All 16 First Round Results, Upsets, Stats and Second Round Draw
The first round of the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay is in the books — and what a three days it has been at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. From Luke Littler's 109 average to the biggest shock in years as Cameron Menzies sent world number two Luke Humphries packing with a 170 checkout, the first round delivered drama at every turn.
Three seeds eliminated. Four players lost despite out-averaging their opponents. One 13-12 sudden death thriller. And every single one of our 134 bracket predictions wiped out. Here's everything that happened.
Missed our tournament preview? Read the full World Matchplay 2026 draw, schedule, prize money and how to watch guide.
Day 1 Results — Saturday 18 July (Evening)
Read our detailed Day 1 match report for full coverage of Saturday's action.
Josh Rock (8) 10-4 Luke Woodhouse
The evening's opener saw Josh Rock ease past Luke Woodhouse in a largely forgettable contest. Woodhouse missed 20 darts at doubles throughout the match, allowing Rock to cruise into the second round despite modest averages from both players.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Rock (8) | 90.42 | 10 |
| Luke Woodhouse | 88.83 | 4 |
"The two of us weren't firing on all cylinders but at the same time I'm very happy to have won." — Josh Rock
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Stephen Bunting (9) 13-12 Niels Zonneveld — Match of the Round
Stephen Bunting survived the best match of the entire first round. Leading 8-5, The Bullet saw debutant Niels Zonneveld storm back with two 10-darters and a 164 checkout to level at 8-8. Zonneveld had three match darts at 10-9 up but couldn't convert. Bunting fired a clutch 118 checkout and held his nerve in a sudden death decider to scrape through 13-12.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Bunting (9) | 94.49 | 13 |
| Niels Zonneveld | 91.29 | 12 |
Luke Littler (1) 10-6 Niko Springer
The defending champion was sensational. Luke Littler averaged 109.53 and fired in seven 180s against Austrian qualifier Niko Springer. After being pegged back to 5-5, Littler averaged over 123 across the final six legs to pull away convincingly. Want to know what Littler throws? Read our guide: Luke Littler Darts: What Does the World's Best Player Throw?
| Player | Average | 180s | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Littler (1) | 109.53 | 7 | 10 |
| Niko Springer | 97.65 | — | 6 |
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Nathan Aspinall (16) 10-5 Joe Cullen
Nathan Aspinall was magnificent, averaging 105.32 and landing a stunning 167 checkout to dispatch Joe Cullen. The Asp extended his winning run against Cullen to eight consecutive victories dating back to 2021.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan Aspinall (16) | 105.32 | 10 |
| Joe Cullen | 95.79 | 5 |
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Day 2 Results — Sunday 19 July (Afternoon)
Gary Anderson (12) 10-2 Ryan Joyce — Highest Average of the Round
Gary Anderson produced the standout performance of the entire first round. The Flying Scotsman averaged a stunning 109.96 — his best-ever World Matchplay performance in 18 years of competing — while landing 144 and 141 finishes to blow Ryan Joyce away in the most one-sided match of the round.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Anderson (12) | 109.96 | 10 |
| Ryan Joyce | 95.49 | 2 |
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Michael van Gerwen (4) 10-6 Andrew Gilding
Michael van Gerwen progressed comfortably, narrowly missing double 12 for what would have been a nine-darter in the sixth leg. Despite averaging under 95, MvG's class shone through against Andrew Gilding. The three-time Matchplay champion will be hoping for better as the tournament progresses.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Michael van Gerwen (4) | 94.85 | 10 |
| Andrew Gilding | 88.54 | 6 |
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Jonny Clayton (5) 10-7 Damon Heta
Jonny Clayton showed his big-stage pedigree with a 121 bullseye finish and a 144 checkout to see off Damon Heta in a tight, quality contest. Just over a leg separated the two players on averages, but Clayton's finishing was the difference.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jonny Clayton (5) | 97.63 | 10 |
| Damon Heta | 96.10 | 7 |
Dirk van Duijvenbode 13-11 Chris Dobey (13) — UPSET
The first major upset of the tournament — and a painful one for Chris Dobey. The 13th seed actually out-averaged Dirk van Duijvenbode (97.35 to 92.78) but was betrayed by his finishing. Dobey missed four match darts and 29 doubles overall, allowing the Aubergenius to capitalise and complete a famous tie-break victory.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dirk van Duijvenbode | 92.78 | 13 |
