ChatGPT’s Crystal Ball: How AI Sees the Complete 2026 World Matchplay
PDCTuesday, 14 July 2026 at 06:00
The World Matchplay 2026 is about to get underway, which means the eyes of the darts world are once again fixed on the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Over the coming days, the 32 best players will battle for one of the most prestigious titles on the PDC calendar.
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But what would the tournament look like if artificial intelligence got to decide the results? We submitted the full draw to ChatGPT and asked the AI program to predict the entire World Matchplay.
Round by round, ChatGPT simulated the tournament’s progression and produced a complete schedule, from opening night through to the final. The predictions immediately throw up some striking outcomes. A recent World Championship finalist crashes out in the first round, several seeded players are tipped to pack their bags early, and the AI also expects a number of nail-biters to be settled after extra legs.
Curious which players ChatGPT has reaching the next round and who ultimately takes home the Phil Taylor Trophy? Below you’ll find all predicted results for the World Matchplay 2026.
World Matchplay 2026 predictions by ChatGPT
First round
If ChatGPT’s forecast comes true, the opening round of the 2026 World Matchplay promises fireworks from the start. While most favorites are expected to deliver, the artificial intelligence also foresees a few notable surprises at the Winter Gardens.
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For instance, ChatGPT has Chris Dobey, Ross Smith, Danny Noppert, and Gian van Veen all bowing out after just one match. The defeat of World Championship finalist Gian van Veen to Krzysztof Ratajski particularly stands out. Danny Noppert is also tipped to fall despite being a seed, while Dirk van Duijvenbode is predicted to spring a surprise.
The AI also predicts multiple thrillers decided only in extra legs. Jonny Clayton is tipped to edge Damon Heta 12-10 after a genuine nail-biter, while Gary Anderson (11-9 against Ryan Joyce) and Wessel Nijman (11-9 against Dave Chisnall) are both expected to dig deep to reach round two.
On the other side of the draw, the biggest title contenders are expected to make few mistakes, according to ChatGPT. Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, and Josh Rock are all tipped to reach the last 16 without major issues.
| Luke Littler | 10-5 | Niko Springer |
| Nathan Aspinall | 10-8 | Joe Cullen |
| Josh Rock | 10-7 | Luke Woodhouse |
| Stephen Bunting | 10-6 | Niels Zonneveld |
| Michael van Gerwen | 10-7 | Andrew Gilding |
| Chris Dobey | 8-10 | Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| Jonny Clayton | 12-10 | Damon Heta |
| Gary Anderson | 11-9 | Ryan Joyce |
| Luke Humphries | 10-6 | Cameron Menzies |
| Ross Smith | 8-10 | Kevin Doets |
| Gerwyn Price | 10-7 | Martin Schindler |
| Danny Noppert | 8-10 | Rob Cross |
| Gian van Veen | 6-10 | Krzysztof Ratajski |
| Wessel Nijman | 11-9 | Dave Chisnall |
| James Wade | 10-7 | Jermaine Wattimena |
| Ryan Searle | 10-6 | William O'Connor |
Second round
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The biggest thriller of the last 16, according to the AI, would be Jonny Clayton versus Gary Anderson. After a nerve-jangling battle, the Welshman is predicted to edge it 13-11. Josh Rock is also expected to be pushed to the limit before shaking off Stephen Bunting. The Northern Irishman ultimately wins 12-10 to reach the quarterfinals.
Michael van Gerwen is tipped to defeat Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-9 to make the last eight in Blackpool once more. Wessel Nijman is predicted to continue his run by beating Krzysztof Ratajski 11-8 to secure his first major quarterfinal.
Former champion Rob Cross is projected to produce another upset by eliminating Gerwyn Price, having already ousted Danny Noppert. Kevin Doets sees his Winter Gardens debut come to an end. He pushes Luke Humphries hard but goes down 11-7.
According to ChatGPT, Wessel Nijman reaches his first major quarterfinal at the World Matchplay
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| Luke Littler | 11-6 | Nathan Aspinall |
| Josh Rock | 12-10 | Stephen Bunting |
| Michael van Gerwen | 11-9 | Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| Jonny Clayton | 13-11 | Gary Anderson |
| Luke Humphries | 11-7 | Kevin Doets |
| Gerwyn Price | 9-11 | Rob Cross |
| Krzysztof Ratajski | 8-11 | Wessel Nijman |
| James Wade | 11-8 | Ryan Searle |
Quarterfinal
According to ChatGPT, the quarterfinals reach an exceptionally high level, but only one quarterfinal truly becomes a thriller. That, says ChatGPT, is the clash between Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton. In a match full of momentum shifts and big checkouts, both players push each other to the limit, with Clayton ultimately edging it 17-15. That brings an end to the title ambitions of the three-time World Matchplay champion.
Meanwhile, the fairy tale continues for Wessel Nijman. The Dutchman confirms his strong form by defeating former winner James Wade 16-11, booking a place in the World Matchplay semifinals for the first time in his career. It would mark another huge milestone for the young Dutchman, who, according to ChatGPT, firmly establishes himself among the world’s elite.
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Luke Littler and Luke Humphries also live up to their billing. The reigning champion dispatches Josh Rock convincingly (16-10), while Humphries proves too strong for Rob Cross with a 16-11 win. As a result, the top two seeds remain in the title hunt, and the tournament, according to the prediction, is set for a dream finish with four elite players in the semifinals.
| Luke Littler | 16-10 | Josh Rock |
| Michael van Gerwen | 15-17 | Jonny Clayton |
| Luke Humphries | 16-11 | Rob Cross |
| Wessel Nijman | 16-11 | James Wade |
Semifinals
According to ChatGPT, fans at the Winter Gardens get the final many hoped for beforehand. The artificial intelligence predicts that both Luke Littler and Luke Humphries win their semifinals, setting up a head-to-head battle for the Phil Taylor Trophy.
Littler faces Jonny Clayton in the first semifinal, the man who earlier eliminated Michael van Gerwen. The Welshman, the AI suggests, offers excellent resistance, but ultimately has to concede 17-12 to the reigning World Matchplay champion. That sends “The Nuke” into the Blackpool final for the second year running.
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In the other semifinal, Wessel Nijman’s impressive tournament, according to ChatGPT, just falls short of the ultimate reward. The Dutchman, who had knocked out James Wade along the way, makes life very difficult for Luke Humphries, but eventually comes up short 17-13.
| Luke Littler | 17-12 | Jonny Clayton |
| Luke Humphries | 17-13 | Wessel Nijman |
Final
If this prediction holds, the world number one and two square off for the Phil Taylor Trophy. According to ChatGPT, Luke Littler seizes the initiative early, but Luke Humphries refuses to yield and stays on the heels of his great rival throughout. The match remains tight for long stretches, with both Englishmen regularly firing in maximums and scarcely missing on the doubles.
ChatGPT believes Luke Littler will once again win the World Matchplay
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Still, ChatGPT expects the reigning champion to be just a shade more clinical at the key moments. With an 18-15 victory, Luke Littler, the AI suggests, makes history again by successfully defending his World Matchplay crown. He would be the first player since Michael van Gerwen (2015-2016) to win the Blackpool title in back-to-back years.
| Luke Littler | 18-15 | Luke Humphries |
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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