One of the PDC's Major Tournaments is getting started in Blackpool this weekend.
The summer's top darting event gets underway at Blackpool's Winter Gardens this Saturday as the 2024 Betfred World Matchplay takes place. The world #1, Luke Humphries is the favourite to win the tournament, as the sport's biggest names take to the stage.
The First Round Details
The first round will see the top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit take on the 16 qualifiers from the ProTour Order of Merit.
SCHEDULE! 🎯
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 11, 2024
The revised first round schedule for the 2024 @Betfred World Matchplay has been confirmed!
Confirmation that the afternoon session on Sunday July 14 will begin at 1200 BST, with the evening session getting underway from 1630 BST!
👉 https://t.co/UhJqUL0TlZ pic.twitter.com/FQOpT6lvcb
Matchups to Look Out For
Reigning champion Nathan Aspinall will face tournament newcomer, Luke Woodhouse, who confirmed his place via the ProTour. Woodhouse is placed #34 in the PDC rankings, and will look to upset #5 Aspinall, who is also hoping to defend his title of the tournament - following in the footsteps of Phil Taylor, Rod Harrington, and Michael Van Gerwen in doing so.
Gary Anderson and Michael Smith also matchup in the opening round, which makes way for a half-rematch of the Darts World Cup semi-final between Scotland and England last month, in which Michael Smith and teammate Luke Aspinall picked up the victory, before going onto win the tournament. In their last six face-offs, Smith has came out victorious in four of them.
Perhaps the most exciting first round battle is between 3-time champion, Michael Van Gerwen, and 17-year-old phenom, Luke Littler, who makes his tournament debut following on from his recent Premier League title. Their matches have been split 5-4 in favour of MvG, and both of the pair will be hoping to go far, if not win the tournament - but one of them will be knocked out early.
Full matchups and timings for the first round and beyond can be found on the PDC's website.
When is the Tournament?
Action starts on Saturday 13th July and will conclude with the final on Sunday 21st July. The first round of matches will conclude on Tuesday 16th, when 16 players will progress to the second round.
Where to watch the Betfred World Matchplay?
All of the World Matchplay will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, also available on the NOW streaming platform.
Darts at Greaves
Whether you're looking for boards, arrows, accessories or oches, Greaves Sports have you covered for all of your darts needs during the World Matchplay tournament and beyond. Shop our entire darts range in-store and online - with plenty of products to pick from!
