While the darts world’s attention often gravitates towards stars like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, history shows the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool is a stage built for surprises. This year, don’t be shocked if a dark horse emerges from the pack. We’ve identified six formidable players who possess the form, nerve, and skill to not only make a deep run but potentially lift the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy, proving that consistency isn’t always the sole path to glory.
Beyond the Favorites: Why Blackpool is Ripe for an Upset
The Betfred World Matchplay, held in the iconic Winter Gardens, is renowned for its dramatic upsets and unexpected heroes. While defending champion Luke Littler and the world’s most consistent player, Luke Humphries, are undoubtedly the bookmakers’ favorites, this tournament rarely follows a predictable script. Many players find their absolute best form on this grand stage, making it a thrilling prospect for fans and a challenging one for the top seeds.
Here are six players who could defy expectations and challenge for the title:
Gian van Veen: The Young ‘Giant’ Ready to Conquer
At just 24, Dutch sensation Gian van Veen has rapidly ascended the darts hierarchy, even surpassing his mentor Michael van Gerwen as the Netherlands’ top player. His recent achievements speak volumes:
- Maiden Major Victory: Stunned Luke Humphries in a last-leg decider to claim the 2025 European Championship.
- World Championship Finalist: Reached his first World Championship final, defeating both Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson along the way.
- World Ranking #3: This incredible run propelled him to a career-high third in the world rankings, a position he holds as a seeded player for Blackpool.
‘The Giant’ arrives in Blackpool with a proven track record against the sport’s elite, making him a serious threat to anyone in the draw.
Jonny Clayton: ‘The Ferret’ Still Has Bite
Jonny “The Ferret” Clayton, at 51, continues to defy age with his unwavering nerve on the big stage. A four-major winner in 2021, Clayton has quietly built one of the most consistent careers in darts. Blackpool has been a happy hunting ground for him before:
- 2024 Matchplay Finalist: Reached the final, only to be narrowly defeated by Nathan Aspinall.
- Premier League Near Miss: Showed brilliant recent form, coming within a missed match dart of reaching the Premier League final against Luke Humphries in May.
Seeded fifth, Clayton’s experience in grinding out tough wins in the Winter Gardens makes him a formidable opponent, especially when many might be quick to write him off.
Jelle Nijman: The Floor Dominator’s Stage Test
No player enters Blackpool with a hotter streak of form than Jelle Nijman. The Dutch slinger has been relentless on the ProTour circuit in 2026, racking up an astonishing eight ranking titles and topping the European Tour standings. This incredible consistency has earned him a seeding at a major for the very first time.
While his one previous Matchplay appearance in 2025 saw him secure a statement win over former champion Nathan Aspinall before a second-round exit, the big question remains: can his dominant floor form translate to the intense pressure and bright lights of the stage? The Winter Gardens will be the ultimate proving ground for Nijman.
Martijn Woodhouse: The Late Bloomer’s Resurgence
At 37, Martijn Woodhouse is a testament to perseverance in darts. After years as a respected but often overlooked player, 2026 has been his breakthrough year:
- Maiden Ranking Title: Claimed his first ranking title at Players Championship 18.
- First European Tour Crown: Followed up just twelve days later with a victory at the Baltic Sea Darts Open.
This surge in form propelled him to Blackpool as the top-ranked ProTour qualifier, reflecting a player finally delivering on long-standing promise. ‘Woody’ has also shown he can go deep in majors, reaching the last-16 of the World Championship in consecutive years. With “unfinished business” after an agonising first-round defeat in his only previous Matchplay appearance, Woodhouse looks better equipped than ever to make his mark.
Ricky Doets: ‘Hawkeye’ Aims for a Debut Shock
Nicknamed ‘Hawkeye’, Ricky Doets makes his World Matchplay debut in Blackpool, but he’s no stranger to the big stage or causing major upsets:
- World Championship Giant-Killer: At Alexandra Palace in 2025, he produced one of the standout upsets, edging out former champion Michael Smith in a deciding-set tiebreaker.
- Another Big Scalp: Followed that up in January with another notable victory over Nathan Aspinall.
- First Ranking Title: This season also brought his maiden ranking title at Players Championship 13.
Having reached the last-16 of the World Championship in consecutive years, Doets has proven he doesn’t wilt against bigger names. With nothing to lose on his Winter Gardens debut, he could be exactly the kind of unseeded player who turns a difficult first-round draw into a genuine problem for any opponent.
Rob Cross: ‘Voltage’ Remembers How to Win Here
Few players in the field understand the unique demands and rewards of Blackpool better than Rob “Voltage” Cross. A former World Champion, Cross also boasts a World Matchplay title to his name:
- 2019 World Matchplay Champion: Beat Michael Smith in the final to lift the trophy.
- Exceptional Winter Gardens Record: Across nine appearances, he’s built one of the best win-rates in the tournament’s modern history, including four last-16 finishes alongside his title.
While he’s had a stop-start couple of seasons, requiring him to qualify via the ProTour this year, recent signs are very promising. A floor title and a European Tour final in the fortnight before the cut-off suggest that ‘Voltage’ is getting his radar back precisely when it matters most. Never count out a former champion on his favourite stage.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
