Draw confirmed for 2021 Masters, field expanded to 24 players

Wednesday, 06 January 2021 at 10:30

The 2021 Masters has been announced and will expand to feature 24 players from January 29-31 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

Peter Wright will defend his title in this year's tournament having defeated Michael Smith in 2020 to end Michael van Gerwen's reign as five-time champion.

It will now see an increased prize fund, an extra session and eight more players involved when play commences on Friday January 29.

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Players ranked 9-24 following the World Championship will face off in the first round on the opening day. Ties include Joe Cullen v Stephen Bunting, Premier League champion Glen Durrant facing Mervyn King while Grand Slam champion Jose de Sousa will face Jonny Clayton.

The world's top eight players will then enter at the second round stage on Saturday January 30 with two sessions set to take place.

Gerwyn Price as new World Number One and World Champion will face Cullen or Bunting. Gary Anderson fresh off reaching the World final will face Michael Smith or Adrian Lewis in a potential tie of the round.

As alluded to Wright will be defending champion and he will face Krzysztof Ratajski or Simon Whitlock. While Michael van Gerwen will face the winner of De Sousa and Clayton as he looks to regain the title in Milton Keynes.

While there is also the matter of the final Premier League spot with the likes of Dave Chisnall, James Wade and the aforementioned Michael Smith trying to get themselves into the reckoning in a pivotal tournament potentially for the weekly roadshow.

Draw Bracket

(1) Gerwyn Price v (16) Joe Cullen/(17) Stephen Bunting

(8) Gary Anderson v (9) Michael Smith/(24) Adrian Lewis

(4) Rob Cross v (13) Glen Durrant/(20) Mervyn King

(5) Nathan Aspinall v (12) Ian White/(21) Mensur Suljovic

(2) Michael van Gerwen v (15) Jose de Sousa/(18) Jonny Clayton

(7) James Wade v (10) Dimitri Van den Bergh/(23) Chris Dobey

(3) Peter Wright v (14) Krzysztof Ratajski/(19) Simon Whitlock

(6) Dave Chisnall v (11) Daryl Gurney/(22) Jeffrey de Zwaan

First Round Draw

(16) Joe Cullen v (17) Stephen Bunting

(9) Michael Smith v (24) Adrian Lewis

(13) Glen Durrant v (20) Mervyn King

(12) Ian White v (21) Mensur Suljovic

(15) Jose de Sousa v (18) Jonny Clayton

(10) Dimitri Van den Bergh v (23) Chris Dobey

(14) Krzysztof Ratajski v (19) Simon Whitlock

(11) Daryl Gurney v (22) Jeffrey de Zwaan

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The 2021 @Ladbrokes Masters has been expanded to 24 players and will take place on January 29-31 at @MarshallArena, live on @ITV4 and various international broadcasters ➡️ pdc.tv/news/2021/01/0…