12/07/2021

Schedule released for 2021 World Matchplay: Defending champion Van den Bergh, Price and Clayton set for opening night

The schedule has been released ahead of the 2021 World Matchplay which is set to return home to its spiritual venue of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

A venue that has not seen Dimitri van den Bergh adorn its stage with the defending champion set to headline the opening night which will include minimal fans before wide scale restrictions are lifted in time for Monday July 19 in the UK.

He will face Devon Petersen in a battle of the walk-ons and on the oche too in a night that will also include World Number One, Gerwyn Price returning in front of fans for the first time after his Premier League withdrawal. He faces late replacement Jermaine Wattimena.

Suljovic withdraws from World Matchplay due to medical reasons, replaced by Wattimena

As well as Dave Chisnall and Vincent van der Voort who will open proceedings up followed by a tantialising tungsten tussle between Premier League champion Jonny Clayton and World Grand Prix finalist and debutant, Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Sunday's double session sees James Wade and Rob Cross, two former champions in action against Luke Humphries in Ross Smith as well as Glen Durrant v Callan Rydz and the in-form History Maker, Brendan Dolan taking on Krzysztof Ratajski.

As well as in the evening, Peter Wright and Jose de Sousa, two of the favourites for the title facing Danny Noppert and Gabriel Clemens.

The first round is set to conclude on Monday in front of a capacity crowd, with Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson in action against debutant Damon Heta and recent ProTour winner and in-form Stephen Bunting.

The second round is set for Tuesday July 20 and Wednesday July 21, before the quarter-finals are staged across Thursday July 22 and Friday July 23.

While Saturday July 24 is where the semi-finals will take place, before the final is held on Sunday July 25 with the Phil Taylor Trophy on the line.