This evening saw the Betfred World Matchplay schedule confirmed, as the PDC released some good and bad news for fans.

The popular double header on the opening Sunday has been removed, with the main changes seeing:

• each session start no earlier than 6pm BST
• five first round games over the opening three days
• the final to start at 8.30pm BST on Sunday 26 July

The World Matchplay will happen away from the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool for the first time this year. The event will be behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 26 July.

32 players will still compete for the Phil Taylor Trophy. The top 16 on the PDC Order of Merit will be seeded for the event, and the top 16 from the Pro Tour Order of Merit who aren’t in the top 16 on the normal order of merit also qualify.

Players will have a chance to qualify this week, as the PDC Summer Series happens in the same venue. We’ll have full coverage across the week here at Online Darts.

2020 Betfred World Matchplay session schedule (all times BST)

Saturday July 18 (1800)
5x first round matches

Sunday July 19 (1800)
5x first round matches

Monday July 20 (1800)
5x first round matches

Tuesday July 21 (1800)
1x first Round, 4x second round matches

Wednesday July 22 (1900)
4x second round matches

Thursday July 23 (1900)
2x quarter-finals

Friday July 24 (1900)
2x quarter-finals

Saturday July 25 (2000)
semi-finals

Sunday July 26 (2030)
final

 

All the action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, if you don’t have Sky then don’t worry as the World Matchplay can also be streamed live. Visit this page to see how.