Men's Draw confirmed for 2022 WDF Lakeside World Championship: Adams faces Cole in first round, top seed Raman takes on Gates or Haines

The Men's draw has been completed ahead of the 2022 WDF Lakeside World Championship, the inaugural edition of the tournament which will take place at the iconic venue from April 2-10, 2022. The event was originally scheduled to take place in January but has been postponed to the spring due to possible corona measures.

Martin Adams will make his return to Lakeside for the first time since 2018 as a player and is set to face off against current MAD Global Champion and Development Tour title winner, Jarred Cole with a tie against 16th seed, Antony Allen awaiting the winner.

Top seed will be Brian Raman with the Belgian set to face off against the tough American, Leonard 'Soldier' Gates or recent WDF qualifier, Johnny Haines.

Luke Littler at the age of 14 is one of the youngest players ever to play in the tournament with Leighton Bennett a bit younger when he played at the BDO edition in 2020 but he is eighth seed after his Irish Open win.

He is set to face Ben Hazel or New Zealand ace, Haupai Puha who has previously played in the PDC edition and the World Cup of Darts so has experience on the big stage.

Richard Veenstra is one of only a few players with real experience on the Lakeside stage in the line-up and will be among the favourites to seal a first World title. He faces Andreas Harrysson or Laszlo Kadar.

Same can be said for Ross Montgomery with 'The Boss' who will make his 14th World Championship appearance and 13th at Lakeside where he has had a best of a Quarter-Final defeat in 2015. He will hope to finally get it right in Frimley Green when he faces Aaron Turner or Jim McEwan in a tough assignment.

Other ties to watch include Thibault Tricole who is second seed potentially facing the highly fancied, Connor Scutt or Shawn Burt. Andy Baetens similarly has been spoken about as a potential outside shot for the title but faces Dave Parletti or Shaun McDonald.

Jules van Dongen makes his debut on the big stage after a superb year on the US circuit where he has really caught the eye. He faces Francesco Raschini or Ryan de Vreede on his debut.

While Scott Marsh could face either James Richardson or Sebastian Steyer. Wayne Warren returns as the final BDO World Champion and will take on Lee Shewan or Jordan Brooks.

Brian Raman – BEL (1) Vs Leonard Gates / Johnny Haines

Antony Allen – ENG (16) Vs Martin Adams / Jarred Cole

Luke Littler – ENG (8) Vs Ben Hazel / Haupai Puha

Richard Veenstra - NED (9) Vs Andreas Harrysson / Laszlo Kadar

Ross Montgomery – SCO (4) Vs Aaron Turner / Jim McEwan

Michael Warburton – WAL (13) Vs Mark Graham / Dave Prins

Neil Duff – NIR (5) Vs Paul Hogan / Justin Thompson

Nick Fullwell – ENG (12) Vs Mark Barilli / Rory Hansen

Thibault Tricole - FRA (2) Vs Connor Scutt / Shawn Burt

Alexsey Kadochnikov – RTF (15) Vs Steve Hine / Kevin Luke

Andy Baetens – BEL (7) Vs Dave Parletti / Shaun McDonald

Scott Marsh – ENG (10) Vs James Richardson / Sebastian Steyer

Wayne Warren – WAL (3) Vs Lee Shewan / Jordan Brooks

Cameron Menzies – SCO (14) Vs Ian Jones / David Cameron

James Hurrell – ENG (6) Vs John Desreumaux/ Mario Vandenbogaerde

Jules van Dongen - USA (11) Vs Francesco Raschini / Ryan de Vreede