The Betfred World Matchplay 2026 returns to the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool from 18-26 July 2026. One of the most prestigious events on the PDC calendar, the World Matchplay brings together the top 32 players in the world to compete for a record £1,000,000 prize fund and the Phil Taylor Trophy.
Defending champion Luke Littler will look to retain his title after a stunning 18-13 victory over James Wade in last year's final. At just 19 years old, Littler is already one of the most dominant forces in professional darts and arrives in Blackpool as the number one seed.
Tournament Details
| Tournament | Betfred World Matchplay 2026 |
| Venue | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| Dates | 18-26 July 2026 |
| Prize Fund | £1,000,000 |
| Defending Champion | Luke Littler |
| TV (UK) | Sky Sports |
| Players | 32 |
First Round Draw
The draw was confirmed on 9 July. The top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit are seeded and drawn against the 16 qualifiers from the ProTour Order of Merit. Here is the full first round draw:
| Seed | Match |
|---|---|
| [1] | Luke Littler vs Niko Springer |
| [16] | Nathan Aspinall vs Joe Cullen |
| [8] | Josh Rock vs Luke Woodhouse |
| [9] | Stephen Bunting vs Niels Zonneveld |
| [4] | Michael van Gerwen vs Andrew Gilding |
| [13] | Chris Dobey vs Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| [5] | Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta |
| [12] | Gary Anderson vs Ryan Joyce |
| [2] | Luke Humphries vs Cameron Menzies |
| [15] | Ross Smith vs Kevin Doets |
| [7] | Gerwyn Price vs Martin Schindler |
| [10] | Danny Noppert vs Rob Cross |
| [3] | Gian van Veen vs Krzysztof Ratajski |
| [14] | Wessel Nijman vs Dave Chisnall |
| [6] | James Wade vs Jermaine Wattimena |
| [11] | Ryan Searle vs William O'Connor |
Matches to Watch
Danny Noppert vs Rob Cross is arguably the standout first round tie, pitting two former major winners against each other. Cross, the 2018 World Champion, will be looking to prove he still has what it takes against Noppert, who claimed the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts title.
Gary Anderson vs Ryan Joyce is another intriguing matchup. Anderson, a two-time World Champion and three-time World Matchplay finalist, brings a wealth of experience to the Blackpool stage, while Joyce has been in strong form on the ProTour this season.
Wessel Nijman vs Dave Chisnall could also produce fireworks. Chisnall is a proven performer at the Winter Gardens with multiple quarter-final appearances, but Nijman has been one of the breakthrough players of 2026.
Schedule
| Round | Dates | Format |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | Saturday 18 - Monday 20 July | Best of 19 legs |
| Second Round | Tuesday 21 - Wednesday 22 July | Best of 21 legs |
| Quarter-Finals | Thursday 23 - Friday 24 July | Best of 31 legs |
| Semi-Finals | Saturday 25 July | Best of 33 legs |
| Final | Sunday 26 July | Best of 35 legs |
Evening sessions begin at 7:00pm on the opening Saturday, with subsequent evening sessions starting at 8:00pm. Sunday 19 July features a double session with an afternoon start at 1:00pm and an evening session at 7:00pm. The final on Sunday 26 July begins at 8:00pm, with the Women's World Matchplay taking place in the afternoon session.
Prize Money Breakdown
The 2026 World Matchplay features a record prize fund of £1,000,000, up from £800,000 last year. Here is the full breakdown:
| Stage | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | £225,000 |
| Runner-Up | £125,000 |
| Semi-Finalists (x2) | £65,000 |
| Quarter-Finalists (x4) | £35,000 |
| Second Round (x8) | £22,500 |
| First Round (x16) | £12,500 |
How to Watch
Every session of the 2026 World Matchplay is broadcast live. Here is where to watch depending on your location:
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports (Sky Sports Action / Sky Sports Main Event)
- United States: ESPN
- Australia & New Zealand: Fox Sports / Sky Sport
- Germany, Austria & Switzerland: DAZN
- Netherlands, Scandinavia & Iceland: Viaplay
- Belgium: VTM
- France: L'Équipe
- Hungary: AMC
- Czechia & Slovakia: Nova
- Rest of World: PDCTV (subscription required)
Format Explained
The World Matchplay uses a unique format compared to other PDC events. All matches are played in a legs format with no sets, and if the scores are level at the end of regulation, a sudden-death leg decides the winner. This format creates some of the most dramatic finishes in darts.
The first round is best of 19 legs, meaning the first player to 10 legs wins. If the match reaches 9-9, a sudden-death leg is played, with the player who throws first determined by a bullseye shoot-off. This format continues through the tournament, with the final being a best of 35 legs marathon with a sudden-death leg at 17-17.
History of the World Matchplay
The World Matchplay has been held at Blackpool's Winter Gardens since 1994 and is widely regarded as the second most prestigious tournament in darts behind the World Championship. Phil Taylor dominated the event with a record 16 titles, and the winner's trophy is now named in his honour.
Recent winners include Luke Littler (2025), Luke Humphries (2024) and Nathan Aspinall (2023). Michael van Gerwen has won the title three times, while Gary Anderson has been a three-time finalist.
Shop the Players
Browse the official darts collections for every player competing at the 2026 World Matchplay. From signature barrels to matching flights, shafts and accessories, ArrowHeadz stocks the gear used by the world's best players.
- Luke Littler Collection | Luke Humphries Collection | Michael van Gerwen Collection
- Gerwyn Price Collection | Gary Anderson Collection | Josh Rock Collection
- Rob Cross Collection | Jonny Clayton Collection | Gian van Veen Collection
- Nathan Aspinall Collection | James Wade Collection | Chris Dobey Collection
Browse all darts or shop by brand: Target, Red Dragon, Winmau, Unicorn and Harrows.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the World Matchplay 2026?
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay takes place from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 26 July 2026 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
How much prize money does the World Matchplay winner get?
The 2026 World Matchplay winner receives £225,000 from a total prize fund of £1,000,000. The runner-up earns £125,000, with semi-finalists receiving £65,000 each.
Who won the World Matchplay last year?
Luke Littler won the 2025 World Matchplay, defeating James Wade 18-13 in the final. Littler is the defending champion for the 2026 event.
How can I watch the World Matchplay?
In the UK, the World Matchplay is broadcast live on Sky Sports. In the US, coverage is on ESPN. International viewers can watch via DAZN (Germany/Austria/Switzerland), Viaplay (Netherlands/Scandinavia), or PDCTV for the rest of the world.
What format is the World Matchplay?
The World Matchplay is played in a legs format (no sets). The first round is best of 19 legs, increasing through the rounds to a best of 35 legs final. If scores are level at the end, a sudden-death leg decides the winner.
Who has won the most World Matchplay titles?
Phil Taylor holds the record with 16 World Matchplay titles. The trophy is now named the Phil Taylor Trophy in his honour.
