Get ready for an exhilarating experience as darts takes center stage once again! The World Matchplay 2025 is coming soon after the World Cup of Darts excitement. This event promises to bring thrill, passion, and unforgettable moments that only darts can offer. This prestigious tournament highlights the professional darts calendar, a valid showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship. The event occurs at the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool from July 20th to July 28th. The World Matchplay is more than just a competition; it celebrates the human spirit. Legends are made here, and dreams come true. This edition is buzzing with whirlwind excitement as fans anticipate fierce upcoming battles between the world’s top darters. Beyond the darts competition, the 2025 tournament is introducing advanced technologies in player tracking. Fan engagement that promises a more immersive experience both in person and online. Dive into the world of games with the latest updates and fresh news here.
Exciting times ahead for the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay! Join us at the stunning Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England, for an unforgettable darts experience! This marks the 32nd thrilling year of the Professional Darts Corporation’s iconic World Matchplay. This event has some fresh new faces this year, with Cameron Menzies and Wessel Nijman ready to make their tournament debuts! This is a bittersweet moment for fans. A popular player, Michael Smith, will not compete for the first time since 2013. Meanwhile, James Wade qualifies for his 20th straight tournament. Luke Humphries defends his title against Michael van Gerwen in the 2024 final after a tough first round. The energy and anticipation are building—don’t miss the excitement! Fans can look forward to special ceremonies honoring the sport’s legends. These events help deepen the emotional connection to the game’s history.
Background
The World Matchplay, established in 1994, is a prestigious event known for its knockout format that tests competitors’ skills. This year, 32 elite players, each having secured their spot through fiercely contested qualification, will compete at this iconic tournament. Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen will defend his title against formidable competitors like Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright. He will also face new stars such as Josh Rock and Beau Greaves. The Phil Taylor Trophy was first awarded to Gary Anderson in 2018. The 2025 edition will be held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens. British bookmaker Betfred has solidified its commitment to this remarkable event by extending its sponsorship with the PDC until 2030. Top contenders like Luke Littler and Price and Aspinall are ready to seize the spotlight. Darts fans worldwide are gathering to experience exciting moments and showcase their skills.
How can I watch the World Matchplay 2025 streaming live?
If you are in the USA and want to watch the World Matchplay 2025 darts tournament, you can! The tournament will be streamed live on Peacock through a partnership with NBC2.
Get ready, UK fans! The excitement of the World Matchplay 2025 is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss a moment. Catch all the thrilling action live on Sky Sports, featuring Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports+, and Sky Sports Action2.
The FanCode app and website will stream the World Matchplay 2025 live for viewers in India. Those who prefer watching on television can tune in to the Star Sports Network, which has secured the broadcasting rights. You can catch the matches on channels such as Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the thrill of the World Matchplay 2025 in Australia! Stream, it lives on Fox Sports 2 and be part of the action.
If you are in Japan and want to watch the World Matchplay 2025 Darts live, you can use DAZN Japan. They have the right to stream the tournament.
Imagine being in Germany, brimming with excitement as you gear up to witness the thrilling World Matchplay 2025 Darts! With Pluto TV at your fingertips, you’re all set to catch every dart thrown and every exhilarating moment.
You have great options if you’re in France and want to watch the World Matchplay 2025 Darts. The tournament will air live on L’Équipe TV, which offers free coverage of major sports events, including darts.
In Sri Lanka, catch the World Matchplay 2025 Darts on PDCTV for complete coverage and top commentary.
Format for the World Matchplay 2025
The top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit will play against 16 qualifiers from the Pro Tour in the first round. Each thrilling match will be played in the leg play format, where competitors must win by two clear legs. If the scores are tied even after six extra legs, prepare for the nail-biting sudden death leg to determine the winner. Let the games begin!
The number of legs required to win increases as the tournament progresses.
