Luke Littler looks to make it consecutive Betfred World Matchplay titles at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens

Luke Littler aims to put himself in exalted company by winning back-to-back Betfred World Matchplay titles in Blackpool.

The 2026 tournament begins on Saturday night at the Winter Gardens, where Littler meets German debutant and Hungarian Darts Trophy champion Niko Springer.

Littler, who averaged more than 105 in claiming his maiden Blackpool victory last year, can join Rod Harrington, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in claiming consecutive Matchplay crowns.

“Last year, I turned all the wrongs into rights,” said the 19-year-old, who fell at the first hurdle to van Gerwen on his debut in 2024.

“I’d love to put myself in the category of players to go back-to-back at the Matchplay.

“Last year, there were quite a few times I was 5-0 down but I found a way to get myself out of it, crawl back into the game and get over the line.

“As soon as you get the first two games out of the way, the format gets longer and longer.

“Being on stage for ages, it gets hotter and hotter, but I like that. I can grow into the game, get better as the game goes on.

“As the tournament goes on, hopefully I can reach another final and defend it again.”

Thirty-two players are in action, hoping to win the Phil Taylor Trophy and the £225,000 top prize.

The first round pits the world’s top 16 against the 16 top-performing ProTour qualifiers from the one-year rankings.

As well as Littler and Springer, Saturday night sees Northern Irish number one Josh Rock take on the top-performing ProTour qualifier, Luke Woodhouse.

Former Masters winner Stephen Bunting faces Dutch debutant Niels Zonneveld, while 2023 winner Nathan Aspinall meets former Premier League runner-up Joe Cullen.

Sunday afternoon’s action is headlined by van Gerwen, with the three-time champion playing former UK Open winner Andrew Gilding.

The winner will meet either Dirk van Duijvenbode or former Masters winner Chris Dobey, who also play in the same session.

Gary Anderson, the 2018 winner, takes on Ryan Joyce, while Welsh number one Jonny Clayton plays Australia’s Damon Heta.

On Sunday night, Dutch number one Gian van Veen locks horns with Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, while fellow Dutch seed Wessel Nijman takes on Dave Chisnall.

Nijman enters his second World Matchplay having won eight ProTour titles in 2026.

“I did not expect to win this many titles, especially two European Tour titles as well,” confessed Nijman, who has surged from 29th to 14th in the world since the turn of the year.

“My confidence is very high, not only for the World Matchplay but for the next six months.

“I think the Winter Gardens in Blackpool is the best venue we have.

“The venue itself is very special, the fans are fantastic and it’s so hard to qualify for an event like this.

“I enjoyed it very much last year and I’m looking forward to playing here again. I believe I can make a big impact.”

Sunday night opens with Irish darting stalwart William O’Connor making his World Matchplay debut against World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle.

That is followed by the match between 2007 champion James Wade and Jermaine Wattimena.

Wade, last year’s runner-up, returns to the stage where he shot to the forefront of the sport by reaching the final on his debut in 2006.

“Twenty years, it’s still my favourite tournament and my favourite venue,” he revealed.

“It’s a small, intimate crowd in Blackpool, but they’re genuinely passionate darts fans and that’s a refreshing recipe for darts players.

“I think the first time I played here I was 23. I feel more relaxed nowadays and I’m more confident than the young man who first started.

“I would love to lift this title again and I think I will in the next few years.”

Monday evening sees 2024 champion Luke Humphries begin his bid for his second title against Scottish World Cup star Cameron Menzies.

The 2019 winner, Rob Cross, enters the fray against former UK Open champion Danny Noppert, while former world champion Gerwyn Price takes on German number one Martin Schindler.

Dutchman Kevin Doets will make his Winter Gardens debut that night against former European champion Ross Smith and cannot wait to get started after a stellar 12 months.

“These are the sorts of moments I’ve been working for since I won a Tour Card,” said Doets, a winner on the Players Championship circuit for the first time in May.

“I won my first title, I made my first European Tour final and I pushed Luke Littler very close at the UK Open, so I’m in a really good place right now and hopefully I can continue that.

“I really enjoy playing on the big stages, and I really enjoy playing in front of a big crowd. I think it brings the best out of me.

“I’m looking forward to the World Matchplay, and hopefully I’m going to produce some good results.”