The Winter Gardens in Blackpool is once again the hallowed ground for the Betfred World Matchplay, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the darts calendar, second only to the World Championship itself. As Wednesday, July 23, 2025, dawns, the tension is palpable with a full schedule of second-round encounters set to ignite the stage. All eyes, however, remain firmly fixed on Luke “The Nuke” Littler, the reigning 2025 PDC Darts World Champion, as he continues his quest for glory in a tournament where he is still seeking his maiden victory.
Littler’s journey at this year’s Matchplay began with a commanding performance on Sunday, July 20. The 18-year-old sensation dispatched England’s Ryan Searle, the current world number 20, with a dominant 10-2 victory in legs. This first-round win was particularly significant for Littler, as it marked his first-ever win on the iconic Winter Gardens stage, a venue where he had previously been eliminated in the first round of the 2024 tournament by Michael van Gerwen. His average of an impressive 106 against Searle, alongside five 180s and a clinical 10-for-19 on doubles, showcased the kind of form that has made him a global superstar. Searle’s respectable 98 average only underscored the quality of Littler’s performance.
Now, Littler faces a stern test in his second-round match on Wednesday evening against the Netherlands’ Jermaine Wattimena. Wattimena secured his spot in the last 16 by overcoming Peter Wright in a closely contested battle, prevailing 10-8. The clash between Littler and Wattimena is scheduled as the third game of the evening session, expected to commence around 9:15 p.m. local time in Blackpool. Should Littler emerge victorious, he would advance to the quarter-finals, where he would face the winner of the intriguing matchup between Andrew Gilding and Dirk van Duijvenbode.
The full Wednesday evening schedule for the 2025 World Matchplay Darts features four crucial second-round matches, all played to a best-of-31 legs format, requiring a player to win by two clear legs up to 16-16, then a sudden death leg if scores remain tied. These encounters are vital as players vie for a spot in the coveted quarter-finals later in the week.
The evening’s action kicks off with an exciting clash between two of the sport’s heavyweights. Following that, the focus will shift to another highly anticipated fixture, setting the stage for Littler’s appearance. The fourth and final match of the evening promises to be equally compelling, rounding out a packed night of high-stakes darts. While the exact order of play beyond Littler’s match is subject to change, the caliber of players ensures a night of thrilling competition.
Littler’s campaign at the World Matchplay holds particular significance. Having already clinched the World Championship earlier this year and the Premier League in 2024, lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy at Winter Gardens would complete a remarkable “triple crown” of major PDC titles, a feat rarely achieved so early in a career. He is currently installed as the 7/4 favourite by bookmakers to claim his first World Matchplay title, a testament to his consistent brilliance and soaring confidence.
However, Littler is not the only top seed to face challenges in Blackpool. The first round saw some notable upsets, with world number one and current holder Luke Humphries surprisingly dumped out by Gian van Veen (10-8). Other prominent names like Nathan Aspinall, Damon Heta, and Rob Cross also exited the tournament at the initial hurdle, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this high-pressure event. These early exits have further opened up the draw, presenting Littler with a potentially clearer path, though he remains wary of the threats posed by top players like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, and Josh Rock, who are all on his side of the draw.
Van Gerwen, a three-time Matchplay champion, ground out a victory against his compatriot Raymond van Barneveld in the first round (10-6), while Josh Rock, a touted “Contender” in PDC Fantasy Darts, produced a blistering display to dispatch Ross Smith (10-5). Gerwyn Price also battled through a fiery encounter against Daryl Gurney, prevailing 10-7 in a match that saw a heated exchange between the two players. These results confirm that despite some big names falling, the competitive intensity at the Winter Gardens remains sky-high.
As Wednesday’s matches unfold, the darting world will be watching closely to see if Luke Littler can continue his impressive run and move one step closer to adding the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy to his rapidly expanding collection of accolades. The atmosphere in Blackpool is electric, promising another night of unparalleled darts drama.
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