“It’s time to close a chapter” – Ricardo Pietreczko parts ways with his darts manufacturer at the start of the season

Ricardo Pietreczko has announced a significant personal restructuring as he begins the new PDC season. In a statement shared on his Instagram account, Germany’s number two revealed that his long-standing partnership with equipment supplier Datadart will come to an end after four years. The move forms part of a broader period of athletic and organisational realignment for the 31-year-old as he looks ahead to the next stage of his career.

In his detailed message, Pietreczko adopted a deliberately appreciative and respectful tone. He spoke warmly about four years that were defined by trust, strong cooperation, and many shared experiences. He made a point of thanking Datadart for their continuous support and loyalty throughout this period, highlighting the importance of the relationship in his development on the professional circuit.

At the same time, Pietreczko made it clear that he is now ready to embrace a new chapter. While the decision marks the end of an important partnership, he stressed that it also signals the beginning of fresh challenges, new ambitions, and clearly defined goals as he enters the next phase of his journey in the sport.

Sporting focus despite upheaval

Alongside the announcement, Pietreczko was keen to shift the spotlight back onto his sporting objectives. Despite the organisational changes away from the oche, he underlined that his competitive focus remains fully intact. “The next steps are coming up,” he wrote, referencing his determination to qualify for the Winmau World Masters 2026.

He explained that preparations are already underway, his concentration is fully on what lies ahead, and he is eager for the next major challenge. Pietreczko emphasised that, regardless of the changes in the background, he will continue to give everything as usual when it comes to his performances on stage.

Disappointing start to the 2026 season

However, on the sporting front, the opening of the 2026 campaign has not gone according to plan for the German star. In the preliminary round of the Winmau World Masters, Pietreczko suffered an early setback when he was narrowly defeated 3-2 by Dutchman Jeffrey de Zwaan on Wednesday. The loss meant that he exited the tournament at the very first hurdle, a frustrating outcome as he had hoped to make a deeper run.

Following the early elimination, Pietreczko’s attention now turns quickly toward the next tasks on his calendar. His next competitive appearance is scheduled for February 9, 2026, when he returns to action in Hildesheim. The German city will host the first two events of the 2026 Players Championship season, offering Pietreczko an immediate opportunity to reset and build momentum in the months ahead.

For the moment, it remains unclear which equipment supplier Pietreczko will partner with going forward. No future agreement has yet been announced, leaving questions about what darts and setup he will use as he continues this period of transition. What is certain, though, is that Pietreczko is entering a new chapter with determination, clear objectives, and a renewed focus on achieving success at the highest level.