Danny Noppert has made himself unavailable for selection for the upcoming World Series events in Australia and New Zealand, opting to prioritize time with his family instead. The Dutch star, 35, confirmed his decision on the Darts Draait Door podcast, stating, "I've already booked a holiday, so it's not going to happen. At least everyone knows now that I won't be playing there." Noppert, a former UK Open champion, was offered a fresh invitation with a guaranteed starting spot for the Down Under double header but chose to decline it.
Noppert explained that the packed schedule of a World Series tour, which includes media duties and promotional commitments over two weeks with little free time, influenced his choice. "You're there for two weeks, you don't really have much free time and there are lots of commitments. Then I have to choose my family, so we can just go on a normal holiday. To Gran Canaria, just enjoy ourselves and not play darts for a bit. Especially with how busy the schedule is nowadays," he said. He had previously experienced the tour in 2023, traveling with his younger brother and calling it "special," but emphasized the need for a break.
In 2025, Noppert had an impressive campaign, reaching several semi-finals at major televised tournaments, though an early exit at the PDC World Darts Championship cost him a place in the Premier League Darts line-up. Earlier this year, he competed in World Series events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia while unwell, unable to produce his usual level. The 2026 World Series calendar includes six regular events: after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in January, it will visit Denmark, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, culminating in the World Series Finals in the Netherlands in September.
