World Matchplay Darts draw sees legends collide in Blackpool

Metro

10-07-2025

Dutch legends Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld meet in the opening round of the World Matchplay, in one of a string of standout ties in Blackpool.
Five-time world champion Barney is still competing at 58 years old and remains hopeful that he can win his first Matchplay title, although he faces a man 22 years his junior who has won it three times.
One of the highlights of the darts calendar runs from July 19-27 this year at the Winter Gardens, with the winner leaving Blackpool with a £200,000 top prize.
The Matchplay sees the top 16 in the world rankings drawn against the top 16 on the PDC's Pro Tour Order of Merit, so it is a field boasting quality and form.
Defending champion and world number one Luke Humphries has a very tough opening test against Gian van Veen.
As ever there will be plenty of attention on Luke Littler, with the Nuke taking on Ryan Searle in his first round match.
The world champion is playing in the Matchplay for only the second time and is looking to pick up his first win in the famous old tournament.
There are attractive ties throughout the draw, with other standouts including James Wade playing Joe Cullen, Ross Smith taking on Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price meeting Daryl Gurney.
(1) Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen(16) Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies(8) Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman(9) James Wade v Joe Cullen(4) Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce(13) Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse(5) Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
(12) Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker
(2) Luke Littler v Ryan Searle(15) Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena(7) Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding(10) Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode(3) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld(14) Ross Smith v Josh Rock(6) Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko
(11) Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney
The Women's World Matchplay is also played on the final Sunday of the tournament, July 27. More Trending
The event features eight players coming in at the quarter-final stage as Beau Greaves plays Kirsi Viinkainen, Lisa Ashton meets Robyn Byrne, Noa-Lynn van Leuven takes on Lorraine Winstanley and Fallon Sherrock faces Gemma Hayter.
Greaves lifted the trophy last year, beating Sherrock in the final.
Saturday July 19
7pmJames Wade v Joe CullenDanny Noppert v Cameron MenziesLuke Humphries v Gian van Veen
Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman
Sunday July 20
1pmDamon Heta v Andrew GildingRob Cross v Dirk van DuijvenbodePeter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena
Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker
7pmGary Anderson v Luke WoodhouseJonny Clayton v Martin SchindlerLuke Littler v Ryan Searle
Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce
Monday July 21
7pmChris Dobey v Ricardo PietreczkoGerwyn Price v Daryl GurneyMichael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
Ross Smith v Josh Rock
Tuesday July 22
Second Round – 7pmHumphries/Van Veen v Noppert/MenziesAspinall/Nijman v Wade/CullenBunting/Joyce v Anderson/Woodhouse
Clayton/Schindler v Chisnall/De Decker
Wednesday July 23
Second Round x4 – 7pmLittler/Searle v Wright/WattimenaHeta/Gilding v Cross/Van DuijvenbodeVan Gerwen/Van Barneveld v Smith/Rock
Dobey/Pietreczko v Price/Gurney
Thursday July 24
Quarter-Finals – 8pm
Friday July 25
Quarter-Finals – 8pm
Saturday July 26
Semi-Finals – 8pm
Sunday July 27
Final – 8pm
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