The 2025 Betfred World Matchplay, unfolding at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool from July 19 to 27, has once again cemented its status as one of darts’ crown jewels. With a total prize fund of £800,000, the tournament offers substantial rewards for its 32 competitors, including top stars like Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price. As the second-most prestigious ranking event on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) calendar, the World Matchplay not only promises the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy but also significant financial incentives and crucial ranking points. Littler, the reigning world champion, and Price, a resurgent former champion, are among the favorites, each eyeing the £200,000 top prize while navigating a fiercely competitive field.
The prize structure for the 2025 World Matchplay is designed to reward deep runs in the tournament. The winner will claim £200,000, a quarter of the total pot, while the runner-up earns £100,000. Semi-finalists take home £50,000 each, and quarter-finalists, where both Littler and Price have already secured their spots, are guaranteed £30,000. Players eliminated in the second round receive £15,000, while first-round exits yield £10,000. This tiered system reflects the tournament’s high stakes, with the top 16 PDC Order of Merit players, including defending champion Luke Humphries, joined by 16 Pro Tour qualifiers in a format that demands consistency and clutch performance.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old sensation nicknamed “The Nuke,” entered the tournament as a top favorite despite a first-round exit in 2024 to Michael van Gerwen. This year, he’s shown why he’s a force to be reckoned with, storming into the quarter-finals with a dramatic 13-11 tie-break victory over Jermaine Wattimena. Trailing 7-2, Littler staged a stunning comeback, winning six consecutive legs and sealing the match on his favorite double 10. “I’m a world champion for a reason, I find these gears when I need it,” he told reporters, reflecting on the intense pressure. “I’ve not felt pressure like that since the first round of the world championships. A bit nervous but the crowd was unbelievable.” His first-round demolition of Ryan Searle, averaging 108.82 with five 180s, further underscored his dominance, ensuring at least £30,000 for reaching the last eight. A semi-final berth would net him £50,000, while a final appearance or victory could see him pocket £100,000 or £200,000, respectively, boosting his No. 2 ranking on the PDC Order of Merit, where he currently sits with £1,330,500 in earnings.
Gerwyn Price, the 40-year-old Welshman known as “The Iceman,” has been in scintillating form, making him a pundit favorite to claim the title he narrowly missed in 2022. Price advanced to the quarter-finals with a commanding 11-3 rout of Chris Dobey, posting a staggering 108.73 average and eight 180s. “The middle part of the game I felt like I couldn’t miss,” he said, his signature celebratory roar echoing through the Winter Gardens. His first-round win over Daryl Gurney (10-7) was marked by a heated exchange, but Price’s focus remained on the prize. “Just the money,” he quipped when asked about his motivation, before adding, “The ranking points, because I dropped out quite a bit, and yeah, getting some money and [upping] my rankings. It’s one of the trophies I haven’t won.” With recent titles at the Poland Darts Masters and Players Championship, Price’s momentum is undeniable. His quarter-final appearance guarantees £30,000, but a deeper run could see him climb from his current No. 6 ranking (£533,000) and add £50,000 or more to his coffers.
The tournament’s electric atmosphere, fueled by the Winter Gardens’ raucous crowd and storied history, adds to the stakes. “It’s a tournament that players highlight as their favorite,” one pundit noted, citing the venue’s “noise, heat, balconies, and lights—pure theatre!” For Littler, facing Andrew Gilding in the quarter-finals, and Price, set to clash with Josh Rock, the path to the £200,000 prize is fraught with challenges. Littler’s youth and precision contrast with Price’s experience and recent resurgence, but both share a hunger for the title. As Littler put it, “I want to get back on stage and right now I can’t wait to be in the quarter-final.” Price, meanwhile, eyes the trophy as a career-defining achievement, stating, “It’s a tournament I really want to win.”
With the semi-finals and final looming, the financial and competitive rewards are within reach for both players. A Littler-Price semi-final showdown is possible, promising a blockbuster clash. Whether they claim the top prize or fall short, their performances at the 2025 World Matchplay are already etching their names deeper into darts’ rich legacy, with the potential to bank life-changing sums along the way.
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