The 2026 Matchplay is just around the corner so here is everything you need to know about the men’s and women’s tournaments, live on Sky Sports…
Luke Littler lifted the Phil Taylor Trophy for the first time 12 months ago and will begin his title defence against up-and-comer Niko Springer.
The teenage sensation beat James Wade 18-13 in the final of last year’s event, recovering from 5-0 down to seal an enthralling comeback victory and become the fifth player in history to complete the ‘Triple Crown’.
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Watch the winning moment as Luke Littler sealed his maiden World Matchplay title with a 18-13 victory over former youngest champion James Wade.
When and where is the World Matchplay?
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will take place from July 18-26 at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, as a star-studded 32-player field compete for the boosted prize.
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During the World Matchplay final Luke Littler almost nailed his second nine-darter of the tournament, as he missed the eighth dart of the leg.
Prize purses for the 2026 event have been increased to £1m, with the winner set to pocket £225,000.
The first round of the sport’s summer showpiece sees the world’s top 16 players seeded and pitted against the top 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Rankings.
Who is taking part in the men’s event?
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A comparison between Luke Littler’s perfect leg and the vintage nine-darter made my Michael Smith in the 2023 World Darts Championship.
Littler will take centre stage as he looks to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2015 to go back-to-back in Blackpool but there are many other stars to look out for.
2024 champion Luke Humphries stars with a huge clash against Cameron Menzies, while the likes of Gian van Veen, James Wade, Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson will also stake their claim.
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Highlights of Luke Littler against Josh Rock in the semi-final of the World Matchplay.
(1) Luke Littler v Niko Springer
(16) Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen
(8) Josh Rock v Luke Woodhouse
(9) Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonneveld
(4) Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding
(13) Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode
(5) Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta
(12) Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce
(2) Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies
(15) Ross Smith v Kevin Doets
(7) Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler
(10) Danny Noppert v Rob Cross
(3) Gian van Veen v Krzysztof Ratajski
(14) Wessel Nijman v Dave Chisnall
(6) James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena
(11) Ryan Searle v William O’Connor
What is the format?
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Luke Littler hit a nine-darter during his semi-final against Josh Rock at the World Matchplay.
The World Matchplay is a legs format, with the number of legs required to win increasing as the rounds go on.
Each match must be won by two clear legs, unless the score is tied after the fifth ‘additional’ leg at which point sudden death takes place.
- Round 1: first to 10 legs (sudden death at 12-12)
- Round 2: first to 11 legs (sudden death at 13-13)
- Quarter-finals: first to 16 legs (sudden death at 18-18)
- Semi-finals: first to 17 legs (sudden death at 19-19)
- Final: first to 18 legs (sudden death at 20-20)
Who are the previous winners?
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Luke Littler shares his reaction after winning the World Matchplay title and becoming the youngest ever champion in the competition.
The World Matchplay has a long list of stellar winners, with Littler heading into the 2026 tournament as defending champion.
The first winner was Larry Butler back in 1994 before Phil Taylor then picked up his first win of 16 (yes, 16) in 1995.
Taylor also won the 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017 Matchplays.
During his 2002 win, Taylor also threw the first ever televised nine-darter and such dominance led to the trophy being renamed after him in 2018.
Other winners include Michael van Gerwen (2015, 2016 and 2022), Gary Anderson (2018), Rob Cross (2019), Dimitri Van den Bergh (2020), Peter Wright (2021), Nathan Aspinall (2023), and Luke Humphries (2024).
What is the prize fund?
- Winner: £225,000
- Runner-up: £125,000
- Semi-finalists: £65,000
- Quarter-finalists: £35,000
- Second round: £22,500
- First round: £12,500
When is the women’s World Matchplay?
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Highlights of the final of the Women’s World Matchplay as Lisa Ashton took on Fallon Sherrock.
The fifth staging of the Women’s World Matchplay will be held on the afternoon of Sunday July 26 at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, live on Sky Sports.
Eight of the top women’s players in the world will battle it out to be crowned champion as Lisa Ashton looks to defend her title.
Who is in the women’s event?
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Lisa Ashton beat Beau Greaves in the semi-final of the Women’s World Matchplay.
Alongside defending champion Ashton, there will be two-time winner Beau Greaves and 2022 champion Fallon Sherrock, with Gemma Hayter and Vicky Pruim also included.
Deta Hedman and Rhian O’Sullivan will also feature, with Finnish star Kirsi Viinikainen taking the final spot on offer.
Draw Bracket
(1) Beau Greaves vs (8) Kirsi Viinikainen
(4) Gemma Hayter vs (5) Vicky Pruim
(2) Lisa Ashton vs (7) Rhian O’Sullivan
(3) Fallon Sherrock vs (6) Deta Hedman
Prize Money
Winner: £15,000
Runner-Up: £8,000
Semi-Finalists: £4,500
Quarter-Finalists: £2,000
Total: £40,000
What is the format?
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Lisa Ashton hit this big 140 finish during her semi-final against Beau Greaves at the Women’s World Matchplay.
The Women’s World Matchplay is also a legs format, with the number of legs required to win increasing as the rounds go on.
The Women’s World Matchplay starts with quarter-finals which are the best of seven legs before the semi-finals being competed in a best of nine legs format.
The final is then the best of 11 legs.
When is the World Matchplay live on Sky Sports?
The World Matchplay commences on Saturday, July 18 and ends on Sunday, July 26.
All nine days of the event will be shown live on Sky Sports, with coverage of the opening day commencing on Sky Sports+ at 7pm Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW
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