him, and it wasn't close. 'I felt so comfortable and focused,' he told Tungsten Tales. The catalyst for Zonneveld seems to be confidence, directed by his third-set demolition of Puha at the 2026 World Championship: a 13, 12, and 14 darters to seal the 3-0 win. 'When I relax, I'm playing really well,' he exclaimed. ET2 and ET3 were a landmark fortnight. ET2 had that MVG result, but also beating Keane Barry, Wattimena, and Veenstra whilst dropping just nine legs across four matches. ET3 demanded two ton-plus averages, one against Haavisto in a 6-4 triumph, and a 101.58 average against Luke Littler. He is third in the World Matchplay race, almost guaranteeing qualification into the second biggest ranking tournament.
Problems still remain. ET2 and ET3 produced two semi-finals, with an aggregate score of seven legs for Zonneveld and 14 for his opponents. He lost 7-1 to Wessel Nijman on his way to win his maiden title. His loss to Clayton, although 7-6, his 88.02 average was 9.54 points lower than his tournament average of 97.56. At the UK Open, his first major, he tumbled in the last 64 against Daryl Gurney with a 93.01 average. A two-time quarter-finalist in PC4 and PC5, alongside six first-round exits from 13, nearly half his tour appearances end at the first hurdle. His form since March has seen one last-16 appearance, and the rest of the eight Player Championships ended at best at the Last 64. The variance of his losing averages ranges from 104.93 to 83.83. Zonneveld looks top 16-bound, but for now, seedings will create a difficult proposition that will build Zonneveld's resistance, and just one win against a player ranked higher would prove pivotal to the left-hander's career.
