As the World Matchplay returns to the iconic Winter Gardens, we break down everything from its rich history to the full player field of 32.
🎯 World Matchplay 2025: Everything You Need to Know Before the Action Begins in Blackpool
As the World Matchplay returns to the iconic Winter Gardens, we break down everything from its rich history to the full player field of 32.
World Matchplay 2025
As the World Matchplay returns to the iconic Winter Gardens, we break down everything from its rich history to the full player field of 32. Who are the favourites? Who could cause a surprise? What’s at stake? Strap in – this is your ultimate guide to one of darts’ most prestigious tournaments.
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🏆 A Tournament Steeped in History
World Matchplay has been held annually since 1994 and is regarded as the second most prestigious tournament in darts, only behind the World Championship. Since its inception in 1994—when American Larry Butler sensationally won the inaugural final—the tournament has built an aura of tradition and greatness. The Winter Gardens in Blackpool has been its fixed venue and is famous for its unique atmosphere. The venerable Empress Ballroom is filled every year with enthusiastic dart fans who create an electric vibe (and tropical heat—“The Heat of Blackpool” has become a term among the players!).
No player has shaped World Matchplay like legend Phil “The Power” Taylor. The Englishman won the tournament an incredible 16 times between 1995 and 2017, dominating the 2000s. As a tribute, in 2018 the trophy was officially renamed the Phil Taylor Trophy. Since Taylor retired, the darts circuit has seen several new Matchplay champions. Michael van Gerwen broke Taylor’s streak and boasts three titles (2015, 2016, 2022). Gary Anderson claimed his one and only Matchplay in 2018; Rob Cross won in 2019; up‑and‑comer Dimitri Van den Bergh triumphed in 2020. In recent years, we’ve had more new winners: Peter Wright in 2021, Nathan Aspinall in 2023, and last year (2024), Luke Humphries celebrated his first Matchplay victory after a dramatic final against Van Gerwen. So, the list of former champions combines the sport’s biggest names with fresh stars, making the tournament especially exciting each year.
What makes World Matchplay so unique? The format and setting. The tournament uses legs format (not sets like in the World Championship), where you must win by a two‑leg margin. This can lead to nerve‑wrecking matches that go to extra legs when the score tightens towards the end. Over the years, Blackpool’s audience has witnessed several nine‑darters (perfect legs) and marathon matches dragging into extra sessions. The mix of the intimate, boiling atmosphere in the Winter Gardens and the high level of play—mid‑summer when many players are in peak form—makes World Matchplay often deliver top‑notch darts. Many players actually consider this title almost as big as a World Championship win.
🎯 Format & Qualification
Only the elite can take part—no open qualifiers. The field is 32 players. The top 16 in the PDC World Ranking (Order of Merit) by a cutoff date in early July qualify automatically and are seeded in the draw. The remaining 16 spots go to the highest‑ranked players on the ProTour Rankings (based on one‑year earnings from Players Championship and European Tour events) who haven’t already qualified. This system ensures that both household names and in‑form challengers from floor events get their shot. In practice, this means the field is always extremely strong—and this year, reigning World Champion Michael Smith is out, failing to qualify for the first time since 2013. In the draw, each seeded player faces an unseeded player in round one—setting the stage for potential shocks from day one.
World Matchplay 2025: The Players
🇬🇧 Luke Humphries (1st seed)
Achievements: 2024 World Champion, 2025 Premier League Champion, 2024 World Matchplay winner. The current world number one.
Form: Phenomenal. The most complete player in darts right now. Cool Hand Luke rarely shows nerves and has been nearly unbeatable over the last year. Now aims to defend his title in Blackpool – a feat last achieved by Phil Taylor.
Tipsbladet says: 🏆 Favorite (+400)
🇬🇧 Luke Littler (2nd seed)
Achievements: 2025 World Champion, 2024 Premier League Champion. The teenage prodigy has taken the sport by storm.
Form: Red hot. After a surprise first-round exit last year, Littler is now both more mature and more dangerous. Few can match his natural talent and power scoring.
Tipsbladet says: 🏆 Favorite (+200)
🇳🇱 Michael van Gerwen (3rd seed)
Achievements: 3x World Champion, 3x World Matchplay winner (2015, 2016, 2022), over 40 major titles.
