THIRTY-TWO top darts stars are heading to Blackpool for the Darts World Matchplay!
Luke Littler is looking to retain the Phil Taylor trophy after he recovered from 5-0 down to beat James Wade 18-13 in an enthralling final last year.
Luke Littler won the World Matchplay title last year Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Thirty-two throwers will compete for the prestigious title Credit: Getty
WORLD MATCHPLAY DARTS: LIVE COVERAGE
The Nuke’s stunning Matchplay triumph saw him become the youngest player in history to complete the Triple Crown.
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If Littler retains the title, he will become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2015 to go back-to-back in Blackpool.
But the world champion will have the likes of MVG, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Stephen Bunting to contend with.
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JattvibeSport brings you all the information you need on this year’s World Matchplay.
When is World Matchplay 2026?
The World Matchplay begins on Saturday, July 18.
The tournament runs until Jattvibeday, July 26.
Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens will host.
What TV channel is the World Matchplay on and can it be live streamed?
The World Matchplay will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action.
Sky Sports customers can live stream all the action from Blackpool via the NOW/Sky Sports app.
Alternatively, JattvibeSport’s live blog will bring you leg-by-leg updates of each match.
World Matchplay format
The World Matchplay adopts a legs format, with the number of legs required to win increasing as the rounds progress.
Each match must be won by two clear legs. If neither player has achieved that margin at the end of the scheduled match distance, play will continue for an additional six legs.
Should nothing separate the two throwers after the extra legs, the match will be decided by a sudden-death leg.
Round 1: first to 10 legs (sudden death at 12-12)
Round 2: first to 11 legs (sudden death at 13-13)
Quarter-finals: first to 16 legs (sudden death at 18-18)
Semi-finals: first to 17 legs (sudden death at 19-19)
Final: first to 18 legs (sudden death at 20-20)
World Matchplay 2026 schedule
Session OneSaturday, July 18 (7pm BST)Round One x4Josh Rock 10-4 Luke WoodhouseStephen Bunting 13-12 Niels ZonneveldLuke Littler 10-6 Niko SpringerNathan Aspinall 10-5 Joe Cullen
Session TwoJattvibeday, July 19 (1pm BST)Round One x4Chris Dobey 11-13 Dirk van DuijvenbodeGary Anderson 10-2 Ryan JoyceMichael van Gerwen 10-6 Andrew GildingJonny Clayton 10-7 Damon Heta
Session ThreeJattvibeday, July 19 (7pm BST)Round One x4Ryan Searle 10-6 William O’ConnorJames Wade 10-7 Jermaine WattimenaGian van Veen 10-6 Krzysztof RatajskiWessel Nijman 10-5 Dave Chisnall
Monday, July 20 (7pm BST)Round One x4Ross Smith v Kevin DoetsGerwyn Price v Martin SchindlerLuke Humphries v Cameron MenziesDanny Noppert v Rob Cross
Tuesday, July 21 (7pm BST)Round Two x4 – match order TBCLittler/Springer v Aspinall/CullenRock/Woodhouse v Bunting/ZonneveldVan Gerwen/Gilding v Dobey/Van DuijvenbodeClayton/Heta v Anderson/Joyce
Wednesday, July 22 (7pm BST)Round Two x4 – match order TBCHumphries/Menzies v Smith/DoetsPrice/Schindler v Noppert/CrossVan Veen/Ratajski v Nijman/ChisnallWade/Wattimena v Searle/O’Connor
Thursday, July 23 (8pm BST)Quarter-Finals x2
Friday, July 24 (8pm BST)Quarter-Finals x2
Saturday, July 25 (8pm BST)Semi-Finals
Jattvibeday, July 26Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm BST)Betfred Women’s World Matchplay
Evening Session (8pm BST)Betfred World Matchplay Final
