The 2026 World Matchplay Darts begins on Saturday, 18 July at Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with Luke Littler returning as the defending champion after winning the Phil Taylor Trophy 12 months ago.
For Luke Woodhouse and the rest of the field, it is one of the biggest stops on the Professional Darts Corporation calendar. The event features 32 players, with qualification seeded through the Order of Merit and ProTour Order of Merit. That means the opening rounds are set up to reward the top-ranked players while still leaving room for the kind of pressure that makes this event one of the sport's standout majors.
How the World Matchplay format works
The World Matchplay is played in legs, with each round increasing in length as the tournament progresses. Early matches are best of 19 legs, then move to best of 21, best of 31, best of 33, best of 35 and finally best of 35 legs again in the later stages if players cannot be separated at the set thresholds. Sudden death legs come into play when the score reaches 12-12, 13-13, 18-18, 19-19 or 20-20, depending on the round.
That format has long given the event its reputation as a test of scoring power, finishing and composure. With 16 title wins on the line across the wider major context, the World Matchplay has also become one of the key markers for players trying to establish themselves among the sport's elite.
Women’s event on the final day
The tournament also includes a separate women's event on Sunday, 26 July, the final day of the competition. Last year's final was won by Lisa Ashton, who beat Fallon Sherrock to claim the title.
That adds another layer to the week in Blackpool, with the men's event and the women's final both giving the Winter Gardens a packed schedule and a clear sense of occasion. For Littler, it is a chance to defend one of the biggest trophies in darts. For players such as Woodhouse, it is another opportunity to take a step forward on a major stage.
