The full schedule for the Betfred World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens has been confirmed, with defending champion Luke Littler emerging as a clear form favourite after a sequence of dominant displays that included a nine-dart finish and multiple 100-plus averages.
Early rounds set the tone
Littler opened his defence with a 10-6 victory over Niko Springer, posting an imposing average of around 109. He then produced one of the tournament’s standout showings in the second round, beating Nathan Aspinall 11-8 while averaging roughly 113.68 and producing a nine-darter in the opening leg.
In the quarter-finals he again raised the bar, easing past Josh Rock by 16-7, averaging more than 109 and landing an exceptional 17 180s across that match. Those performances have positioned Littler as the man to beat as the event heads deeper into the week.
Stakes and format
The event runs from 18–26 July and features the top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit alongside the top 16 from the one-year ProTour list. Prize money has been increased to a total purse of £1m, with the winner scheduled to receive £225,000.
- Venue: Winter Gardens, Blackpool
- Dates: 18–26 July
- Field: Top 16 PDC Order of Merit + Top 16 ProTour one-year list
- Prize fund: £1,000,000 (winner £225,000)
Context and consequences
Littler holds the Phil Taylor Trophy after last year’s final in which he overturned a 5-0 deficit to beat James Wade 18-13, becoming the fifth player to complete darts’ Triple Crown. If he can retain the title, he would be the first to win successive World Matchplays since Michael van Gerwen achieved the feat in 2015.
The draw and session schedule confirmed by organisers set the scene for several high-profile encounters across the week. Broadcasters will carry the action live, with Sky Sports covering the tournament and streaming options available for viewers without a Sky subscription.
| Match | Score | Key stat |
|---|---|---|
| Littler v Niko Springer | 10-6 | ~109 average |
| Littler v Nathan Aspinall | 11-8 | ~113.68 average; nine-darter |
| Littler v Josh Rock | 16-7 | 17x 180s; >109 average |
With the top names confirmed and the bracket now public, attention will turn to whether Littler can convert his rich vein of form into consecutive Matchplay crowns — a run that would place him alongside the sport’s modern greats. The week in Blackpool promises high-voltage leg-to-leg drama and a sizeable reward for whoever lifts the silverware at the end of the nine-day showpiece.
