History of World Matchplay and Previous Winners: Find out more here about Winter Gardens spectacle

The World Matchplay Darts is one of the most prestigious tournaments in professional darts. Organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), it has been a highlight of the darts calendar since its inception.

Nathan Aspinall is the defending champion going into this year's tournament having defeated Jonny Clayton last year 18-6 and will aim to defend his title this time around. He will be joined as one of the favourites by duo Luke Littler and Luke Humphries as well as former winners including Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson.

A staple of the PDC calendar and seen by many as the second biggest tournament on the calendar behind the World Championship, it has always been held at the prestigious Winter Gardens in the seaside town of Blackpool.

Click here to follow our Live Score for the 2024 World Matchplay.

Inception and Early Years (1994-1999)

• 1994: The inaugural World Matchplay was held at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, England. Larry Butler from the USA won the first title, defeating Dennis Priestley in the final.
• The tournament quickly gained popularity due to its unique format and the quality of the matches.

Growth and Establishment (2000-2009)

• 2000: Phil Taylor began his dominance in the tournament, winning his first World Matchplay title. Taylor's success in this event would become legendary.
• 2000-2009: Phil Taylor won the World Matchplay eight times in this decade, establishing a stronghold on the title. His incredible performances included multiple nine-dart finishes and dominant victories.

The Phil Taylor Era (2000-2013)

• 2000-2013: Phil Taylor's era saw him winning a total of 16 World Matchplay titles, solidifying his status as the greatest player in the history of the tournament. His reign included a record-breaking performance in 2010, where he achieved two nine-dart finishes in a single match.
• Taylor's consistent excellence made the World Matchplay synonymous with his name.

Post-Taylor Era and New Champions (2014-Present)

• 2014: Michael van Gerwen won his first World Matchplay title, ending Phil Taylor's dominance. Van Gerwen's aggressive style and consistent high scoring made him a fan favorite.
• 2017: Phil Taylor won his final World Matchplay title before retiring, marking the end of an era. His victory over Peter Wright was an emotional and fitting farewell to the tournament he had dominated for so long.
• 2018: Gary Anderson won his first World Matchplay title, showcasing his skill and cementing his place among the darting elite.
• 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was held behind closed doors in Milton Keynes, deviating from its traditional Blackpool venue. Dimitri Van den Bergh emerged as the champion, marking his first major PDC title.
• 2021-2023: The tournament returned to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen continued to showcase their talents, with Wright winning in 2021 and van Gerwen reclaiming the title in 2022. Nathan Aspinall won the 2023 edition, securing his first World Matchplay title.

Tournament Format

The World Matchplay features a unique format compared to other major darts tournaments:

• Matches are played in a legs format rather than sets.
• Players must win by two clear legs, leading to some dramatic and extended matches.
• The tournament starts with a first-round field of 32 players, comprising the top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit and 16 qualifiers from the PDC ProTour.

Significance and Legacy

The World Matchplay is renowned for its electric atmosphere at the Winter Gardens, a venue steeped in darts history. The combination of passionate fans, high-quality matches, and the allure of the Blackpool stage has made it a beloved event in the darts community.

Phil Taylor's unprecedented success has set a high bar, and each year's tournament brings anticipation and excitement as new champions emerge and legacies are built. The World Matchplay remains a testament to the sport's growth and the skill of its players.

