What are the longest matches played in World Matchplay history?

The 2024 edition of the World Matchplay gets underway next Saturday in Blackpool. Due to the interesting format where matches must be won by two clear legs, some ties have gone a lot longer than planned.

The World Matchplay first took place in 1994, the innaugral summer showpiece of the PDC was then surprisingly won by American darter, Larry Butler, who defeated former World Champion Dennis Priestley, 16-12 in the final. The record for longest ever final however, came in the form of an epic showdown between Gary Anderson and Mensur Suljovic. In the end, Anderson got the better of Suljovic 21-19 in the 2018 final to lift the title.

Previous rounds of the tournament have also seen many matches go deep into extra legs over the course of the World Matchplay's history. Remarkably, among them we again come across the name of Gary Anderson, who that same year, 2018, won the longest ever quarterfinal tie in Winter Gardens history, 19-17 over Joe Cullen to reach the final four. It's fair to say that the Flying Scotsman really did have to work hard for his title that year.

By the skin of his teeth, James Wade ensured himself another World Matchplay appearance in 2024. Going back to 2006 however, The Machine was involved in a titanic semifinal struggle with Dutchman Roland Scholten. In the end, Wade triumphed 19-17 to book his place in the final, where he would eventually lose out 18-11 to Phil Taylor.

Curious to see if we can witness such exciting matches at the Winter Gardens again this year. The draw has already provided a pair of absolute crackers in the first round with the clashes between Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler, plus Michael Smith and Gary Anderson. To beat the record for the longest first round match in Matchplay history however, the 17-15 win for Bob Anderson over Peter Manley from back in 2002 will have to be overcome.