World Matchplay 2027: Dates, Blackpool Schedule, Format and Prize Money
Nine days at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, 17–25 July 2027. Here is the World Matchplay schedule, how qualifying works, the format and the prize money.
The World Matchplay 2027 takes place from Saturday 17 to Sunday 25 July 2027 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. It is one of the most prestigious titles in darts — second only to the World Championship for many players — and the winner lifts the Phil Taylor Trophy.
On this page
- Dates: Saturday 17 – Sunday 25 July 2027
- Venue: Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England
- Players: 32
- Format: Legs (final first to 18 legs in 2026)
- Prize fund: £1,000,000 (2026 level; £225,000 to the winner)
- UK TV: Sky Sports
- Defending champion: Luke Littler
World Matchplay 2027 schedule
| Dates | Event | TV (UK) | Starts (your time) |
|---|---|---|---|
17Jul
17–25 Jul 2027
|
World Matchplay 2027 Major Winter Gardens, Blackpool | Sky Sports | Times TBC |
25Jul
25 Jul 2027
|
Women’s World Matchplay 2027 Women's Series Winter Gardens, Blackpool | TBC | Times TBC |
Start times are converted automatically for every visitor. You are seeing: UK time
The tournament runs for nine days, from the first round on the opening weekend to the final on Sunday 25 July. The Women’s World Matchplay is played in Blackpool on the same final day. The PDC confirms the draw and session times shortly before the event, and we will add them here, converted to your time zone. Note that the UK is on BST in July, one hour ahead of GMT.
How players qualify
In 2026 the 32-player field was made up of:
- the top 16 on the two-year PDC Order of Merit (seeded), and
- the top 16 on the one-year ProTour Order of Merit who were not already qualified.
That means good form in the first half of 2027 — at the World Masters, the UK Open, the Players Championships and the new European Open — can earn a place in Blackpool.
Format
The World Matchplay is a straight knockout played in legs, and the matches are long. These were the 2026 lengths:
| Round | Match length |
|---|---|
| First round | First to 10 legs (sudden death at 12–12) |
| Second round | First to 11 legs (sudden death at 13–13) |
| Quarter-finals | First to 16 legs (sudden death at 18–18) |
| Semi-finals | First to 17 legs (sudden death at 19–19) |
| Final | First to 18 legs (sudden death at 20–20) |
Long matches reward consistency, which is why upsets are rarer here than at short-format events like the Grand Slam group stage.
Prize money
The World Matchplay prize fund was raised to £1,000,000 in 2026, with £225,000 to the champion. The PDC has not announced a change for 2027.
Recent winners
Luke Littler won his first World Matchplay title in 2025, beating James Wade 18–13 in the final, and defended it in 2026. He goes into 2027 chasing a hat-trick in Blackpool.
How to watch
The World Matchplay is live on Sky Sports in the UK. For other countries, see our darts on TV guide.
All other 2027 dates are in our darts schedule 2027, and everything coming up next is on the live darts schedule.
Source: the PDC 2027 calendar announcement. For everything else coming up, see our live darts schedule.
World Matchplay 2027 FAQ
When is the World Matchplay 2027?
From Saturday 17 to Sunday 25 July 2027.
Where is the World Matchplay held?
At the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England.
Who won the World Matchplay in 2026?
Luke Littler, who successfully defended the title he first won in 2025.
How much does the World Matchplay winner get?
In 2026 the champion received £225,000 from a £1,000,000 prize fund.
What channel is the World Matchplay on?
Sky Sports in the UK.
When is the Women’s World Matchplay 2027?
Sunday 25 July 2027, in Blackpool, on World Matchplay finals day.
