Gian van Veen "The Giant" 
Better known as GVV — the Dutch wonder kid who's gone from back-to-back World Youth champion to European Championship winner and a genuine threat at the very top of the game.
Gian van Veen At A Glance
| Full Name | Pieter Gerard "Gian" van Veen |
| Date of Birth | 23 April 2002 (age 24) |
| Place of Birth | Poederoijen, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Nicknames | GVV · The Giant |
| Walk-On Song | "Astronomia" by Tony Igy & Vicetone |
| PDC Ranking | World No. 3 |
| Playing Since | 2015 (PDC Tour Card from 2023) |
| Darts Used | 21g Red Dragon Tour Edition (90% tungsten) |
| Favourite Double | Double Tops (D20) |
| Major Titles | European Championship (2025) · Back-to-back PDC World Youth Champion (2024, 2025) |
| Best Worlds Finish | Runner-up (2026) |
| Career Prize Money | Over £1.18m |
The Story of Gian van Veen
Every era throws up a next-big-thing, and in the new wave of darting talent, Gian van Veen is right at the front of the queue. The Dutchman — known to everyone as GVV — has climbed the ranks at a rate of knots, and he's done it on raw quality.
Born Pieter Gerard van Veen on 23 April 2002 in the small Dutch village of Poederoijen, he picked up the darts in 2015 and never looked back. The youth circuit didn't stand a chance: he topped the 2023 Development Tour rankings with six titles in a single year, then went and won the PDC World Youth Championship in both 2024 and 2025 — back-to-back, a marker of just how dominant he was at that level.
Gian van Veen in action — the Dutch youngster tipped as a future World Champion.
His first deep run on the big stage came at the 2023 European Championship, where he reached the semi-finals as a relative unknown. By 2025 he'd kicked on properly, winning his first PDC ranking title at Players Championship 6 — and then the big one. At the 2025 European Championship he claimed his maiden PDC major, defeating none other than Luke Humphries in the final.
The momentum carried into the biggest event of all. At the 2026 PDC World Championship, van Veen battled all the way to the final, only to come up against the relentless Luke Littler. Runner-up at the Worlds at 23, and a major champion already — that's a frightening trajectory.
Now sitting at world number three, GVV is no longer a prospect. He's the real deal, and the Gian van Veen darts story looks set to run and run.
What Darts Does Gian van Veen Use?
Fans of the young Dutchman want to know exactly what he's throwing. Gian van Veen uses 21g Red Dragon signature darts — his Tour Edition range, machined from 90% tungsten and developed with Red Dragon to suit his game. They come in two flavours: the Tour Edition Original and the Tour Edition Switch Points version.
The 21g weight is on the lighter side of the professional spectrum, which suits a fast, fluid thrower like van Veen down to the ground. The barrel's grip pattern gives him clean, repeatable purchase without snagging, and the 90% tungsten construction keeps things slim for tight grouping in the treble. The Switch Points option adds the convenience of swappable points, handy for dialling in your perfect feel.
Light, fast and precise — exactly the kind of setup that's powered his rapid rise up the rankings.
Gian van Veen's Full Gear Setup
Want to throw like GVV? Here's the complete Gian van Veen darts setup — both versions of his signature Red Dragon Tour Edition barrels. Every item below is the genuine professional range.
Red Dragon Gian van Veen Tour Edition Switch Points — 90% Tungsten
The Switch Points version of GVV's signature darts gives you all the quality of the 90% tungsten Tour Edition barrel, with the added bonus of interchangeable points. Swap and adjust to dial in your perfect front-end feel without the faff. A cracking bit of kit for players who like to fine-tune their setup.
Gian van Veen Merchandise
Fancy looking the part in the crowd? The official Gian van Veen replica playing shirt is a cracking bit of kit for any fan — proper tournament apparel as worn by GVV himself, and a brilliant gift idea for the darts-mad among us.
Gian van Veen Career Highlights
2023 — Development Tour Domination
Tops the Development Tour rankings with six titles in a single year, and reaches the semi-finals of the European Championship as a relative unknown.
2024 — World Youth Champion
Lands the PDC World Youth Championship, announcing himself as the standout young talent on the circuit.
2025 — First Ranking Title & Back-to-Back Youth Crown
Wins his first PDC ranking title at Players Championship 6 and retains the World Youth Championship for a second straight year.
2025 — European Champion
Claims his maiden PDC major at the 2025 European Championship, beating Luke Humphries 11–10 in a final for the ages — a true coming-of-age moment.
2026 — World Championship Runner-Up
Storms to the final of the PDC World Championship at just 23, falling only to the brilliance of Luke Littler. A statement of intent for the years ahead.
Playing Style & Technique
Gian van Veen plays the kind of darts that gets crowds on their feet. He's a quick, fluid thrower with a lovely natural rhythm, and his lighter 21g darts let him keep that snappy tempo going without forcing it. When he's on song, he scores in big, relentless bursts.
GVV celebrating on the big stage — composure and quality well beyond his years.
What stands out for a player so young is his temperament. Beating Luke Humphries in a major final, then reaching a World Championship final, takes serious bottle — and van Veen handles those moments like a seasoned pro. He doesn't get flustered, he trusts his scoring, and he's developing a clinical edge on the doubles to match.
With his blend of speed, power and a cool head, GVV has all the tools to be a fixture at the business end of majors for the next decade. The ceiling here is sky-high.
Van Veen's game shows the value of a fast, natural rhythm — don't overthink your throw, let it flow. If you want to build a smoother, more repeatable action of your own, have a read of our complete guide on how to throw darts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What darts does Gian van Veen use?
Gian van Veen uses 21g Red Dragon Gian van Veen Tour Edition darts, made from 90% tungsten, available in Original and Switch Points versions.
How old is Gian van Veen?
Gian van Veen was born on 23 April 2002 in Poederoijen, the Netherlands, which makes him 24 years old as of 2026.
What is Gian van Veen's walk-on song?
Gian van Veen's walk-on song is "Astronomia" by Tony Igy and Vicetone.
What is Gian van Veen's nickname?
He's widely known by his initials GVV, and also carries the nickname "The Giant".
What has Gian van Veen won?
Gian van Veen won the 2025 European Championship, beating Luke Humphries in the final, and is the back-to-back PDC World Youth Champion (2024 and 2025). He was also runner-up at the 2026 World Championship.
Where is Gian van Veen from?
Gian van Veen is from Poederoijen in the Netherlands, making him part of the strong Dutch darting tradition alongside the likes of Michael van Gerwen.
Other PDC Player Profiles
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