ANALYSIS: Level at World Matchplay has grown exponentially over the years

Looking back at the storied history of the World Matchplay, it’s easy to focus on the iconic moments: legendary finals, breathtaking finishes, and unforgettable champions gracing the stage at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. But beyond the drama, the numbers tell a compelling story of evolution—one that reflects just how dramatically the standard of darts has risen over the past 30 years.

In the early days, the tournament’s average hovered well below the elite mark. The inaugural World Matchplay in 1994 produced a modest tournament average of just 84.06. Fast-forward to 2024, and the bar has been raised to unprecedented heights with a record average of 97.04, the highest in the event’s history. Simply put, the level of performance once sufficient to win a title wouldn’t even be enough to survive the first round today.

Between 1994 and 2004, progress was gradual, with averages creeping up by mere tenths each year. It wasn’t until around 2010 that the 90–95 range became the new norm. A major shift occurred around 2013, when the tournament average surpassed 94 for the first time, followed by standout years in 2014 (95.84) and 2015 (95.81).

However, the past few years have seen the most dramatic leap. The tournament averages hit 96.15 in 2022, climbed to 96.25 in 2023, and reached a new milestone of 97.04 in 2024.

A deeper dive into round-by-round data shows just how universal this rise has become. In 1994, the average in the quarter-finals was 89.61. Three decades later, in 2024, it had surged to 96.82, a near seven-point jump. In today’s game, any player not consistently averaging close to 100 simply has no chance of reaching the final weekend.

Finals averages tell a similar tale. From 90.70 in the first edition, the peak surged to 102.83 in 2002, and again to 104.34 in 2014. Over the past five editions, the final has consistently produced averages north of 98. The 2024 final landed at 99.84, agonizingly close to breaking the triple-digit barrier.

With the sport evolving at such a relentless pace, it feels inevitable that the day will come when a tournament average over 100 is finally achieved.