The World Matchplay schedule has been confirmed.
Luke Littler began the defence of his crown against Niko Springer, in which he came up with a monster 109 average for a 10-6 victory.
In his second round clash, Littler beat Nathan Aspinall in a classic 11-8 averaging 113.68 and having produced a nine-darter in the opening leg.
Then, he booked his spot in the semis with a dominant 16-7 win over Josh Rock, averaging over 109 once again and taking out 17 180s.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the thrilling second-round clash between Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall at the World Matchplay
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the winning moment as Littler sealed his maiden World Matchplay title with a 18-13 victory over former youngest champion Wade
Defending champion Littler clinched the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy after beating 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’.
If Littler can keep hold of the trophy, he will become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2015 to go back-to-back in Blackpool.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the round one clash between Luke Littler and Niko Springer at the World Matchplay
The event features the top 16 players from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder as well as the best 16 players from the one-year ProTour rankings.
Prize purses for the 2026 event have been boosted to £1m, with the winner set to pocket £225,000.
Betfred World Matchplay – Session schedule
All times UK and Ireland
Session One
Saturday July 18
Round One x4
Josh Rock 10-4 Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting 13-12 Niels Zonneveld
Luke Littler 10-6 Niko Springer
Nathan Aspinall 10-5 Joe Cullen
Session Two
Sunday July 19
Round One x4
Chris Dobey 11-13 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gary Anderson 10-2 Ryan Joyce
Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Andrew Gilding
Jonny Clayton 10-7 Damon Heta
Session Three
Sunday July 19
Round One x4
Ryan Searle 10-6 William O’Connor
James Wade 10-7 Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen 10-6 Krzysztof Ratajski
Wessel Nijman 10-5 Dave Chisnall
Monday July 20
Round One x4
Luke Humphries 7-10 Cameron Menzies
Gerwyn Price 11-9 Martin Schindler
Rob Cross 10-3 Danny Noppert
Ross Smith 10-6 Kevin Doets
Tuesday July 21
Round Two x4 – match order TBC
Jonny Clayton 7-11 Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen 12-14 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Littler 11-8 Nathan Aspinall
Josh Rock 11-6 Stephen Bunting
Wednesday July 22
Round Two x4
Cameron Menzies withdraws vs Ross Smith
Gian Van Veen 14-12 Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price 1-5 Rob Cross
James Wade 11-8 Ryan Searle
Thursday July 23
Luke Littler 16-7Josh Rock
Gary Anderson 13-16 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Friday July 24
Gian van Veen 16-13 James Wade
Gerwyn Price 16-12 Ross Smith
Saturday July 25 (8pm*)
Semi-finals
Gerwyn Price vs Gian van Veen
Luke Littler vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
Sunday July 26
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Betfred Women’s World Matchplay
Evening Session (8pm*)
Betfred World Matchplay Final
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
During the World Matchplay final Littler almost nailed his second nine-darter of the tournament
Top 16 qualifiers from the Werner Ladder
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A comparison between Littler’s perfect leg and the vintage nine-darter made by Michael Smith in the 2023 World Darts Championship
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
Top 16 Qualifiers from ProTour Rankings
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of Littler against Josh Rock in the semi-final of the 2025 World Matchplay
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
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
