The draw for the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay has been confirmed, with defending champion Luke Littler set to face Niko Springer in his opening match. Littler, who aims for back-to-back titles, secured his first World Matchplay crown last year with a remarkable comeback victory over James Wade in the final.

Other notable first-round fixtures include second seed Luke Humphries against Cameron Menzies and Michael van Gerwen taking on the in-form Andrew Gilding. The tournament, held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from July 18-26, features the top 16 players from the PDC Werner Rankings and the Pro Tour rankings. Prize money has been boosted to £1 million, with the winner receiving £225,000.

Fans can expect several high-profile matchups, including Nathan Aspinall vs. Joe Cullen and Jonny Clayton vs. Damon Heta. The event provides an early opportunity for top players to make a statement and build momentum for the season ahead, with Littler seeking to etch his name further into the history books.