Former PDC Darts Professional, SkySports Darts Commentator and YouTuber with 6 tournament wins under his belt including the Iceland Open in 2023
World Matchplay Darts Information
World Matchplay Darts Blog Content
- World Matchplay Darts Preview
- World Matchplay Darts Format & Schedule
- World Matchplay Darts Last Ten Winners
- World Matchplay Darts Statistics & Records
- Darts Betting Guides on OLBG
How can I bet on the Darts ?
If you are new to darts betting then check out our darts betting guide which has information to help get started. When ready to place your darts bets check out our best bookie for darts article to see which bookie may suit your darts betting needs. There are many different darts markets, for example: Match Winner, Set Score, Total 180's, Most 180's plus many more.
Who will win the World Matchplay Darts tournament ?
OLBG's darts tipsters provide insight and analysis on contenders for the World Matchplay Tournament winner plus there will be daily match selections during the World Matchplay Darts tournament so be sure to check the daily world matchplay darts tips before placing your darts bets.
Is the World Matchplay Darts tournament Live on TV ?
The World Matchplay Darts tournament is live every day on Sky Sports in the UK.
World Matchplay Darts Preview
When is the World Matchplay Darts tournament ?
The 2027 World Matchplay Darts Tournament dates are to be confirmed.
Where is the World Matchplay Darts tournament ?
The 2027 World Matchplay Darts Tournament takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Lancashire.
Who are the favourites to win the World Matchplay Darts tournament ?
The defending World Matchplay champion is Luke Littler, take a look at the OLBG Best Darts Tipsters selections nearer to the World Matchplay Darts Tournament to see who the best profit performing darts tipsters are predicting to win.
World Matchplay Darts Format & Schedule
Format
How does the World Matchplay Darts Tournament work ?
The Betfred sponsored World Matchplay Darts tournament is the biggest summer event on the PDC calendar, featuring 32 of the world's top players.
- First Round: Best of 19 legs (first to 10, must be won by 2 clear legs, sudden death after 12-12)
- Second Round: Best of 21 legs (first to 11, 2 clear legs, sudden death after 13-13)
- Quarter Finals: Best of 31 legs (first to 16, 2 clear legs, sudden death after 18-18)
- Semi Finals: Best of 33 legs (first to 17, 2 clear legs, sudden death after 19-19)
- Final: Best of 35 legs (first to 18, 2 clear legs, sudden death after 20-20)
Schedule
- First Round (Saturday 18th to Monday 20th July)
| Player (seeding) | v | Player |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Rock (8) | 10 - 4 | Luke Woodhouse |
| Stephen Bunting (9) | 13 - 12 | Niels Zonneveld |
| Luke Littler (1) | 10 - 6 | Niko Springer |
| Nathan Aspinall (16) | 10 - 5 | Joe Cullen |
| Chris Dobey (13) | 11 - 13 | Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| Gary Anderson (12) | 10 - 2 | Ryan Joyce |
| Michael van Gerwen (4) | 10 - 6 | Andrew Gilding |
| Jonny Clayton (5) | 10 - 7 | Damon Heta |
| Ryan Searle (11) | 10 - 6 | William O'Connor |
| James Wade (6) | 10 - 7 | Jermaine Wattimena |
| Gian van Veen (3) | 10 - 6 | Krzysztof Ratajski |
| Wessel Nijman (14) | 10 - 5 | Dave Chisnall |
| Ross Smith (15) | 10 - 6 | Kevin Doets |
| Gerwyn Price (7) | 11 - 9 | Martin Schindler |
| Luke Humphries (2) | 7 - 10 | Cameron Menzies |
| Danny Noppert (10) | 3 - 10 | Rob Cross |
- Second Round (Tuesday 21st to Wednesday 22nd July)
| Player (seeding) | v | Player (seeding) |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Rock (8) | 11 - 6 | Stephen Bunting (9) |
| Luke Littler (1) | 11 - 8 | Nathan Aspinall (16) |
| Michael van Gerwen (4) | 12 - 14 | Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| Jonny Clayton (5) | 7 - 11 | Gary Anderson (12) |
| James Wade (6) | 11 - 8 | Ryan Searle (11) |
| Gian van Veen (3) | 14 - 12 | Wessel Nijman (14) |
| Cameron Menzies | 2 - 1* | Ross Smith (15) |
| Gerwyn Price (7) | 11 - 5 | Robb Cross |
*Cameron Menzies withdrew
- Quarter Finals (Thursday 23rd to Friday 24th July)
| Player (seeding) | v | Player (seeding) |
|---|---|---|
| Dirk van Duijvenbode | 16 - 13 | Gary Anderson (12) |
| Luke Littler (1) | 16 - 7 | Josh Rock (8) |
| Ross Smith (15) | 12 - 16 | Gerwyn Price (7) |
| Gian van Veen (3) | 16 - 13 | James Wade (6) |
- Semi Finals (Saturday 25th July)
| Player (seeding) | v | Player (seeding) |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Littler (1) | 17 - 5 | Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| Gerwyn Price (7) | 17 - 10 | Gian van Veen (3) |
- Final (Sunday 26th July)
| Player (seeding) | v | Player (seeding) |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Littler (1) | 18 - 9 | Gerwyn Price (7) |
For details on the World Matchplay Darts draw when available and the latest news on the tournament head over to the official PDC website.
