Get ready for the World Matchplay 2026, the second most prestigious ranking tournament in professional darts! From the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, this summer highlight promises thrilling action with an increased prize fund up for grabs. Defending champion Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries are the undeniable favorites, making a repeat final clash seem almost inevitable. Germany will be represented by Martin Schindler and debutant Niko Springer, both eager to make their mark. The tournament kicks off on the evening of July 18th and culminates in a grand finale on July 27th, featuring a unique long-format structure and the exciting Women’s World Matchplay on the final day. Catch all the drama live on DAZN and DAZN x Pluto TV.
The Battle in Blackpool: World Matchplay 2026 Schedule
Fans can breathe a sigh of relief as a potential scheduling conflict with the Football World Cup final has been avoided. This means the World Matchplay will proceed as planned, offering a consistent and exciting viewing experience.
- Saturday, July 18, 2026 (from 8:00 PM CEST): The tournament officially begins with the opening session of the First Round.
- Sunday, July 19, 2026 (Afternoon & Evening Sessions): More First Round matches, ensuring a packed day of darts.
- Monday, July 20, 2026 (from 8:00 PM CEST): The First Round concludes.
- Tuesday, July 21 & Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (from 8:00 PM CEST): The intensity ramps up as players battle it out in the Last 16.
- Thursday, July 23 & Friday, July 24, 2026 (from 9:00 PM CEST): The Quarter-Finals commence, narrowing the field to just four contenders.
- Saturday, July 25, 2026: The highly anticipated Semi-Finals take place.
- Sunday, July 26, 2026 (Afternoon): The Women’s World Matchplay Final, featuring 8 qualified players, with Beau Greaves as the strong favorite.
- Sunday, July 26, 2026 (Evening): The grand Final of the World Matchplay, where a new champion will be crowned.
Tournament Format & Prize Money
The World Matchplay, alongside the World Championship, stands out for its extended format from the very first round, demanding endurance and consistent performance from the players.
Match Lengths:
- First Round: Best of 19 legs (first to 10 legs)
- Last 16: Best of 21 legs (first to 11 legs)
- Quarter-Finals: Best of 31 legs (first to 16 legs)
- Semi-Finals: Best of 33 legs (first to 17 legs)
- Final: Best of 35 legs (first to 18 legs)
A crucial element is the Two-Clear-Legs Rule: A match must be won by a margin of two clear legs. However, this extension is not indefinite. For example, in the First Round, a maximum score of 13-12 is possible, and in the Final, it can go up to 21-20.
Record Prize Money:
The total prize fund for the World Matchplay 2026 has seen a significant increase, rising from £800,000 to a staggering £1,000,000. Every participant is guaranteed at least £12,500.
- Winner: £225,000 (up from £200,000 last year)
- Runner-Up: £125,000
- Semi-Finalists: £65,000
- Quarter-Finalists: £35,000
- Last 16: £22,500
- First Round: £12,500
This makes the World Matchplay the ranking tournament with the highest prize money in darts, second only to the PDC World Championship.
German Hopes: Martin Schindler & Niko Springer
Germany sends two strong contenders to Blackpool, each with their own story and challenges.
Martin Schindler: Seeking a Breakthrough
Martin Schindler’s record at the World Matchplay is something he’ll be keen to improve. In his four previous appearances, he has yet to secure a single victory. Last year, despite a superb 103 average, he narrowly lost to eventual semi-finalist Jonny Clayton.
This year, Schindler faces a formidable opponent in Welshman Gerwyn Price, a player he encountered in his 2022 debut. Back then, “The Wall” put up a strong fight, even leading 7-6 against the then-world number two before Price’s class ultimately prevailed, taking him all the way to the final. Schindler will be looking to halt a recent downward trend in his form, which has seen only occasional flashes of brilliance. Price, despite decent performances, has also had somewhat average results lately and participates selectively in tournaments. His last title came in April on the European Tour, where he narrowly defeated Schindler 6-5 in the quarter-finals.
Niko Springer: The Debutant’s Challenge
For Niko Springer, the situation mirrors Schindler’s debut in 2022. Both are in their mid-20s, with some valuable TV tournament experience under their belts, and a clear path towards the Top 32 as they have no prize money to defend by year-end. The big question is how far they can go in a major tournament.
Springer faces an incredibly tough draw against the world’s best player and defending champion, Luke Littler. However, Springer has a knack for rising to the occasion against big names, often playing with a liberating freedom. He has previously defeated powerhouses like Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson at the Grand Slam of Darts. While Littler carries the immense pressure of aiming for all major titles, Springer’s ability to perform under pressure against top players makes this an intriguing first-round encounter.
