Schedule confirmed for 2022 World Matchplay: Defending champion Wright, Clayton and Van den Bergh to headline opening night

The schedule has been confirmed ahead of the 2022 World Matchplay which will take place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool between July 16-25.

Saturday night as ever sees the tradition continue of the defending champion opening proceedings up with both Peter Wright and finalist last year in Dimitri van den Bergh headlining. They will face Madars Razma and Callan Rydz respectively.

With multiple major winner, Jonny Clayton facing Rowby-John Rodriguez and Krzysztof Ratajski - Stephen Bunting also set for Saturday evening.

Sunday sees one of the tastiest afternoon sessions in the history of the tournament as Dirk van Duijvenbode will bring out his high-octane walk-on (to the crowd at 1pm instead of the evening) to face Ryan Searle.

While UK Open champion Danny Noppert follows facing recent ProTour winner once more in Brendan Dolan. Gary Anderson won't be on during the Evening Session and instead plays Daryl Gurney in the afternoon, while Michael Smith and Andrew Gilding will collide in a clash of two form players in World Darts, with Goldfinger making his return to the major stage.

The evening session will all be about two players in particular as Michael van Gerwen faces Adrian Lewis in the most highly anticipated tie of the opening round. Will MVG be ready to return after surgery fully or will Lewis continue his resurgence and snap a losing streak against the Dutchman?

While Luke Humphries - truly the man of the moment in terms of titles this year and a hot outside tip to win the title this year faces Nathan Aspinall who has been resurgent himself.

To start the session, it will be Joe Cullen facing Damon Heta in another barnstormer followed by James Wade, a former winner facing one of the debutants in 'Smash' Martin Lukeman.

Monday evening will conclude the first round with former champion, Rob Cross facing Chris Dobey, Jose de Sousa taking on Gabriel Clemens before Gerwyn Price will return from holiday to take on Martin Schindler. While Kim Huybrechts, who will look to erase his dismal Blackpool record faces Dave Chisnall.

Krzysztof Ratajski v Stephen Bunting

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Callan Rydz

Peter Wright v Madars Razma

Jonny Clayton v Rowby-John Rodriguez

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Ryan Searle

Danny Noppert v Brendan Dolan

Gary Anderson v Daryl Gurney

Michael Smith v Andrew Gilding

Evening Session (1930 BST)

Joe Cullen v Damon Heta

James Wade v Martin Lukeman

Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis

Luke Humphries v Nathan Aspinall

Rob Cross v Chris Dobey

Jose de Sousa v Gabriel Clemens

Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler

Dave Chisnall v Kim Huybrechts

4x Second Round

4x Second Round

2x Quarter-Finals

2x Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Women's World Matchplay – Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final

Final