World Matchplay Darts Last Ten Winners
Who won the World Matchplay Darts 2026 ?
England's Luke Littler retained his World Matchplay Darts title by defeating Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the final.
World Matchplay Darts Last 10 Winners
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Luke Littler | 18-9 | Gerwyn Price |
| 2025 | Luke Littler | 18-13 | James Wade |
| 2024 | Luke Humphries | 18-15 | Michael van Gerwen |
| 2023 | Nathan Aspinall | 18-6 | Jonny Clayton |
| 2022 | Michael van Gerwen | 18-14 | Gerwyn Price |
| 2021 | Peter Wright | 18-9 | Dimitri Van den Bergh |
| 2020 | Dimitri Van den Bergh | 18-10 | Gary Anderson |
| 2019 | Rob Cross | 18-13 | Michael Smith |
| 2018 | Gary Anderson | 21-19 | Mensur Suljovic |
| 2017 | Phil Taylor | 18-8 | Peter Wright |
Previous World Matchplay Darts Finalists (Active)
Of the current active players on the PDC Tour, James Wade has the most World Matchplay Final appearances which stands at 7 including 1 victory in 2007.
| Player | Finals | Won | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Wade | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| Michael van Gerwen | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Luke Littler | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Gary Anderson | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Peter Wright | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Dimitri Van den Bergh | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Gerwyn Price | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Luke Humphries | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Nathan Aspinall | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Rob Cross | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jonny Clayton | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Adrian Lewis | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mensur Suljovic | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Michael Smith | 1 | 0 | 1 |
World Matchplay Darts Statistics & Records
Most World Matchplay Darts Finals
- 17 - Phil Taylor
Most World Matchplay Darts Titles
- 16 - Phil Taylor
Nine Dart Finishes
- Phil Taylor (v Chris Mason) 2002
- Raymond van Barneveld (v Denis Ovens) 2010
- John Part (v Mark Webster) 2011
- Michael van Gerwen (v Steve Beaton) 2012
- Wes Newton (v Justin Pipe) 2012
- Phil Taylor (v Michael Smith) 2014
- Gary Anderson (v Joe Cullen) 2018
- Gerwyn Price (v Danny Noppert) 2022
- Dimitri Van den Bergh (v Martin Schindler) 2024
- Luke Littler (v Josh Rock) 2025
- Luke Littler (v Nathan Aspinall) 2026
Highest Tournament Three Dart Average
- 111.04 - Luke Littler (2026)
Highest Match Three Dart Average
- 114.99 - Phil Taylor (v Barrie Bates) 2010
Highest 'Final' Three Dart Average
- 111.53 - Luke Littler (v Gerwyn Price) 2026
Highest Match Losing Three Dart Average
- 105.92 - Adrian Lewis (v Phil Taylor) 2013
Darts Betting Guides on OLBG
- PDC World Darts Championship Betting Guide
- Masters Darts Betting Guide
- World Seniors Darts Betting Guide
- Premier League Darts Betting Guide
- UK Open Darts Betting Guide
- World Cup of Darts Betting Guide
- Grand Slam of Darts Betting Guide
World Grand Prix Darts Betting Guide
Author and Contributor Information
OLBG Sponsored Darts Professional
Matthew Edgar is a professional darts player and Sky Sports commentator, currently aiming for Lakeside 2025 via the WDF circuit. A former football coach and trained MMA fighter, he’s best known to fans through Edgar TV, his popular YouTube channel sharing insights from the oche.
Sponsored by OLBG, Matthew contributes expert darts content, combining years on the PDC tour with a passion for coaching and development. His unique blend of experience makes him a standout voice in the darts community.
Follow Matthew as he targets Lakeside and the WDF World Championships
Content Editor / Fact Checker
