World Matchplay 2026: when is it and who are the favourites?

Short answer: The World Matchplay 2026 takes place from 18 to 26 July at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Defending champion Luke Littler is the top favourite, with Luke Humphries and three-time champion Michael van Gerwen as his main challengers. A record prize fund of £1,000,000 is on offer, with £225,000 going to the winner.

The World Matchplay is the most prestigious PDC major after the World Championship. Thirty-two players spend nine days battling in the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool for the Phil Taylor Trophy, in an atmosphere that ranks among the fiercest in darts thanks to the short distance between crowd and stage.

There is plenty to look forward to. Defending champion Luke Littler arrives as the clear favourite, chased by Luke Humphries and three-time winner Michael van Gerwen, in a 32-player field mixing breakout stars with seasoned major winners.

When is the World Matchplay 2026 played?

The World Matchplay 2026 runs from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 26 July 2026 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. It is the 33rd edition of the tournament. The first round is spread across the opening weekend and Monday, the second round takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the quarter-finals are played on Thursday and Friday. The semi-finals are on Saturday, and the final closes the tournament on the evening of Sunday 26 July.

Where can you watch the World Matchplay 2026?

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, every session of the World Matchplay 2026 is broadcast live on Sky Sports, moving between Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event. In the United States the tournament is shown on ESPN, while viewers in most other countries can follow every match through the PDC’s own streaming service, PDCTV.

Who are the favourites for the title?

Luke Littler is the clear favourite. He has won every major televised title in 2026 so far and returns to defend last year’s crown. Luke Humphries, the 2024 winner, is his main challenger, while Michael van Gerwen chases a fourth title. Dutch breakout Wessel Nijman is already rated highly by bookmakers after eight ProTour titles in 2026. No player has won the World Matchplay in consecutive years since Van Gerwen in 2015 and 2016.

Which players should you watch?

The 2026 field brings together the top 16 of the PDC Order of Merit and 16 qualifiers from the ProTour. The home contingent is strong: defending champion Luke Littler opens against Germany’s Niko Springer, 2024 winner Luke Humphries faces Cameron Menzies, and 2007 champion James Wade meets Jermaine Wattimena. Scotland’s Gary Anderson, Welshmen Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, and three-time champion Michael van Gerwen complete a line-up packed with major winners.

How does the World Matchplay format work?

The World Matchplay is played entirely in legs, without sets. Every match must be won by two clear legs. If the scores are still level after the scheduled distance plus a maximum of six extra legs, a sudden-death leg decides the winner. The number of legs increases as the tournament progresses: the first round is best of 19, the final best of 35. This long format makes the tournament demanding and rewards consistency over a single hot streak.

How much prize money is on offer?

The prize fund for the World Matchplay 2026 has risen to a record £1,000,000. The winner receives £225,000, the runner-up £125,000 and the semi-finalists £65,000 each. Because the World Matchplay counts towards the two-year Order of Merit, these points weigh double: they help determine seedings for the World Championship and other majors.

Which darts do the top players use?

The biggest names in Blackpool throw with their own signature Steel Tip Darts, which are also available at Dartshopper. Luke Littler plays the Target Luke Littler range, Michael van Gerwen uses the Winmau Michael van Gerwen collection, and Luke Humphries has his own signature barrels. Anyone inspired by the tournament will find the full player collections in the Steel Tip Darts range, from starter sets to the exact setups of the professionals.

Ready for the World Matchplay 2026?

The World Matchplay 2026 promises a spectacle with Littler as favourite, a stacked 32-player field and a record prize fund at stake. Get inspired by the setups of the stars and build your own ready-to-play set: browse the full range of Steel Tip Darts and dartsets at Dartshopper.