Luke Littler will begin the defence of his Betfred World Matchplay title against Niko Springer, with the draw for the showpiece event of the summer now confirmed. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will take place from July 18-26 in Blackpool, as a star-studded 32-player field competes for the iconic Phil Taylor Trophy and a boosted top prize of £225,000. Littler […]
Luke Littler will begin the defence of his Betfred World Matchplay title against Niko Springer, with the draw for the showpiece event of the summer now confirmed.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will take place from July 18-26 in Blackpool, as a star-studded 32-player field competes for the iconic Phil Taylor Trophy and a boosted top prize of £225,000.
Littler is aiming to become only the fourth player to retain the coveted title, although he faces a tough opener against German star Springer – one of four debutants at the Winter Gardens.
The opening round sees the world’s top 16 players drawn against the top 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Rankings, as 2024 champion Luke Humphries takes on Scottish number two Cameron Menzies.
Michael van Gerwen opens his bid for a fourth World Matchplay title against Andrew Gilding, in a repeat of their memorable 2023 UK Open final, while Dutch number one Gian van Veen kicks off his campaign against Poland’s premier player Krzysztof Ratajski.
2007 champion James Wade – runner-up to Littler last year – plays Jermaine Wattimena, with former finalists Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price pitted against Damon Heta and Martin Schindler respectively.
Josh Rock returns to the Empress Ballroom to take on ProTour leader Luke Woodhouse, while Danny Noppert has been handed an intriguing tie against 2019 champion Rob Cross.
2018 winner Gary Anderson begins his latest title tilt against Ryan Joyce, as 2023 champion Nathan Aspinall locks horns with Joe Cullen in a repeat of their semi-final showdown three years ago.
Elsewhere, Wessel Nijman – a winner of eight ProTour titles in 2026 – goes head-to-head with five-time quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall, who sealed his qualification in last-gasp fashion earlier this week.
Title sponsor Betfred have installed Littler as the even-money favourite to retain the Phil Taylor Trophy, with his World Cup partner Humphries priced at 9/2 to reclaim the crown.
Nijman is 10/1 to win his maiden televised ranking title at the Winter Gardens, with 2022 runner-up Price the fourth favourite at 12/1.
NB: The schedule of play for the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will be announced in due course.
2026 Betfred World Matchplay
Draw Bracket
(1) Luke Littler v Niko Springer
(16) Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen
(8) Josh Rock v Luke Woodhouse
(9) Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonneveld
(4) Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding
(13) Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode
(5) Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta
(12) Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce
(2) Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies
(15) Ross Smith v Kevin Doets
(7) Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler
(10) Danny Noppert v Rob Cross
(3) Gian van Veen v Krzysztof Ratajski
(14) Wessel Nijman v Dave Chisnall
(6) James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena
(11) Ryan Searle v William O’Connor
Betfred Odds
Tournament Winner
1/1 Luke Littler
9/2 Luke Humphries
10/1 Wessel Nijman
12/1 Gerwyn Price
16/1 Michael van Gerwen
20/1 Gian van Veen
28/1 Jonny Clayton
33/1 Kevin Doets, Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson
40/1 Chris Dobey, James Wade, Josh Rock
50/1 Rob Cross, Ryan Searle, Nathan Aspinall
66/1 Luke Woodhouse, Ross Smith, Danny Noppert
100/1 Dirk van Duijvenbode
150/1 William O’Connor, Krzysztof Ratajski, Niels Zonneveld, Jermaine Wattimena, Damon Heta, Martin Schindler
200/1 Cameron Menzies, Andrew Gilding, Joe Cullen, Dave Chisnall
250/1 Niko Springer, Ryan Joyce
Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy betfred.com. Subject to fluctuation.