The PDC have confirmed that the 2020 World Matchplay will take place on it's original date of July 18-26 with the event being given the green light.

The tournament which features 32 players vying it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy will be the first televised PDC tournament since the Coronavirus outbreak; it sees the PDC make it's first steps into bringing back live action.

It will be shown in the UK as usual on Sky Sports; but there are still questions to be answered in terms of a potential crowd and venue change for the event.

The PDC have revealed that they are working with the UK Government in order to stage it at the historic Winter Gardens; with a crowd subject to regulations; but if that is not the case, a decision will be made by July 4 whether it can.

If not, it will be staged behind closed doors at an alternative, appropriate venue; meaning it would move from Blackpool for the first time in it's history.

Further details will be announced in due course for ticket holders; with a refund or deferral option available. There will also be news regarding potential Players Championship events shortly.

Event set to take place "with or without a crowd" - Porter

"It is still our intention to be able to stage the World Matchplay with a crowd and we remain in talks with all relevant parties in a bid to achieve this," said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter.

"We have worked hard with the venue, our broadcast partners and other parties to look at alternative dates later in the year, but with no guarantees of how restrictions may be lifted we have taken the decision to retain the original dates so that the Betfred World Matchplay can play a major part in our sport's return to action.

"Giving fans the chance to apply for a refund for this year's tickets or to retain their booking will give them a chance to make their own decision in relation to the event either immediately or when a final announcement is made in the coming weeks.

"The World Matchplay will be broadcast in full by Sky Sports as well as the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners, and with or without a crowd we're working as hard as possible to make the 2020 tournament as special as ever."

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