World Matchplay 2026: All you need to know as Littler defends his title

The 2026 Matchplay is just around the corner so here is everything you need to know about the men's and women's tournaments, live on Sky Sports...

Luke Littler lifted the Phil Taylor Trophy for the first time 12 months ago and will begin his title defence against up-and-comer Niko Springer.

The teenage sensation beat 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'.

• Littler faces Springer as Matchplay draw confirmed
• Women's World Matchplay field confirmed
• Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results
• Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app
• Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW

When and where is the World Matchplay?

The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will take place from July 18-26 at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, as a star-studded 32-player field compete for the boosted prize.

Prize purses for the 2026 event have been increased to £1m, with the winner set to pocket £225,000.

The first round of the sport's summer showpiece sees the world's top 16 players seeded and pitted against the top 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Rankings.

Who is taking part in the men's event?

Littler will take centre stage as he looks to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2015 to go back-to-back in Blackpool but there are many other stars to look out for.

2024 champion Luke Humphries stars with a huge clash against Cameron Menzies, while the likes of Gian van Veen, James Wade, Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson will also stake their claim.

(1) Luke Littler v Niko Springer

(16) Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen

(8) Josh Rock v Luke Woodhouse

(9) Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonneveld

(4) Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding

(13) Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode

(5) Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta

(12) Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce

(2) Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies

(15) Ross Smith v Kevin Doets

(7) Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler

(10) Danny Noppert v Rob Cross

(3) Gian van Veen v Krzysztof Ratajski

(14) Wessel Nijman v Dave Chisnall

(6) James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena

(11) Ryan Searle v William O'Connor

What is the format?

The World Matchplay is a legs format, with the number of legs required to win increasing as the rounds go on.

Each match must be won by two clear legs, unless the score is tied after the fifth 'additional' leg at which point sudden death takes place.

• 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)

Who are the previous winners?

The World Matchplay has a long list of stellar winners, with Littler heading into the 2026 tournament as defending champion.

The first winner was Larry Butler back in 1994 before Phil Taylor then picked up his first win of 16 (yes, 16) in 1995.

Taylor also won the 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017 Matchplays.

During his 2002 win, Taylor also threw the first ever televised nine-darter and such dominance led to the trophy being renamed after him in 2018.

Other winners include Michael van Gerwen (2015, 2016 and 2022), Gary Anderson (2018), Rob Cross (2019), Dimitri Van den Bergh (2020), Peter Wright (2021), Nathan Aspinall (2023), and Luke Humphries (2024).

What is the prize fund?

• Winner: £225,000
• Runner-up: £125,000
• Semi-finalists: £65,000
• Quarter-finalists: £35,000
• Second round: £22,500
• First round: £12,500

When is the women's World Matchplay?

The fifth staging of the Women's World Matchplay will be held on the afternoon of Sunday July 26 at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, live on Sky Sports.

Eight of the top women's players in the world will battle it out to be crowned champion as Lisa Ashton looks to defend her title.

Who is in the women's event?

Alongside defending champion Ashton, there will be two-time winner Beau Greaves and 2022 champion Fallon Sherrock, with Gemma Hayter and Vicky Pruim also included.

Deta Hedman and Rhian O'Sullivan will also feature, with Finnish star Kirsi Viinikainen taking the final spot on offer.

Draw Bracket
(1) Beau Greaves vs (8) Kirsi Viinikainen
(4) Gemma Hayter vs (5) Vicky Pruim
(2) Lisa Ashton vs (7) Rhian O'Sullivan
(3) Fallon Sherrock vs (6) Deta Hedman

Prize Money
Winner: £15,000
Runner-Up: £8,000
Semi-Finalists: £4,500
Quarter-Finalists: £2,000
Total: £40,000

What is the format?

The Women's World Matchplay is also a legs format, with the number of legs required to win increasing as the rounds go on.

The Women's World Matchplay starts with quarter-finals which are the best of seven legs before the semi-finals being competed in a best of nine legs format.

The final is then the best of 11 legs.

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