The darting world is buzzing with anticipation as the Betfred World Matchplay 2025 draw and schedule have been officially unveiled, setting the stage for nine days of high-octane action at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. From July 19 to July 27, the sport’s elite will battle it out for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy and a substantial share of the £800,000 prize fund, with £200,000 awaiting the champion. All eyes are firmly fixed on Luke “The Nuke” Littler, the teenage sensation who has taken the darts world by storm and enters the tournament as the second seed and the bookmakers’ favorite.
Littler’s campaign to secure a maiden World Matchplay title will commence on the tournament’s second day, Sunday, July 20, when he faces off against Ryan Searle. This highly anticipated first-round clash promises to be a compelling start for the 18-year-old, who seeks to add the prestigious Matchplay crown to his already impressive resume. Having previously gone out in the first round last year against the formidable Michael van Gerwen in what was described as a “horror draw,” Littler is undoubtedly eager to make a much deeper run this time around. His recent triumphs, including lifting the World Championship this year and the Premier League title in 2024, affirm his status as a legitimate contender and have instilled a strong sense of confidence in his ability to complete a career “triple crown.”
Should Littler navigate his way past Searle, his path in the second round on Wednesday, July 23, could see him pitted against either Peter Wright or Jermaine Wattimena. Strategically placed in the bottom half of the draw, Littler avoids a potential early showdown with world number one and defending champion Luke Humphries. This separation from the reigning champion, along with other top contenders such as Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting, could prove advantageous for Littler as he aims for the latter stages of the competition. However, the route to the final is far from clear, as he could still face formidable opponents like Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, and Damon Heta in his section of the draw.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, July 19, with four explosive first-round encounters. Defending champion Luke Humphries, the top seed, will launch his title defense against the rising Dutch star Gian van Veen, a clash that is already being highlighted as one of the standout matches of the opening night. This pairing promises an electrifying start, as Humphries attempts to become only the fourth player in history to successfully defend the World Matchplay title.
Another captivating all-Dutch showdown sees three-time World Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen taking on the experienced 2010 runner-up, Raymond van Barneveld. This blockbuster tie is set to deliver an enthralling spectacle for fans, showcasing two of the sport’s most iconic figures. Other notable first-round matchups include Nathan Aspinall, the 2023 champion, battling emerging Dutch talent Wessel Nijman, and James Wade, the 2007 champion, facing Joe Cullen, a semi-finalist in 2023. Debutants Cameron Menzies and Wessel Nijman will also step onto the illustrious Empress Ballroom stage for the first time, adding fresh excitement to the event.
The format of the Betfred World Matchplay ensures escalating intensity as the tournament progresses. First-round matches are played as the best of nineteen legs, requiring a two-clear-leg advantage to win, with a sudden-death leg if the score reaches 12-12. This “two clear legs” rule, applied across all rounds, adds an extra layer of drama and strategic depth to every contest. The number of legs required increases through the tournament: the second round is the best of twenty-one legs, quarter-finals are the best of thirty-one, semi-finals extend to the best of thirty-three, and the grand final culminates in a gruelling best of thirty-five legs, truly testing the endurance and mental fortitude of the finalists.
The schedule for the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay is packed with darting drama:
- Saturday, July 19 (Evening Session): Four First Round matches, including the highly anticipated clash between Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen.
- Sunday, July 20 (Afternoon & Evening Sessions): Eight First Round matches, with Luke Littler making his tournament debut in the evening session against Ryan Searle.
- Monday, July 21 (Evening Session): The final four First Round matches, featuring the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld, along with Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney.
- Tuesday, July 22 (Evening Session): Four Second Round matches.
- Wednesday, July 23 (Evening Session): The remaining four Second Round matches, which could see Littler back on stage.
- Thursday, July 24 (Evening Session): Two Quarter-Finals.
- Friday, July 25 (Evening Session): The remaining two Quarter-Finals.
- Saturday, July 26 (Evening Session): The Semi-Finals, a pivotal night determining the final contenders.
- Sunday, July 27 (Evening Session): The grand finale, where the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay champion will be crowned.
With a field brimming with talent, a compelling draw, and the promise of exhilarating darts, the Betfred World Matchplay 2025 is poised to deliver an unforgettable spectacle. All matches will be broadcast live, ensuring fans around the globe can witness every dart thrown as the players battle for one of the sport’s most coveted titles.
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