Schedule World Matchplay 2024: Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and defending champ Nathan Aspinall star on opening night

The playing schedule for the 2024 World Matchplay has been announced. Three (former) world champions and the defending champion will play on the opening night, while the cracker between Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler is scheduled on the third day of play.

The 31st edition of the World Matchplay is scheduled for July 13-21 in Blackpool. The program for the opening night is one to savour. The tournament begins with a great match between Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney. Then Raymond van Barneveld takes the stage for his match against Jonny Clayton. Luke Humphries begins his tournament against Ricardo Pietreczko, while defending Nathan Aspinall closes out the evening with a meeting against Luke Woodhouse.

On Sunday, July 14, there will be two sessions. The afternoon session will be opened by Ross Smith and Josh Rock. After that, it's Danny Noppert's turn to take on James Wade. Dimitri van den Bergh will get the task of upholding Belgium's honour on Sunday afternoon against Martin Schindler. Stephen Bunting and Ryan Joyce will also play in the afternoon session.

In the evening, the session gets underway with a clash between former tournament winner Rob Cross and debutant Gian van Veen. Joe Cullen then takes on Brendan Dolan, while Peter Wright faces Andrew Gilding. Dessert of the evening is provided by Dave Chisnall and Krzysztof Ratajski. Sunday's sessions begin at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. However, the PDC has indicated that if England reaches the final of Euro 2024, these times will be adjusted.

On Monday, July 15, the final four matches of the first round will be played. The program for this day of play is also one to savour. Damon Heta and Ryan Searle open the third day of play, before Michael Smith and Gary Anderson will battle for a spot in the last sixteen. Then it's time for the cracker between three-time tournament winner Michael van Gerwen and teenage sensation Luke Littler. The final match of the first round is between Chris Dobey and Ritchie Edhouse.

The second round will be played on July 16 and 17, before the World Matchplay quarterfinals are scheduled for July 18 and 19. The two semifinals are on Saturday, July 20, before the final takes place on Sunday, July 21.

Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney

Jonny Clayton v Raymond van Barneveld

Luke Humphries v Ricardo Pietreczko

Nathan Aspinall v Luke Woodhouse

Ross Smith v Josh Rock

Danny Noppert v James Wade

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Martin Schindler

Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce

Rob Cross v Gian van Veen

Joe Cullen v Brendan Dolan

Peter Wright v Andrew Gilding

Dave Chisnall v Krzysztof Ratajski

Damon Heta v Ryan Searle

Michael Smith v Gary Anderson

Michael van Gerwen v Luke Littler

Chris Dobey v Ritchie Edhouse

Second Round

Second Round

Quarterfinals (2x)

Quarterfinals (2x)

Semifinals

Final