| Chris Dobey (13) | 97.35 | 11 |
Day 2 Results — Sunday 19 July (Evening)
Gian van Veen (3) 10-6 Krzysztof Ratajski
Another match where the loser out-averaged the winner. Gian van Veen landed two 144 checkouts early and a crucial 160 finish in the 13th leg to break Krzysztof Ratajski's throw and pull away, despite the Polish Eagle averaging higher (95.55 to 93.55). Van Veen called it a "confidence-boosting win" after recent struggles on the circuit.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Gian van Veen (3) | 93.55 | 10 |
| Krzysztof Ratajski | 95.55 | 6 |
Wessel Nijman (14) 10-5 Dave Chisnall
Wessel Nijman was dominant from the off, winning the first four legs and leading 6-1 before sealing victory with a 108 checkout. The 14th seed — who has won eight titles in 2026 — looks a serious threat in the bottom half of the draw.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wessel Nijman (14) | 98.63 | 10 |
| Dave Chisnall | 94.47 | 5 |
James Wade (6) 10-7 Jermaine Wattimena
Three-time Matchplay champion James Wade ground out a win on his record-extending appearance at the Winter Gardens. The Machine admitted he was "really, really lucky" and deliberately slowed the pace to nullify Jermaine Wattimena's aggressive throw.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| James Wade (6) | 96.19 | 10 |
| Jermaine Wattimena | 92.87 | 7 |
Ryan Searle (11) 10-6 William O'Connor
Ryan Searle raced into a 6-1 lead before William O'Connor — on his Matchplay debut — battled back to 8-6. Heavy Duty held firm to close out a 10-6 victory, despite O'Connor actually outscoring him on average (95.18 to 94.98). Doubles again proving decisive.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Searle (11) | 94.98 | 10 |
| William O'Connor | 95.18 | 6 |
Day 3 Results — Monday 20 July
Cameron Menzies 10-7 Luke Humphries (2) — SHOCK OF THE TOURNAMENT
The biggest upset of the 2026 World Matchplay — and one of the biggest first round shocks in the tournament's 33-year history. Cameron Menzies stunned world number two Luke Humphries with a fearless display crowned by a 170 checkout — the maximum finish — to seal an unforgettable 10-7 victory.
Menzies hit a double-double 129 finish to lead 3-2 early and built a commanding 7-3 advantage. Humphries — who hit a 167 checkout of his own — mounted a fightback, but it was the Scotsman who held his nerve when it mattered. Wayne Mardle called it "his best-ever win." Just weeks earlier, Humphries and Littler had won the World Cup of Darts together in Frankfurt.
"No one gave me hope! I didn't give myself hope but I finally won a game at the Winter Gardens." — Cameron Menzies
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Menzies | 97.83 | 10 |
| Luke Humphries (2) | 99.56 | 7 |
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Ross Smith (15) 10-6 Kevin Doets
Ross Smith raced into a 5-0 lead and looked in total control, averaging 100.55 and sealing the win with a 120 Shanghai finish. Remarkably, Kevin Doets actually averaged higher across the match (104.19) — hitting a spectacular 161 checkout on the bullseye — but his slow start and doubles trouble proved his undoing. The fourth match of the round where the losing player out-averaged the winner.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Smith (15) | 100.55 | 10 |
| Kevin Doets | 104.19 | 6 |
Gerwyn Price (7) 11-9 Martin Schindler — Comeback of the Round
Gerwyn Price produced the comeback of the round. Trailing 4-0 and 6-2 to Martin Schindler, The Iceman roared back in front of a raucous Blackpool crowd, punishing Schindler's errors on the outer ring. Price pinned a 128 checkout along the way, but admitted afterwards it was "the worst I've played all season." Want to know what darts The Iceman uses? Read our guide: Gerwyn Price Darts: What Does the Iceman Throw?
"Without the crowd, I would have lost today." — Gerwyn Price
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Gerwyn Price (7) | 93.88 | 11 |
| Martin Schindler | 90.69 | 9 |
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Rob Cross 10-3 Danny Noppert (10) — UPSET
Rob Cross delivered the most emphatic upset of the round, demolishing 10th seed Danny Noppert. The 2019 Matchplay champion led 5-0 at the interval and never let up, averaging 97.41 with 52.6% doubles accuracy and landing a 128 checkout. Noppert managed just 91.80 and was never in the match. Cross recently won Players Championship 22 in Wigan, and this performance underlines he remains a serious force on the big stage.