- First round: Best of nineteen legs
- Second round: Best of twenty-one legs
- Quarter-finals: Best of thirty-one legs
- Semi-finals: Best of thirty-three legs
- Final: Best of thirty-five legs
Prize Money
The prize pool totals £800,000. The winner will receive £200,000 and take home the Phil Taylor Trophy!
| Position (no. of players) | Prize money (Total: £800,000) |
| Winner (1) | £200,000 |
| Runner-up (1) | £100,000 |
| Semi-finalists (2) | £50,000 |
| Quarter-finalists (4) | £30,000 |
| Second round (8) | £15,000 |
| First round (16) | £10,000 |
Qualification
The top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit as of July 10 are seeded for the tournament. The next 16 unseeded players from the one-year Pro Tour Order of Merit will join them if they haven’t qualified. Michael Smith and Dimitri Van den Bergh are notable absentees this year. Menzies and Nijman debut at World Matchplay; Wade plays for the 20th time.
| PDC Order of Merit | Pro Tour Order of Merit |
| Luke Humphries (first round) | Martin Schindler (first round) |
| Luke Littler | Josh Rock |
| Michael van Gerwen | Cameron Menzies (first round) |
| Stephen Bunting | Gian van Veen |
| Jonny Clayton | Wessel Nijman |
| Chris Dobey | Ryan Searle (first round) |
| Damon Heta (first round) | Mike De Decker |
| Nathan Aspinall (first round) | Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| James Wade | Jermaine Wattimena |
| Rob Cross (first round) | Andrew Gilding |
| Gerwyn Price | Daryl Gurney |
| Dave Chisnall (first round) | Joe Cullen (first round) |
| Gary Anderson | Ricardo Pietreczko |
| Ross Smith | Luke Woodhouse (first round) |
| Peter Wright (first round) | Raymond van Barneveld |
| Danny Noppert | Ryan Joyce (first round) |
Summary of first round
Top seed Luke Humphries lost to Gian van Veen, who called the win the “biggest” of his career. Aspinall lost to debutant Nijman (10–6), who found the win “more special” than his first at the World Championship. James Wade marked his 20th appearance with a 10–3 victory over Joe Cullen, averaging 104. Danny Noppert defeated Cameron Menzies 10–2, as Menzies notably busted 178 by hitting a 180. Reigning champion Luke Littler won his first Winter Gardens match against Ryan Searle (10–2) with an average near 109. Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jermaine Wattimena eliminated Rob Cross and Peter Wright. Gary Anderson advanced by beating Luke Woodhouse 10–5, featuring a 167 checkout. Heta lost to Gilding 12–10; De Decker beat Chisnall; and Bunting and Clayton also won. Let us see what happens in the upcoming round!
Prediction
Gian van Veen vs. Danny Noppert
Gian van Veen will face Danny Noppert in the second round of the World Matchplay 2025 showdown on July 22, 2025, at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England.
Previous Rivalry
Gian van Veen is a Dutch professional dart player and an exciting young talent in professional darts. He is shockingly surprised the first round secured a win against world number one Luke Humphries. His rocking start since 2022, failing to secure a Tour Card initially, van Veen bounced back in 2023 at Q-School. He’s consistently challenged top-tier players and made deep runs in major darts events.
Danny Noppert is also a top-tier Dutch professional dart player. He won the Finder Darts Masters, his first major title, and in the same year reached the final of the 2017 BDO World Championship, losing to Glen Durrant. Noppert is admired for his composed, methodical approach and ability to thrive under pressure. Hence, Gian van Veen will have more of a chance to win.
Wessel Nijman vs. James Wade
On July 22, 2025, Wessel Nijman will face James Wade at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England. They are meeting for the second round of the World Matchplay 2025.
Previous Rivalry
Wessel Nijman is known for his high averages and rapid-fire scoring. In the 2024 Grand Slam, he averaged over 105 in all group matches, even hitting 111.10, and did not advance. After a match-fixing ban in 2020, he returned in 2023 and rapidly won national and international titles.
James Wade, nicknamed “The Machine,” is one of the most decorated and consistent darters in darts history. He is third on the all-time list behind Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen for major PDC events. Thus, James Wade is likely to secure a win.
Stephen Bunting vs. Gary Anderson
In the World Matchplay 2025, Stephen Bunting comes to blows with Gary Anderson on July 22, 2025. At Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, in the second round of the World Matchplay 2025 run-in.
Previous Rivalry
Stephen Bunting is an English professional darter known for his smooth throw, precision, and charming personality. In 2013, he became the first man to win the title without dropping a set. After that, he won the BDO World Championship, beating Alan Norris in the final.
The Flying Scotsman denoted Gary Anderson as one of the most accomplished darts players. Anderson won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016. A national hero in Scotland, he had helped popularize darts globally. Based on their performances, Stephen Bunting will surely gain a slight edge.
