World Matchplay Darts 2019 Draw, Live Scores and Tournament Schedule

The 26th staging of the sport’s summer show-piece sees 32 of the world’s top stars battling it out for a record £700,000 prize fund at the historic Winter Gardens.

The world’s top 16 ranked players are joined by the next 16 highest ranked players from the ProTour Order of Merit in the second most prestigious major of the season.

Gary Anderson became only the eighth different player to have lifted the trophy after he defeated Mensur Suljovic 21-19 in an epic final 12 months ago and the defending champion returns to Blackpool as the number four seed.

World number one and World Champion Michael van Gerwen is hoping to claim the crown for a third time, while James Wade is the only other former champion in the field, having triumphed back in 2007.

Peter Wright, the 2017 runner-up, is vying for a fourth consecutive PDC title, while world number two Rob Cross, Players Champion Daryl Gurney and Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price also have their sights set on glory.

This year’s World Matchplay features seven debutants, including three-time Lakeside Champion Glen Durrant, Jamie Hughes and Chris Dobey.

The tournament runs from July 20-28. First Round matches are to be contested over the best of 19 legs, Second Round best of 25, Quarter-Finals best of 31, Semi-Finals best of 33 and the final best of 35 legs.

Matches will proceed for a maximum of five additional legs before a tie-break leg is required. For example, in a best of 19 legs first round match, if the score reaches 12–12 then the 25th leg will be the decider.