​2026 World Matchplay of Darts: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Outside of the World Championship, the World Matchplay is one of the most entertaining majors on the darts calendar each year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt never fails to entertain, and we often see the best players in the world clash in intense, long-format matches.32 players will head to Blackpool looking to make it all the way to Sunday evening, but only one will come away from that night with a trophy and £225,000 to their name.Let’s take a look at some of the specifics of the tournament.MORE: 2026 World Matchplay Darts qualifiers*This section will be updated once the draw and schedule are released on ThursdayHere is the bracket for the tournament.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement(1) Luke Littler vs. Niko Springer(16) Nathan Aspinall vs. Joe Cullen(8) Josh Rock vs. Luke Woodhouse(9) Stephen Bunting vs. Niels Zonneveld(4) Michael van Gerwen vs. Andrew Gilding(13) Chris Dobey vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode(5) Jonny Clayton vs. Damon Heta(12) Gary Anderson vs. Ryan Joyce(2) Luke Humphries vs. Cameron Menzies(15) Ross Smith vs. Kevin Doets(7) Gerwyn Price vs. Martin Schindler(10) Danny Noppert vs. Rob Cross(3) Gian van Veen vs. Krzysztof Ratajski(14) Wessel Nijman vs. Dave Chisnall(6) James Wade vs. Jermaine Wattimena(11) Ryan Searle vs. William O’ConnorLuke Littler/Niko Springer vs. Nathan Aspinall/Joe CullenJosh Rock/Luke Woodhouse vs. Stephen Bunting/Niels ZonneveldMichael van Gerwen/Andrew Gilding vs. Chris Dobey/Dirk van DuijvenbodeJonny Clayton/Damon Heta vs. Gary Anderson/Ryan JoyceLuke Humphries/Cameron Menzies vs. Ross Smith/Kevin DoetsGerwyn Price/Martin Schindler vs. Danny Noppert/Rob CrossGian van Veen/Krzysztof Ratajski vs. Wessel Nijman/Dave ChisnallJames Wade/Jermaine Wattimena vs. Ryan Searle/William O’ConnorMORE: Big names set to miss the 2026 World Matchplay of Darts*This section will be updated once the draw and schedule are released on ThursdayMatchDateTime (local)Josh Rock vs. Luke WoodhouseSat., Jul. 187:15 p.m.Stephen Bunting vs. Niels ZonneveldSat., Jul. 188:15 p.m.Luke Littler vs. Niko SpringerSat., Jul. 189:15 p.m.Nathan Aspinall vs. Joe CullenSat., Jul. 1810:15 p.m.MatchDateTime (local)Chris Dobey vs. Dirk van DuijvenbodeSun., Jul. 191:15 p.m.Gary Anderson vs. Ryan JoyceSun., Jul. 192:15 p.m.Michael van Gerwen vs. Andrew GildingSun., Jul. 193:15 p.m.Jonny Clayton vs. Damon HetaSun., Jul. 194:15 p.m.MatchDateTime (local)Ryan Searle vs. William O’ConnorSun., Jul. 197:15 p.m.James Wade vs. Jermaine WattimenaSun., Jul. 198:15 p.m.Gian van Veen vs. Krzysztof RatajskiSun., Jul. 199:15 p.m.Wessel Nijman vs. Dave ChisnallSun., Jul. 1910:15 p.m.MatchDateTime (local)Ross Smith vs. Kevin DoetsMon., Jul. 207:15 p.m.Gerwyn Price vs. Martin SchindlerMon., Jul. 208:15 p.m.Luke Humphries vs. Cameron MenziesMon., Jul. 209:15 p