World Matchplay Darts 2026: Opening Games, Schedule, Live Odds & How to Watch

July 17, 2026 at 9:39 am GMT+1

Blackpool's Winter Gardens plays host to darts' biggest summer showpiece from 18 July, as defending champion Luke Littler puts his title on the line against a stacked 32-player field.

With a record £1,000,000 prize fund, Sky Sports covering every session, and the market split between Littler's bid for back-to-back glory and Luke Humphries' chance of revenge, the World Matchplay always delivers.

Here at Free Bets, we cover everything you need on the opening games, live odds, and how to catch the action at the best darts betting sites.

Full World Matchplay 2026 Schedule

The first round takes place across four action packed sessions from Saturday through to Monday, with every match played over the best of 19 legs.

Here's the full opening round schedule:

Saturday, July 18

Josh Rock vs Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting vs Niels Zonneveld
Luke Littler vs Niko Springer
Nathan Aspinall vs Joe Cullen

Sunday, July 19

Afternoon Session

Chris Dobey vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gary Anderson vs Ryan Joyce
Michael van Gerwen vs Andrew Gilding
Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta

Evening Session

Ryan Searle vs William O’Connor
James Wade vs Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen vs Krzysztof Ratajski
Wessel Nijman vs Dave Chisnall

Monday, July 20

Ross Smith vs Kevin Doets
Gerwyn Price vs Martin Schindler
Luke Humphries vs Cameron Menzies
Danny Noppert vs Rob Cross

Knockout Stages Schedule

Tuesday, July 21 & Wednesday, July 22 - Second Round Matches
Thursday, July 23 & Friday, July 24 - Quarter-Finals
Saturday, July 25 - Semi-Finals
Sunday, July 26 - World Matchplay Grand Final

Live World Matchplay Darts Odds

Check out the latest World Matchplay Darts odds from the top UK betting sites.

Best Odds

Teams Best Odds

Luke Littler

10/11

21/20

1/1

1/1

10/11

10/11

10/11

10/11

10/11

Luke Humphries

9/2

9/2

9/2

4/1

9/2

9/2

9/2

9/2

5/1

Wessel Nijman

10/1

10/1

10/1

10/1

10/1

10/1

10/1

10/1

10/1

Gerwyn Price

12/1

12/1

12/1

14/1

11/1

11/1

12/1

12/1

12/1

Michael van Gerwen

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

Gian van Veen

16/1

20/1

16/1

20/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

16/1

Johnny Clayton

28/1

28/1

28/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

28/1

28/1

28/1

Kevin Doets

33/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

Gary Anderson

33/1

33/1

33/1

40/1

25/1

25/1

33/1

33/1

33/1

Stephen Bunting

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

33/1

33/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

Josh Rock

33/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

Rob Cross

40/1

50/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

James Wade

40/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

50/1

50/1

40/1

40/1

40/1

Chris Dobey

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

40/1

40/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

Nathan Aspinall

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

Ryan Searle

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

50/1

Ross Smith

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

Danny Noppert

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

Luke Woodhouse

66/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

80/1

80/1

66/1

66/1

66/1

Dirk van Duijvenbode

125/1

150/1

125/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

125/1

125/1

100/1

Jermaine Wattimena

125/1

150/1

125/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

125/1

125/1

150/1

Damon Heta

150/1

150/1

125/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

125/1

Krzysztof Ratajski

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

100/1

Martin Schindler

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

Niels Zonneveld

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

William O'Connor

200/1

150/1

150/1

100/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

Cameron Menzies

150/1

200/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

Andrew Gilding

200/1

200/1

200/1

200/1

150/1

150/1

200/1

200/1

200/1

Joe Cullen

200/1

200/1

200/1

200/1

150/1

150/1

200/1

200/1

200/1

Niko Springer

200/1

250/1

200/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

150/1

200/1

Dave Chisnall

250/1

250/1

150/1

200/1

150/1

150/1

250/1

250/1

150/1

Ryan Joyce

200/1

250/1

200/1

200/1

150/1

150/1

200/1

200/1

200/1

How to Watch World Matchplay Darts

Every session of the World Matchplay is live on Sky Sports, with coverage shared across Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, and Sky Sports Plus.

Subscribers can also stream every match through the Sky Sports app, while NOW offers contract-free access for UK viewers.

International coverage is available through ESPN in the United States, alongside DAZN and Viaplay in selected territories.

When Does the World Matchplay Darts Start?

The 2026 World Matchplay begins on Saturday 18 July at 7pm, with Luke Littler launching his title defence against Niko Springer at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

The tournament concludes on Sunday, 26 July, with players competing for a £1,000,000 prize fund, including £225,000 for the winner.

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Scott McGlynn

Scott McGlynn draws on over 30 years of sports betting and casino experience, bringing data-led insights and first-hand knowledge to our readers. An authoritative and trusted voice in the gambling industry, Scott ensures our readers are always informed on the very latest sports and casino offerings.

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