The 2026 World Matchplay opens at the Winter Gardens with Michael van Gerwen under serious ranking pressure, defending a £100,000 haul earned after his 2024 loss to Luke Humphries. A defeat to Andrew Gilding could see MVG drop to 7th globally, forcing him to rediscover the form seen at Players Championship 15, where he blasted a 122.34 average.

Nijman has emerged as the tournament’s dark horse, winning six Players Championship titles in 2026 and two European Tour events in Gottingen and Bratislava. The Dutchman’s averages never dipped below 95 in the events he won, peaking at 102.78, and he is the only top‑16 seed without a nickname, citing their silliness.

Other contenders include Danny Noppert, who missed the 2026 Premier League but is a Pro Tour order‑of‑merit qualifier, and Rob Cross, fresh off a Players Championship 22 title. Zonneveld, making his debut, has a notable win over Littler at the Belgian Darts Open.

With the field stacked, every match at Blackpool promises drama, as players vie for the coveted Winter Gardens trophy.