Luke Littler can be out to defend his Betfred World Matchplay title later this month because the world champion headlines a star-studded discipline heading to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for this yr’s event, stay on Sky Sports activities.
The Englishman clinched the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy after beating James Wade 18-13 within the closing of final yr’s occasion, recovering from going 5-0 right down to seal an enthralling comeback victory and turn out to be the fifth participant in historical past to finish the ‘Triple Crown’.
The 19-year-old can be seeded No 1 for the 32-player occasion, which is because of function the highest 16 gamers from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder in addition to the most effective 16 gamers from the one-year ProTour rankings.
Prize purses for the 2026 occasion have been boosted to £1m, with the winner set to pocket £225,000.
Littler can be trying to bounce again after he suffered a deciding-leg defeat to Luke Humphries within the closing of the US Darts Masters final month.
Luke Humphries (left) beat Littler (proper) within the closing of the US Darts Masters final month
Humphries has been ranked because the No 2 seed for the World Matchplay and can be out to win his second title at this occasion.
Elsewhere, Stephen Bunting and Gerwen Value are each out to win their first World Matchplay titles, with Value hoping to bounce again from his first-round defeat by Harry Ward on the Gamers Championship 23.
Stephen Bunting is certainly one of a number of large names within the draw this yr
The sector was confirmed on Tuesday night after Gabriel Clemens sealed victory within the closing of the Gamers Championship 24 in Leicester in opposition to England’s Luke Woodhouse.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t all heartbreak for Woodhouse, who will enter the World Matchplay because the top-ranked ProTour qualifier.
Jermaine Wattimena, Kevin Doets and Rob Cross be part of him as different gamers to have certified from the ProTour Rankings.
The draw for the Betfred World Matchplay is scheduled to happen on Thursday, July 9.
High 16 qualifiers from the Werner Ladder
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Littler can be out to defend his World Matchplay crown this week after beating James Wade on the 2025 occasion
(Gamers seeded for first spherical draw)
1. Luke Littler
2. Luke Humphries
3. Gian van Veen
4. Michael van Gerwen
5. Jonny Clayton
6. James Wade
7. Gerwyn Value
8. Josh Rock
9. Stephen Bunting
10. Danny Noppert
11. Ryan Searle
12. Gary Anderson
13. Chris Dobey
14. Wessel Nijman
15. Ross Smith
16. Nathan Aspinall
High 16 Qualifiers from ProTour Rankings
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Littler accomplished the ‘Triple Crown’ when he received in 2025
Luke Woodhouse
Jermaine Wattimena
Kevin Doets
Andrew Gilding
Rob Cross
Krzysztof Ratajski
William O’Connor
Niko Springer
Niels Zonneveld
Martin Schindler
Ryan Joyce
Dirk van Duijvenbode
Cameron Menzies
Joe Cullen
Damon Heta
Dave Chisnall
When is the World Matchplay stay on Sky Sports activities?
The World Matchplay commences on Saturday, July 18 and ends on Sunday, July 26.
All 9 days of the occasion can be proven stay on Sky Sports activities, with protection of the opening day commencing on Sky Sports activities+ at 7pm Not received Sky? Get instantaneous entry with NOW
