Grand Slam of Darts
Expected November 2026
World Matchplay Darts 2026 — Odds, Facts & Betting Guide
18–26 July 2026 · Winter Gardens, Blackpool, United Kingdom
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The World Matchplay is darts' great summer championship — nine nights at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, played in the sport's purest format of straight legs with no sets. The 2026 edition runs from 18 to 26 July with a record £1 million prize fund, the biggest increase in PDC history, and £225,000 to the winner.
Luke Littler defends the Phil Taylor Trophy after beating James Wade 18-13 in the 2025 final — a win that completed darts' Triple Crown of World Championship, Premier League and Matchplay. The 32-player field combines the top 16 on the world rankings with the top 16 Pro Tour earners.
Where to find the latest odds
All odds are indicative only and subject to change. New customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+.
World Matchplay Darts: fast facts
- The 2026 World Matchplay carries a £1 million prize fund — the biggest prize money increase in PDC history — with £225,000 to the winner.
- The tournament has been played at Blackpool's Winter Gardens every year since the first edition in 1994.
- Phil Taylor won the Matchplay a record 16 times, and the trophy was renamed the Phil Taylor Trophy in 2018.
- Luke Littler's 2025 victory over James Wade completed the PDC Triple Crown of World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay.
- Every match must be won by two clear legs, with up to six extra legs before a sudden-death decider — the format behind many Blackpool epics.
- The first Matchplay in 1994 was won by American Larry Butler — still the only US winner of a PDC major.
- The Women's World Matchplay is staged on finals day, with Lisa Ashton the defending champion.
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Luke Littler | Beat James Wade 18-13 to complete the Triple Crown |
| 2024 | Luke Humphries | The world No. 1's first Matchplay title |
| 2023 | Nathan Aspinall | Emotional first Matchplay win |
| 2022 | Michael van Gerwen | Third Matchplay title |
| 2021 | Peter Wright | First Matchplay for Snakebite |
| 2020 | Dimitri Van den Bergh | Won on debut, played behind closed doors in Milton Keynes |
| 2019 | Rob Cross | Added the Matchplay to his world title |
| 2018 | Gary Anderson | First winner of the renamed Phil Taylor Trophy |
| 2017 | Phil Taylor | Record-extending 16th title in his farewell year |
| 2016 | Michael van Gerwen | Second Matchplay crown |
How to bet on World Matchplay Darts
Darts is one of the most bettable sports in Britain, and the Matchplay's leg-play format makes form unusually readable: averages, checkout percentages and 180 counts are all published, and the absence of sets means the better player on the night usually wins — fewer of the format quirks that produce world championship shocks.
Match betting is the staple, with correct-score (in legs) offering bigger odds for those confident about the gap between two players. The two-clear-legs rule matters for over/under leg markets — tie-break finishes push totals beyond the standard maximum, a detail casual bettors often miss.
Tournament-long markets — most 180s, a nine-darter to be hit, highest checkout — add interest across the nine nights without hanging on single results. As ever with a nine-day festival of betting opportunities, the discipline is pacing: set a budget for the whole tournament, not per session.
Popular markets
- Outright winner
- Match winner
- Correct score (legs)
- Most 180s (match and tournament)
- Highest checkout
- Nine-dart finish specials
- Tournament 180s over/under
World Matchplay Darts 2026: your questions answered
When is the World Matchplay 2026?
The 2026 World Matchplay runs from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 26 July at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
Who won the World Matchplay in 2025?
Luke Littler beat James Wade 18-13 in the 2025 final — a win that completed his Triple Crown of World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay.
What is the World Matchplay prize money for 2026?
A record £1 million total prize fund, with £225,000 to the champion — the biggest prize money increase in PDC history.
What format is the World Matchplay?
Straight legs rather than sets, with every match needing to be won by two clear legs. Up to six extra legs are played before a sudden-death decider, which is why Blackpool produces so many marathon finishes.
Who has won the most World Matchplay titles?
Phil Taylor, with 16 — the trophy was renamed the Phil Taylor Trophy in his honour in 2018.