Winmau World Masters 2026 | Day One Preview and Order of Play

The 2026 Winmau World Masters commences in Milton Keynes on Thursday as a host of star names bid to avert an early exit.

The first televised ranking event of the season sees the world’s top 24 players joined by a further eight qualifiers as they compete for the £100,000 top prize at Arena MK.

A star-studded opening night features a number of intriguing ties over the short sets format, including last year’s runner-up Jonny Clayton up against Dutch qualifier Wessel Nijman.

Clayton enjoyed a terrific start to the campaign 12 months ago, defeating Luke Littler en route to the final – where he was narrowly denied glory in a last-set decider by Luke Humphries.

The Welsh number one went on to reach a further three major ranking semi-finals in 2025, as well as the final of the World Cup of Darts, and was rewarded with a return to the Premier League line-up.

Nijman, meanwhile, came through Wednesday’s Preliminary Rounds to reach the televised stages for the first time, averaging 101 and 105.5 in wins over Stefan Bellmont and Gabriel Clemens respectively, whilst also thrashing Niko Springer in straight sets.

Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen opens up with a clash against Aussie number one – Damon Heta.

Van Gerwen started the season in style by securing the Bahrain Masters title – his 17th World Series triumph, and now sets his sights on a first televised ranking title since 2022.

Now Dutch number two, MVG claimed the World Series Finals title in Amsterdam last year and holds fond memories of the old Masters format, having won the title on five consecutive occasions from 2015-2019.

Heta starts the season outside of the world’s top 16 after a torrid year of results in TV majors, which included five consecutive first round exits and a third round whitewash to Rob Cross at the World Championship.

Gary Anderson looks to pick up from where he left off at Alexandra Palace earlier this month when he takes on debutant qualifier Niels Zonneveld.

Anderson, 55, rolled back the years to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship, climbing back to sixth in the Order of Merit as a result, and also picked up a European Tour title and Players Championship title in 2025.

Zonneveld was one of three Dutchmen to progress through the Preliminary Rounds, dropping just two sets in defeating Jesus Solate, Henry Coates and Kim Huybrechts in the process.

World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen starts out with a tie against two-time major semi-finalist Ryan Joyce.

Less than a fortnight on from his landmark run to the final at Ally Pally, Van Veen began the new season by finishing runner-up at the Bahrain Masters and is gearing up for his Premier League debut in Newcastle next Thursday.

The Dutch number one and reigning European Champion is making his first appearance in the main stages of the World Masters and will be keen to maintain his clinical run of form.

Joyce secured the 24th and final Order of Merit qualification spot despite a disappointing end to 2025 which culminated in a second round defeat to Krzysztof Ratajski at the World Championship.

Former World Champion Gerwyn Price is tasked with a tricky opener against an in-form James Hurrell.

Price suffered a shock second round exit to Wesley Plaisier in straight sets at Ally Pally before reaching the semi-finals in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

Four times a major semi-finalist last year, ‘The Iceman’ is looking to end a five-year wait for a televised ranking title since the 2021 Grand Slam and comes into the new season as world number 12.

Hurrell seemingly sustained the incredible form he showed at Ally Pally in reaching the Last 16, notably averaging 111.6 in a straight sets rout of Joe Cullen in Wednesday’s Preliminary Rounds.

Two-time major winner Nathan Aspinall starts out against 2024 WDF World Champion Shane McGuirk.

Aspinall was a semi-finalist in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this month and enjoyed a fine season in 2025, picking up three European Tour titles and finishing runner-up at the Players Championship Finals.

McGuirk has enjoyed a memorable month in his career, coming through UK Qualifying School to seal a two-year Tour Card, before defeating Cameron Menzies, Keane Barry and Scott Waites 24 hours ago en route to qualification for his first PDC major since the 2021 UK Open.

Ten-time major winner James Wade gets his campaign off and running with a tie against Latvia’s Madars Razma.

Wade enjoyed his best season since 2021, reaching the final of both the UK Open and World Matchplay, whilst also picking up a Players Championship title.

However, the year ended in familiar fashion with an early exit to Ricky Evans at the World Championship, ultimately quashing his hopes of a return to the Premier League.

Razma, meanwhile, battled through the qualifying rounds to seal his spot in the main event courtesy of wins over Cor Dekker, Kevin Doets and Krzysztof Ratajski.

The opening match of the night sees former Masters champion Chris Dobey take on Dutch star Jermaine Wattimena.

Dobey secured his maiden televised title here in 2023 and added a trio of ProTour titles last season, but struggled on the big stage, reaching just one major quarter-final.

Wattimena enjoyed the best year of his career to date, storming to two Players Championship titles and the semi-finals of the Players Championship Finals to move within sight of the world’s top 16.

The action gets under way from 7pm GMT, with first round ties to be contested over the best of five sets. All sets are the best of three legs.

WATCH THE WINMAU WORLD MASTERS STREAMED LIVE HERE

18+ | Geo Restrictions may apply | Please Gamble Responsibly

Winmau World Masters 2026 Day One Schedule

Thursday January 29

First Round

7pm-11pm
Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson v Niels Zonneveld
James Wade v Madars Razma
Nathan Aspinall v Shane McGuirk
Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price v James Hurrell
Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
Gian van Veen v Ryan Joyce