113.68 was the staggering three-dart average struck by teenage world number one Luke Littler in his second-round victory over Nathan Aspinall at the Winter Gardens. The 19-year-old defending champion also landed a nine-darter during that masterclass, solidifying his status as the odds-on favourite to retain the Phil Taylor Trophy in Blackpool. Tonight, the quarter-final stage heats up further as the remaining contenders battle for a share of the boosted £1m prize pot.
What People Are Searching For
Darts fans across GB are eagerly searching for the latest scores, schedule, and match updates for the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay. The primary focal point is whether Luke Littler can maintain his dominant sweep of major PDC titles this year, alongside tracking the quarter-final clashes at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool.
What Is Confirmed
The 2026 World Matchplay features a total prize fund increased by £200,000 to £1m, with the eventual winner taking home £225,000. In the opening quarter-final match on Thursday, July 23, unseeded Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode defeated 2018 champion Gary Anderson 16-13 to secure the first place in Saturday's semi-finals.
The remaining quarter-final line-up is set across Thursday and Friday evenings, with matches played over the best of 31 legs:
- Thursday, July 23: Luke Littler v Josh Rock
- Friday, July 24 (20:05 BST): Ross Smith v Gerwyn Price
- Friday, July 24 (20:05 BST): Gian van Veen v James Wade
What Is Unconfirmed
While Luke Littler is heavily favoured at 8-15 to retain his crown, his quarter-final outcome against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock remains to be determined on the oche. Furthermore, line-ups for the second semi-final match scheduled for Saturday evening depend entirely on Friday's results between Ross Smith, Gerwyn Price, Gian van Veen, and James Wade.
The Bigger Picture
Littler has already captured the World Championship, World Masters, UK Open, Premier League, and World Cup of Darts in 2026. A victory in Blackpool would make him only the fourth player in PDC history to successfully defend the World Matchplay title. The tournament also concludes on Sunday, July 26 with the Women's World Matchplay, where reigning champion Lisa Ashton faces competition from top seed Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock for a £15,000 top prize.
Latest Status
Dirk van Duijvenbode is officially the first semi-finalist after his 16-13 win over Gary Anderson. The winner of Thursday's match between Luke Littler and Josh Rock will face Van Duijvenbode in Saturday's semi-finals, while Sky Sports continues live coverage from the Winter Gardens through to Sunday's final.
- Order of Merit
- The official ranking system used by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) based on prize money won over a two-year period.
- Nine-Darter
- The perfect leg in the game of darts, achieved by clearing a score of 501 using the minimum possible number of nine darts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the World Matchplay Darts held?
The tournament takes place at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England.
What is the prize money for winning the World Matchplay in 2026?
The winner of the men's tournament receives £225,000 from a total £1m prize pot, while the women's tournament winner receives £15,000.
Where can viewers in the UK watch the action live?
All sessions of the Betfred World Matchplay are broadcast live across Sky Sports channels and available to stream via NOW.
What is the match format for the quarter-finals?
Quarter-final matches are played as straight knockout legs over the best of 31 legs, requiring two clear legs to win up to a sudden-death leg at 18-18.