The stage is set for an electrifying nine days at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, where the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay, darts’ second-most prestigious tournament, will unfold from July 19 to July 27. The draw, finalized on July 10, 2025, has revealed a thrilling lineup of first-round clashes, with reigning PDC World Champion Luke Littler and defending Matchplay champion Luke Humphries facing formidable opponents in their quest for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy and a £200,000 top prize. The tournament, steeped in history since its inception in 1994, promises high-stakes drama in the iconic Empress Ballroom, where 32 of the world’s top players will battle for an £800,000 prize fund.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old sensation known as “The Nuke,” is eager to erase the memory of his first-round exit to Michael van Gerwen in 2024. Drawn against Ryan Searle, the world No. 19 from Somerset, Littler faces a familiar foe he has defeated in all three of their previous televised encounters. “I’m desperate to make an impact after crashing out in the first round last year,” Littler said, his confidence buoyed by his 2025 World Championship triumph, where he became the youngest PDC champion at 17 years and 347 days. A victory over Searle on Sunday, July 20, would set up a second-round clash with either Peter Wright or Jermaine Wattimena, a winnable but tricky prospect given Wright’s pedigree. Littler, the tournament favorite at 7/4 odds, is in the bottom half of the draw, potentially avoiding Humphries until the later stages but facing threats like Van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, or Damon Heta.
Defending champion Luke Humphries, the world No. 1, opens his campaign on Saturday, July 19, against rising Dutch star Gian van Veen, a player who stunned him 8-3 at Players Championship 6 earlier this year. “I’m all about retaining titles,” Humphries declared, fresh off his US Darts Masters win at Madison Square Garden. His 2024 Matchplay victory over Van Gerwen cemented his status as a big-stage performer, and a successful defense would place him among an elite group—Rod Harrington, Phil Taylor, and Van Gerwen—as the only players to win back-to-back titles. A win against Van Veen would pit Humphries against either Danny Noppert or debutant Cameron Menzies in the second round, a path that demands precision in the sweltering Winter Gardens, where temperatures can soar to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The draw also features a blockbuster all-Dutch showdown on Monday, July 21, between three-time Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen and five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld. “It’s a cracking draw, especially the battle of the Dutch World Champions,” a betting insider noted, highlighting the anticipation for this clash of titans. Van Gerwen, seeded third, aims to reignite his season, while Van Barneveld, a former finalist in 2010, remains a fan favorite. Other notable first-round matchups include Stephen Bunting versus Ryan Joyce, a nod to their 2024 thriller, and Gerwyn Price facing Daryl Gurney, evoking memories of their World Cup battles. Nathan Aspinall takes on Wessel Nijman, and James Wade meets Joe Cullen in a clash of seasoned veterans.
The tournament’s format—best of 19 legs in the first round, escalating to 35 in the final—ensures grueling tests of endurance and accuracy. The absence of 2023 world champion Michael Smith, who missed qualification for the first time since 2013, adds intrigue, opening opportunities for new faces like debutants Menzies and Nijman. The Women’s World Matchplay, featuring defending champion Beau Greaves, will cap the event on July 27, adding to the festival atmosphere.
As Blackpool’s Winter Gardens prepares to host a sold-out crowd of over 2,000 per session, the darting world buzzes with anticipation. Littler’s quest for the Triple Crown—having already claimed the World Championship and Premier League—meets Humphries’ drive to cement his legacy. With Van Gerwen, Price, and a host of hungry contenders in the mix, the 2025 World Matchplay is poised to deliver unforgettable moments under the Empress Ballroom’s ornate chandeliers.
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