Form: Still a top contender, but no longer invincible. Made last year’s final and lost this year’s World Championship final to Littler. Capable of anything, anytime.
🇬🇧 Stephen Bunting (4th seed)
Achievements: 2014 BDO World Champion, World Matchplay semi-finalist 2024.
Form: Excellent. Has elevated his consistency and climbed into the top 4. Still hunting a big PDC title, but form suggests it’s close.
🏴 Jonny Clayton (5th seed)
Achievements: Premier League, World Grand Prix, World Cup, and Masters winner. Matchplay finalist 2023.
Form: Consistently good. Clayton’s double-hitting ability makes him lethal in tight legs. Determined to make up for last year’s painful final loss.
🇬🇧 Chris Dobey (6th seed)
Achievements: Masters 2023 winner.
Form: Solid if unspectacular. Capable of huge averages when rhythm clicks, but has lacked deep runs in recent months.
🇦🇺 Damon Heta (7th seed)
Achievements: 2022 World Cup Champion, multiple ProTour titles.
Form: Steady. Rarely overwhelmed, but still searching for a major solo breakthrough. His finishing and temperament keep him dangerous.
🇬🇧 Nathan Aspinall (8th seed)
Achievements: 2023 World Matchplay winner, 2x UK Open Champion, World Series Finals winner.
Form: Has dipped slightly since last summer but remains mentally tough and gritty. Blackpool brings out his best.
🇬🇧 James Wade (9th seed)
Achievements: 10 major titles, including 2007 Matchplay.
Form: Enjoying a quiet resurgence. Made semis last year and thrives in the leg format. One of the best in pressure moments.
🇬🇧 Rob Cross (10th seed)
Achievements: 2018 World Champion, 2019 Matchplay winner.
Form: Always a contender. Efficient, composed, and experienced. Rarely loses to inferior opposition.
🏴 Gerwyn Price (11th seed)
Achievements: 2021 World Champion, 3x Grand Slam winner, World Cup Champion.
Form: Powerful as ever, but yet to win the Matchplay. Struggled with the crowd here in the past.
Tipsbladet says: 🏆 Favorite (+800)
🇬🇧 Dave Chisnall (12th seed)
Achievements: European Championship 2023 winner, multiple major finals.
Form: In great floor form, but often stumbles in TV events. If he brings that ProTour rhythm to the stage, look out.
🏴 Gary Anderson (13th seed)
Achievements: 2x World Champion, 2018 Matchplay Champion, 2024 World Cup winner.
Form: Resurgent. Arguably in his best shape in years. Scoring like it’s 2016 again and looking hungry.
Tipsbladet says: 🎯 Dark Horse (+1600)
🇬🇧 Ross Smith (14th seed)
Achievements: 2022 European Champion.
Form: Quietly efficient. Doesn’t make many headlines, but tough to beat. A potential bracket buster.
🏴 Peter Wright (15th seed)
Achievements: 2x World Champion, 2021 Matchplay Champion, 2024 World Cup winner.
Form: Inconsistent. Still capable of brilliance, but hard to predict. Always one of the best when his game is on.
🇳🇱 Danny Noppert (16th seed)
Achievements: 2022 UK Open winner.
Form: Steady, rarely flashy. Not a favorite, but hard to shake. Could quietly reach the quarters.
🇩🇪 Martin Schindler
Achievements: World Cup semi-finalist, multiple Players Championship runs.
Form: Germany’s best hope. Strong on the floor, but yet to prove himself on the biggest stage.
🇬🇧 Josh Rock
Achievements: 2022 World Youth Champion, 2024 World Cup Champion.
Form: Explosive. Still inconsistent, but his ceiling is sky high.
Tipsbladet says: 🎯 Dark Horse (+1600)
🏴 Cameron Menzies
Achievements: UK Open quarter-finalist.
Form: A wildcard. His quirky style and fearless approach make him dangerous in short formats.
🇳🇱 Gian van Veen
Achievements: 2023 World Youth Champion.
Form: Rapid progress. Raw, aggressive, and hungry. Opens against Humphries – potential instant classic.
Tipsbladet says: 🎯 Dark Horse (+3500)
🇳🇱 Wessel Nijman
Achievements: Players Championship winner.