World Matchplay Darts Winners and Finals

Winners and Finals by Year

1. 1994: Larry Butler def. Dennis Priestley 16–12
2. 1995: Rod Harrington def. Dennis Priestley 16–11
3. 1996: Peter Evison def. Dennis Priestley 16–14
4. 1997: Phil Taylor def. Alan Warriner 16–11
5. 1998: Rod Harrington def. Ronnie Baxter 19–17
6. 1999: Rod Harrington def. Peter Manley 19–17
7. 2000: Phil Taylor def. Alan Warriner 18–12
8. 2001: Phil Taylor def. Richie Burnett 19–12
9. 2002: Phil Taylor def. John Part 18–16
10. 2003: Phil Taylor def. Wayne Mardle 18–12
11. 2004: Phil Taylor def. Mark Dudbridge 18–8
12. 2005: Colin Lloyd def. John Part 18–12
13. 2006: Phil Taylor def. James Wade 18–11
14. 2007: James Wade def. Terry Jenkins 18–7
15. 2008: Phil Taylor def. James Wade 18–9
16. 2009: Phil Taylor def. Terry Jenkins 18–4
17. 2010: Phil Taylor def. Raymond van Barneveld 18–12
18. 2011: Phil Taylor def. James Wade 18–8
19. 2012: Phil Taylor def. James Wade 18–15
20. 2013: Phil Taylor def. Adrian Lewis 18–13
21. 2014: Michael van Gerwen def. James Wade 18–12
22. 2015: Michael van Gerwen def. James Wade 18–12
23. 2016: Michael van Gerwen def. Phil Taylor 18–10
24. 2017: Phil Taylor def. Peter Wright 18–8
25. 2018: Gary Anderson def. Mensur Suljović 21–19
26. 2019: Rob Cross def. Michael Smith 18–13
27. 2020: Dimitri Van den Bergh def. Gary Anderson 18–10
28. 2021: Peter Wright def. Dimitri Van den Bergh 18–9
29. 2022: Michael van Gerwen def. Gerwyn Price 18–14
30. 2023: Nathan Aspinall def. Jonny Clayton 18–6

Summary of the Winners

Phil Taylor

• Titles: 16 (1995, 1997, 2000-2004, 2006, 2008-2011, 2012, 2013, 2017)
• Final Appearances: 17
• Summary: Dominated the World Matchplay like no other player, making him the most successful player in the tournament's history. Known for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure, Taylor set numerous records, including his iconic two nine-dart finishes in 2010.

Rod Harrington

• Titles: 2 (1998, 1999)
• Final Appearances: 3
• Summary: Won back-to-back titles and was one of the top players of the late 1990s. Known for his strategic play and mental toughness.

Michael van Gerwen

• Titles: 3 (2015, 2016, 2022)
• Final Appearances: 5
• Summary: One of the most dominant players of the modern era, van Gerwen's aggressive and high-scoring style made him a formidable opponent. He has consistently been a top contender in every tournament he enters.

James Wade

• Titles: 1 (2007)
• Final Appearances: 5
• Summary: Known as "The Machine," Wade has been a consistent performer in the World Matchplay, reaching multiple finals and winning in 2007. His cool demeanor and precision finishing are his trademarks.

Gary Anderson

• Titles: 1 (2018)
• Final Appearances: 2
• Summary: A two-time PDC World Champion, Anderson finally captured his World Matchplay title in 2018. His smooth throwing style and scoring ability make him a fan favorite.

Peter Wright

• Titles: 1 (2021)
• Final Appearances: 2
• Summary: Known for his colorful outfits and unique hair, "Snakebite" Wright won his first World Matchplay in 2021, adding to his World Championship title. His unique personality and consistency make him a prominent figure in darts.

Dimitri Van den Bergh

• Titles: 1 (2020)
• Final Appearances: 2
• Summary: The young Belgian player broke through with his first major PDC title at the World Matchplay in 2020. His exciting style and emotional play have made him a rising star in the sport.

Nathan Aspinall

• Titles: 1 (2023)
• Final Appearances: 1
• Summary: Aspinall's first World Matchplay title in 2023 showcases his potential to be one of the future stars of the sport. Known for his resilience and strong finishing, he has quickly risen through the ranks.

Other Notable Winners

• Larry Butler: The inaugural winner in 1994.
• Colin Lloyd: Won in 2005, a highlight of his career.
• Rob Cross: The 2018 PDC World Champion won his first World Matchplay in 2019.

The World Matchplay continues to be one of the most exciting and prestigious events in the darts calendar, attracting the best players in the world and producing memorable moments year after year.