| Player | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Rob Cross | 97.41 | 10 |
| Danny Noppert (10) | 91.80 | 3 |
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Complete First Round Results at a Glance
| Day | Winner | Score | Loser | Winner Avg | Loser Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat | Rock (8) | 10-4 | Woodhouse | 90.42 | 88.83 |
| Sat | Bunting (9) | 13-12 | Zonneveld | 94.49 | 91.29 |
| Sat | Littler (1) | 10-6 | Springer | 109.53 | 97.65 |
| Sat | Aspinall (16) | 10-5 | Cullen | 105.32 | 95.79 |
| Sun | Anderson (12) | 10-2 | Joyce | 109.96 | 95.49 |
| Sun | MvG (4) | 10-6 | Gilding | 94.85 | 88.54 |
| Sun | Clayton (5) | 10-7 | Heta | 97.63 | 96.10 |
| Sun | van Duijvenbode | 13-11 | Dobey (13) | 92.78 | 97.35 |
| Sun | van Veen (3) | 10-6 | Ratajski | 93.55 | 95.55 |
| Sun | Nijman (14) | 10-5 | Chisnall | 98.63 | 94.47 |
| Sun | Wade (6) | 10-7 | Wattimena | 96.19 | 92.87 |
| Sun | Searle (11) | 10-6 | O'Connor | 94.98 | 95.18 |
| Mon | Menzies | 10-7 | Humphries (2) | 97.83 | 99.56 |
| Mon | R. Smith (15) | 10-6 | Doets | 100.55 | 104.19 |
| Mon | Price (7) | 11-9 | Schindler | 93.88 | 90.69 |
| Mon | Cross | 10-3 | Noppert (10) | 97.41 | 91.80 |
Biggest Shocks and Talking Points
1. Humphries Out — Menzies Produces Upset of the Year
The world number two and 2024 World Champion Luke Humphries was the overwhelming favourite to reach at least the latter stages — 127 out of our 134 bracket predictors had him winning this match. Cameron Menzies had other ideas, producing a 170 checkout to seal the biggest shock of the tournament. It's the first time since 2019 that the world number two has fallen in the first round.
2. Four Players Lost Despite Outscoring Their Opponents
The Matchplay format is all about finishing — and four players found that out the hard way. Dobey (97.35), Ratajski (95.55), O'Connor (95.18), and Doets (104.19) all out-averaged their opponents but still lost. Doets averaged an incredible 104.19 — the third highest of the round — and was still beaten 10-6. Doubles win matches.
3. Anderson's 109.96 Average — The Performance of the Round
At 53 years old, Gary Anderson posted the highest average of the entire first round. His 109.96 against Joyce was his best-ever World Matchplay performance in 18 years of competing. If Anderson can maintain anything close to this level, Clayton has a huge task in the second round.
4. Cross is the Dangerous Floater
Rob Cross hammered 10th seed Noppert 10-3 — the most emphatic result of the round. The 2019 champion is now an unseeded player in Gerwyn Price's section of the draw, and on this form, he's nobody's preferred second round opponent.
5. Price's Houdini Act
Gerwyn Price trailed 4-0 and 6-2 against Martin Schindler before mounting an extraordinary comeback to win 11-9. Even Price admitted it was his worst performance of the season — but the Blackpool crowd willed him through.
First Round Stats Leaders
| Category | Player | Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Average | Gary Anderson | 109.96 vs Joyce |
| 2nd Highest Average | Luke Littler | 109.53 vs Springer |
| 3rd Highest Average | Nathan Aspinall | 105.32 vs Cullen |
| Highest Losing Average | Kevin Doets | 104.19 (lost 10-6) |
| Biggest Checkout | Cameron Menzies | 170 (Big Fish) |
| Most Dominant Win | Gary Anderson | 10-2 vs Joyce |
| Best Comeback | Gerwyn Price | 0-4 down, won 11-9 |
| Match of the Round | Bunting vs Zonneveld | 13-12 (sudden death) |
Seeds Eliminated
Three seeds fell in the first round, blowing the draw wide open:
- Luke Humphries (2) — lost 10-7 to Cameron Menzies
- Chris Dobey (13) — lost 13-11 to Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Danny Noppert (10) — lost 10-3 to Rob Cross
Second Round Draw
The second round runs Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 July, with matches played over best of 21 legs (first to 11). Here are the eight ties:
| # | Second Round Tie | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Littler (1) vs Nathan Aspinall (16) | Defending champion vs Day 1's form player. Combined R1 averages of 214.85. |
| 2 | Josh Rock (8) vs Stephen Bunting (9) | Can Bunting recover from a 25-leg war? Rock's R1 was a cruise by comparison. |
| 3 | Michael van Gerwen (4) vs Dirk van Duijvenbode | All-Dutch battle. MvG chasing a fourth title; van Duijvenbode riding high after the Dobey upset. |
| 4 | Jonny Clayton (5) vs Gary Anderson (12) | Anderson's 109.96 average makes him the most dangerous opponent in the draw. |
| 5 | Cameron Menzies vs Ross Smith (15) | Humphries' conqueror rides the wave. Smith was quietly brilliant with a 100.55 average. |
| 6 | Gerwyn Price (7) vs Rob Cross | Two former major champions collide. Price scraped through 11-9; Cross was devastating at 10-3. |
| 7 | Gian van Veen (3) vs Wessel Nijman (14) | Dutch derby — two of the Netherlands' brightest young talents. Nijman has 8 titles in 2026. |
| 8 | James Wade (6) vs Ryan Searle (11) | Three-time champion Wade against Searle's power game. Wade's Matchplay experience is unmatched. |
Quarter-Final Paths
Looking further ahead, here's how the bracket shapes up for the quarter-finals (Thursday 24 / Friday 25 July):
- QF1: Littler/Aspinall vs Rock/Bunting
- QF2: MvG/van Duijvenbode vs Clayton/Anderson
- QF3: Menzies/Smith vs Price/Cross
- QF4: van Veen/Nijman vs Wade/Searle
With Humphries out, the bottom half of the draw is wide open. Menzies, Cross, and Ross Smith will all fancy their chances of reaching the semi-finals from that section.