Form: Redemption arc. Strong floor form, debuting on TV in Blackpool. A great story in the making.
🇬🇧 Ryan Searle
Achievements: Players Championship Finals runner-up.
Form: Big scorer. Hasn’t made deep TV runs lately. Opens against Littler – no room for a slow start.
🇧🇪 Mike De Decker
Achievements: 2024 World Grand Prix Champion.
Form: Confidence sky-high after major win. Still under the radar, but very capable.
🇳🇱 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Achievements: 2020 Grand Prix finalist.
Form: Volatile, emotional, but back on track. Can beat anyone – or collapse.
🇳🇱 Jermaine Wattimena
Achievements: Players Championship winner.
Form: One of the fastest throwers. Recently regained tour card and looks sharp. Needs focus in key legs.
🇬🇧 Andrew Gilding
Achievements: 2023 UK Open Champion.
Form: Unorthodox but effective. Quarterfinalist here last year. When the scoring’s on, the tempo works.
🇬🇧 Daryl Gurney
Achievements: 2017 Grand Prix winner, 2018 Players Championship Finals winner, 2024 World Cup winner.
Form: Inconsistent but dangerous. Has something to prove after team success with Rock.
🇬🇧 Joe Cullen
Achievements: 2022 Masters winner, Matchplay semi-finalist 2024.
Form: On and off. Stunning throw, but struggles in longer matches.
🇩🇪 Ricardo Pietreczko
Achievements: 2023 German Darts Championship winner.
Form: Proud German prospect. Strong scorer. First appearance at the Matchplay.
🇬🇧 Luke Woodhouse
Achievements: Players Championship finalist.
Form: In form. Earned his spot through grit and results. Faces Anderson in round one.
🇳🇱 Raymond van Barneveld
Achievements: 5x World Champion, Matchplay finalist 2010.
Form: Still sharp at times. Set for a legendary first-round clash with van Gerwen.
🇬🇧 Ryan Joyce
Achievements: World Championship quarterfinalist.
Form: Quiet and consistent. Always seems to show up when no one expects it.
The Favourites
🥇 Luke Humphries (+400)
The reigning World Matchplay champion, current Premier League winner, and 2024 World Champion. Humphries is the world number one and arrives in Blackpool on fire. His all-around game, composure under pressure, and experience in finals make him a formidable force. He’s aiming to become the first player since Phil Taylor to defend the title – and with form like this, few would bet against him.
🥈 Luke Littler (+200)
What can we say about “The Nuke” that hasn’t already been said? Just 17 years old and already a world champion (2025), Premier League winner (2024), and global sensation. Littler has taken darts by storm, showing maturity and scoring power well beyond his years. He’s hungry for revenge after a first-round exit here last year – and now he enters as the second seed and possibly the most feared name in the draw.
🥉 Gerwyn Price (+800)
“The Iceman” hasn’t yet won the Matchplay – and that’s something he desperately wants to fix. The 2021 World Champion and multi-time Grand Slam winner still possesses one of the highest ceilings in darts. If Price can navigate the early rounds (and manage the crowd), he could go all the way. The fire is still there – and so is the talent.
The Dark Horses
⚡ Gary Anderson (+1600)
A two-time World Champion and the 2018 Matchplay winner, “The Flying Scotsman” is back among the seeds – and back in form. He recently won the World Cup of Darts with Peter Wright and has looked sharp all year. Anderson’s scoring has improved, and his motivation seems renewed. If the draw opens up, he’s the ultimate veteran to take advantage.
🚀 Josh Rock (+1600)
The Northern Irish star is the reigning World Cup champion (with Daryl Gurney) and a former World Youth Champion. His scoring power is immense, and he continues to mature mentally. Rock is due a big solo breakthrough – and Blackpool could be where it finally happens. If he gets past a tough opening tie, he could catch fire.
💥 Gian van Veen (+3500)
Van Veen is one of the most exciting young players in the game. Fast, confident, and deadly on his day, the 22-year-old is a rising star in Dutch darts. He pushed Rob Cross to a 13–12 thriller here last year and has since won multiple Players Championship matches. He faces a nightmare first round against Luke Humphries – but if he pulls off the upset, anything is possible.
Top Rated Bookmakers