Jonny Clayton vs. Mike De Decker
Jonny Clayton will face Mike De Decker on July 22, 2025, at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England. They are competing in the second round of the World Matchplay 2025.
Previous Rivalry
Jonny Clayton had a phenomenal 2021. He won four televised PDC majors—the Masters, Premier League, World Grand Prix, and World Series Finals. Even though he reached the quarter-finals in 2023, he’s yet to make a deep run at the sport’s biggest event.
Mike De Decker is a rising star in the darts world and nicknamed “The Real Deal” for a good reason. He won four PDC Development Tour titles and showed his early promise. Decker reached the final of the 2025 Belgian Darts Open and the 2024 Players Championship Finals quarter-finals, proving his consistency. Given that Jonny Clayton will earn at their upcoming darts event,
Luke Littler vs. Jermaine Wattimena
On July 23, 2025, Luke Litter and Jermaine Wattimena meet at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, for the second round in the World Matchplay 2025 moment of truth.
Previous Rivalry
Luke Littler is explosive scoring, icy composure, and a record-breaking rise through the ranks. At just 18 years old, he’s already a PDC World Champion, a Premier League winner, and a global icon in darts. His young talents are tactically sharp and mentally resilient, and he rarely shows nerves, even in the biggest arenas.
Jermaine Wattimena is a fast-paced, high-scoring professional darts player known for his quick beat and destructive style. Last year, he reached his first major televised final, losing to Ritchie Edhouse 11-3. Therefore, Luke Littler will undoubtedly grab a quarterfinal ticket.
Andrew Gilding vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode
At Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, Andrew Gilding has conflicts with Dirk van Duijvenbode on July 23, 2025. They are in the second round of the World Matchplay 2025.
Previous Rivalry
Andrew Gilding, known as “Goldfinger,” is ranked 28th globally. He claimed the first televised PDC title at the 2023 UK Open, becoming the oldest debut winner of a premier event.
Dirk van Duijvenbode is affectionately called “The Aubergenius” due to his work on an aubergine farm. He is currently ranked world number 32 and has a high-energy walk with explosive style. Based on their performances, Andrew Gilding will hold on to a triumph at their upcoming event.
Michael van Gerwen or Raymond van Barneveld vs. Ross Smith or Josh Rock
Gerwen or Barneveld is anyone competing with Smith or Rock on July 23, 2025. At Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, for the second round of the World Matchplay 2025.
Previous Rivalry
Michael van Gerwen, in the Netherlands, is a top darts player known as “The Green Machine.” At 17, he is the Youngest World Masters champion, with three PDC titles and a record TV average of 123.4. Raymond van Barneveld is a renowned Dutch darts player known as “Barney.” A five-time world champion, he won four BDO and one PDC title, popularizing European darts.
Ross Smith, aka “Smudger,” is a world number 14 darts player who won the European Championship in 2022. He has six PDC titles, a 58%-win rate, and walks on to “Red Light Spells Danger.” Josh Rock, known as “Rocky,” is a talented darts player who gained fame after earning his PDC Tour Card 2022. He won the PDC World Youth Championship and claimed his first European Tour title in 2024. Currently ranked 17th in the world, he is viewed as a future star in the sport.
Chris Dobey or Ricardo Pietreczko vs. Gerwyn Price or Daryl Gurney
On July 23, 2025, Chris Dobey or Ricardo Pietreczko will face off with Gerwyn Price or Daryl Gurney. They are at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, for the second round in the World Matchplay 2025 showdown.
Previous Rivalry
Chris Dobey, aka “Hollywood,” is a sixth-ranked English darts player known for his scoring power. He won the 2023 Masters and has seven Players Championship titles. He is famous for his charm and aims for deeper tournament runs but struggles with consistency. Ricardo Pietreczko, “Pikachu,” is a German darts player ranked 29th. Although popular with fans, he often faces inconsistency in major tournaments.
Gerwyn Price, “The Iceman,” is a former rugby player and a world champion in darts known for his explosive scoring. His titles include the 2021 PDC World Championship and multiple Grand Slam and European Tour wins. Daryl Gurney, “Superchin,” is a Northern Irish darts player ranked world number 25. A two-time major winner, he recently won the 2025 World Cup of Darts with Josh Rock.
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