Bracket Predictor: Total Wipeout
Remember those 134 bracket predictions submitted on our Matchplay Bracket Predictor before the tournament began? After the first round... every single one has been eliminated. Zero survivors. Nobody predicted all 16 first round results correctly.
The damage breakdown tells the story:
| Result | Picked Wrong | % Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Menzies bt Humphries | 127 / 134 | 94.8% |
| van Duijvenbode bt Dobey | 93 / 134 | 69.4% |
| R. Smith bt Doets | 90 / 134 | 67.2% |
| Cross bt Noppert | 61 / 134 | 45.5% |
| Rock bt Woodhouse | 39 / 134 | 29.1% |
| Wade bt Wattimena | 26 / 134 | 19.4% |
| Bunting bt Zonneveld | 23 / 134 | 17.2% |
| Searle bt O'Connor | 21 / 134 | 15.7% |
The combination of three seeded upsets was simply too much for any bracket to survive. Check where your prediction fell on our Bracket Predictor.
How to Watch the Second Round
The second round of the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay is live on Sky Sports from Tuesday 22 July. Sessions run at:
- 1pm BST — Afternoon session (2 matches)
- 7pm BST — Evening session (2 matches)
Coverage is on Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event. The tournament continues through to the final on Sunday 26 July, with the winner taking home £200,000 from the £1 million prize fund.
Read our full World Matchplay 2026 schedule and how to watch guide for the complete tournament overview.
Shop World Matchplay Players
Get kitted out with official darts, flights, shirts and accessories from the stars of Blackpool:
- Luke Littler Shop — Darts, flights & accessories
- Nathan Aspinall Shop — Darts & gear
- Josh Rock Shop — Darts & accessories
- Stephen Bunting Shop
- Gary Anderson Shop — Darts & gear
- Michael van Gerwen Shop — Darts & gear
- Gerwyn Price Shop — Darts & gear
- Rob Cross Shop
- Luke Humphries Shop — Darts & gear
- Browse All Players
Looking for dart cases, dartboards, or shafts? Free UK delivery on orders over £50. Shop the latest Target darts and sale items at ArrowHeadz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first round of the 2026 World Matchplay?
The 16 first round winners were: Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall, Josh Rock, Stephen Bunting, Michael van Gerwen, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Jonny Clayton, Gary Anderson, Gian van Veen, Wessel Nijman, Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross, Cameron Menzies, Ross Smith, James Wade, and Ryan Searle.
Which seeds were knocked out in the first round?
Three seeds were eliminated: Luke Humphries (2) lost 10-7 to Cameron Menzies, Chris Dobey (13) lost 13-11 to Dirk van Duijvenbode, and Danny Noppert (10) lost 10-3 to Rob Cross.
Who had the highest average in the first round?
Gary Anderson posted the highest first round average of 109.96 in his 10-4 victory over Ryan Joyce. Luke Littler (109.53) and Nathan Aspinall (105.32) also averaged over 100.
How many bracket predictions survived the first round?
Zero. All 134 bracket predictions submitted before the tournament were eliminated by the end of the first round. The combination of three seeded upsets — Humphries, Dobey, and Noppert all losing — meant no prediction correctly picked all 16 first round results.
What is the World Matchplay second round format?
The second round is played over best of 21 legs (first to 11), with a tie-break if the match reaches 10-10. This is a step up from the first round's best of 19 format.
Where is the 2026 World Matchplay held?
The tournament takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England. It runs from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 27 July 2026.
