Luke Littler sits German test in round one of the Betfred World Matchplay at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens
The draw has been made for round one of this year’s Betfred World Matchplay at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Luke Littler will begin the defence of his Betfred World Matchplay title against Niko Springer, following Thursday’s draw for the showpiece event of the darting summer in Blackpool.
Thirty-two of the world’s top players are in action at the Winter Gardens, looking to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy and a top prize of £225,000.
The opening round sees the world’s top 16 players drawn against the top 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Rankings.
Littler, who is aiming to become only the fourth player to retain the coveted title, faces a tough opener against German star Springer: one of four debutants at the Winter Gardens.
Luke Humphries, the 2024 champion, 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.
James Wade, the winner in 2007 and 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.
The 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.
Other ties include Wessel Nijman - a winner of eight ProTour titles in 2026 - going head to head with five-time quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall, who sealed his qualification in last-gasp fashion earlier this week.
The schedule of play will be announced in due course with the full draw as follows:
Luke Littler v Niko Springer; Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen; Josh Rock v Luke Woodhouse; Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonneveld; Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding; Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode; Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta; Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce; Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies; Ross Smith v Kevin Doets; Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler; Danny Noppert v Rob Cross; Gian van Veen v Krzysztof Ratajski; Wessel Nijman v Dave Chisnall; James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena; Ryan Searle v William O’Connor.