One of the highlights of the darting calendar is fast approaching with the World Matchplay Darts getting underway on July 13th. The Blackpool tournament is one of the sport’s major events and its prestige is second only to the World Championship. Here’s a look at the key dates, prize money, qualification and history of the World Matchplay.
World Matchplay Darts 2024 – Dates
First round (best of 19 legs) – Saturday 13th July – Monday 15th July
Second round (best of 21 legs) – Tuesday 16th July – Wednesday 17th July
Quarter-finals (best of 31 legs) – Thursday 18th July – Friday 19th July
Semi-finals (best of 33 legs) – Saturday 20th July
Final (best of 35 legs) – Sunday 21st July
World Matchplay Darts – Prize Money
Winner: £200,000
Runner-up: £100,000
Semi-finalists: £50,000
Quarter-finalists: £30,000
Second round: £15,000
First round: £10,000
World Matchplay Darts – Qualification
The cut-off date for World Matchplay qualification is Sunday 7th July. Any ranking points collected until that point will count towards the Order of Merit and the qualifying spots for Blackpool, where the top 16 players on the rankings will be seeded at the Winter Gardens.
The top 16 players on the ProTour Order of Merit, not to have already qualified at the cut-off date, will make up the unseeded players in the draw and complete a field of 16 arrowsmiths. World number one Luke Humphries is assured of a place at the World Matchplay and Cool Hand will be joined by the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith. Luke Littler currently sits in fourth place on the ProTour Order of Merit and The Nuke will be a player to avoid in the first-round draw.
World Matchplay Darts – History
The World Matchplay was first held in 1994 with American Larry Butler defeating Dennis Priestley in the final. The event quickly gained prestige and it’s one of the jewels in the PDC’s crown. The Winter Gardens creates a special atmosphere and the long distance leg-play format is the ultimate test on the darts stage.
Phil Taylor was a 16-time World Matchplay champion and no player has got close to the dominance of The Power. Van Gerwen has three Blackpool titles to his name, with Rod Harrington the only other player to have won more than one Winter Gardens title.
Dimitri van den Berg claimed the only Matchplay held away from Blackpool, in 2020, and the Belgian will be looking to become a two-time champion. Last year’s king Nathan Aspinall along with Rob Cross, Peter Wright, Gary Anderson and James Wade are the other previous winners that are still competing on the PDC Tour.
By Adrian Mills
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