Betfred World Matchplay 2025 Draw | Humphries to open title defence against Van Veen
The draw for the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay has been confirmed, with Luke Humphries to launch his title defence against Gian van Veen in Blackpool.
The 32nd staging of the prestigious major sees the top 16 players on the Main Order of Merit joined by the next 16 highest ranked players on the ProTour Order of Merit at the Winter Gardens from July 19-27.
Reigning champion Humphries is the number one seed as he bids to become only the fourth player to successfully defend the Betfred World Matchplay title.
Humphries will star on the opening night of the tournament against reigning World Youth champion Van Veen in one of the stand-out ties of the first round.
Another box-office showdown sees three-time World Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen face 2010 runner-up Raymond van Barneveld in a blockbuster all-Dutch tie.
Meanwhile, reigning World Champion Luke Littler begins his second World Matchplay campaign with a clash against former quarter-finalist Ryan Searle.
Nathan Aspinall, the 2023 champion, has been handed a showdown against emerging Dutch star Wessel Nijman – one of two debutants in this year’s field.
Cameron Menzies also marks his debut on the iconic Empress Ballroom stage with a tie against 2022 semi-finalist Danny Noppert.
Peter Wright, the 2021 champion, opens up against European Championship finalist Jermaine Wattimena, while 2007 champion James Wade faces 2023 semi-finalist Joe Cullen.
Gary Anderson, the 2018 champion, faces the returning Luke Woodhouse in Round One, while 2019 winner Rob Cross meets a resurgent Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Fourth seed Stephen Bunting, twice a World Series event winner in 2025, starts out against World Grand Prix semi-finalist Ryan Joyce, as 12th seed Dave Chisnall faces World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker.
Jonny Clayton, runner-up in Blackpool two years ago, takes on German number one Martin Schindler, while 2022 finalist Gerwyn Price faces World Cup of Darts winner Daryl Gurney.
Josh Rock, who partnered Gurney to World Cup glory for Northern Ireland last month, will take on former European Champion Ross Smith in another tasty tie.
Sixth seed Chris Dobey faces former European Tour event winner Ricardo Pietreczko, while recent ProTour event winner Damon Heta faces former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding.
Betfred World Matchplay 2025 Draw
Luke Humphries (1) v Gian van Veen
Danny Noppert (16) v Cameron Menzies
Nathan Aspinall (8) v Wessel Nijman
James Wade (9) v Joe Cullen
Stephen Bunting (4) v Ryan Joyce
Gary Anderson (13) v Luke Woodhouse
Jonny Clayton (5) v Martin Schindler
Dave Chisnall (12) v Mike De Decker
Luke Littler (2) v Ryan Searle
Peter Wright (15) v Jermaine Wattimena
Damon Heta (7) v Andrew Gilding
Rob Cross (10) v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Michael van Gerwen (3) v Raymond van Barneveld
Ross Smith (14) v Josh Rock
Chris Dobey (6) v Ricardo Pietreczko
Gerwyn Price (11) v Daryl Gurney
First Round Session Schedule
Saturday July 19 (7pm-11pm)
James Wade v Joe Cullen
Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies
Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman
Sunday July 20
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding
Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena
Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse
Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
Luke Littler v Ryan Searle
Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce
Monday July 21 (7pm-11pm)
Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko
Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
Ross Smith v Josh Rock