The Favorites: A Two-Horse Race?
When it comes to the ultimate winner, all roads seem to lead back to Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. A repeat of their previous final clash appears increasingly likely, with many finding it harder to imagine either of them not reaching the final.
Both players have already lifted the coveted “Phil Taylor Trophy” and are aiming to become only the fourth player in history to win the tournament more than once, joining legends Phil Taylor (16 titles), Michael van Gerwen (3), and Rod Harrington (2).
Humphries will first have to navigate a tricky opening match against Cameron Menzies, a player against whom his recent encounters have been incredibly close, though always ending in Humphries’ favor.
Other Contenders and Dark Horses
While the Lukes dominate the headlines, several other players could make a significant impact:
- James Wade: Entering his 21st consecutive World Matchplay, “The Machine” is never to be underestimated on this stage.
- Gian van Veen: The third seed has been struggling for form since a health-related break and is only a slight favorite against the consistent Krzysztof Ratajski.
- Michael van Gerwen: “Mighty Mike” often struggles to string together multiple strong performances in a row, leaving question marks over his consistency.
- Jonny Clayton & Gerwyn Price: Both Welshmen are capable of challenging for the title, having each reached the final once before. Their experience and pedigree make them dangerous opponents.
- Wessel Nijman: A truly exciting prospect. The Dutchman has elevated his game significantly, winning two European Tour titles and dominating the Pro Tour unlike any player in recent years. He notably defeated Nathan Aspinall in the first round last year before exiting against James Wade. His draw against Dave Chisnall presents both an opportunity and potentially increased pressure to perform.
World Matchplay 2026 First Round Draw
Here’s a look at the opening fixtures:
Evening Session – Saturday, July 18, 2026 (from 8:00 PM CEST)
- Josh Rock (8) vs. Luke Woodhouse
- Stephen Bunting (9) vs. Niels Zonneveld
- Luke Littler (1) vs. Niko Springer
- Nathan Aspinall (16) vs. Joe Cullen
Afternoon Session – Sunday, July 19, 2026 (from 2:00 PM CEST)
- Chris Dobey (13) vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Gary Anderson (12) vs. Ryan Joyce
- Michael van Gerwen (4) vs. Andrew Gilding
- Jonny Clayton (5) vs. Damon Heta
Evening Session – Sunday, July 19, 2026 (from 8:00 PM CEST)
- Ryan Searle (11) vs. William O’Connor
- James Wade (6) vs. Jermaine Wattimena
- Gian van Veen (3) vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
- Wessel Nijman (14) vs. Dave Chisnall
Evening Session – Monday, July 20, 2026 (from 8:00 PM CEST)
- Ross Smith (15) vs. Kevin Doets
- Gerwyn Price (7) vs. Martin Schindler
- Luke Humphries (2) vs. Cameron Menzies
- Danny Noppert (10) vs. Rob Cross
Qualification for the World Matchplay
The field of 32 players is determined by a combination of the sport’s two primary ranking systems:
- The Top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit (the official world rankings).
- The Top 16 players from the Pro Tour Order of Merit (based on prize money won in Players Championship and European Tour events over the past year).
The 32 Participants
PDC Order of Merit Qualifiers (Seeded Players):
- 1. Luke Littler
- 2. Luke Humphries
- 3. Gian van Veen
- 4. Michael van Gerwen
- 5. Jonny Clayton
- 6. James Wade
- 7. Gerwyn Price
- 8. Josh Rock
- 9. Stephen Bunting
- 10. Danny Noppert
- 11. Ryan Searle
- 12. Gary Anderson
- 13. Chris Dobey
- 14. Wessel Nijman
- 15. Ross Smith
- 16. Nathan Aspinall
Pro Tour Order of Merit Qualifiers:
- Luke Woodhouse
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Kevin Doets
- Andrew Gilding
- Rob Cross
- Krzysztof Ratajski
- William O’Connor
- Niko Springer
- Niels Zonneveld
- Martin Schindler
- Ryan Joyce
- Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Cameron Menzies
- Joe Cullen
- Damon Heta
- Dave Chisnall
How to Watch the World Matchplay 2026
Darts fans can catch all the live action from the World Matchplay 2026 on:
- DAZN: This sports streaming service broadcasts all major PDC tournaments, European Tour events, and World Series events live and in HD.
- DAZN x Pluto TV: A free channel available on Pluto TV, offering another accessible way to watch the tournament.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
