Every year, the pilgrimage to Blackpool for the Betfred World Matchplay is always looked upon with fondness and anticipation by darts fans.

32 of the world’s top players will make the journey to the seaside bidding to win the second biggest ranking event of the year and take home the Phil Taylor Trophy.

2024’s edition however promises to be extra special. The draw has given us matches that are befitting of the final itself. Seeded players are in huge danger, and there is a genuine case that anyone of the field could be victorious on Sunday 21 July.

If the players give us in practice what we expect on paper, we could be in for one of the truly great weeks in the sport’s history.

Blackpool ready for Betfred World Matchplay

Whether you’re going for the first time, the 31st time, or somewhere in between, walking into the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool is a spine tingling moment for anyone. You immediately feel the weight of historical matches gone before. Those extra leg classics, those surprising moments, those winning doubles. There really is nothing quite like it.

It’s still the only place the PDC have visited every year of their existence (bar 2020, for obvious reasons). It’s the only venue left that sells standing tickets. Tickets themselves were so difficult to get, showing the appetite for the game as a whole, but also a recognition of just how special it is to see a session there in person.

This writer’s favourite ever session of darts came at the Winter Gardens on day four in 2019. On that night, Mervyn King defeated Gary Anderson 11-8 in an excellent contest, plus there were also three extra leg games, culminating in the then BDO World Champion Glen Durrant defeating PDC World Champion Michael van Gerwen 13-11 en route to a semi final place in his Betfred World Matchplay debut to a huge ovation.

It’s also extremely difficult to win this event. To win at least 10 or 11 legs in the opening two rounds is tough, but then you have to win at least 16,17 and 18 legs in your quarter final, semi final and the final respectively, potentially on three consecutive nights. Considering it is the second biggest ranking tournament, it should be brutal, but it’s a monumental effort both physically and mentally for all involved.

Whoever does win this Betfred World Matchplay will have earned it, particularly in the quality of the field that will be on show over the nine days of competition.

“The most dangerous non seeded group of players of all time”

Once again, we come into the Betfred World Matchplay with no clear and obvious favourite.

The smart money suggests that world champion and world number one Luke Humphries will reach the showpiece game for the first time in his career. The Newbury ace has been playing excellent stuff for nine months now and, after reaching the semi finals in 2023, will be looking to go at least one better and get his hands on another piece of silverware, which would be his fifth TV ranking title in seven events.

Don’t discount those that have already had success in this tournament though. 2021 winner Peter Wright is starting to find a little bit of rhythm again after a dismal 12 months bar winning the European Championship. Defending champion Nathan Aspinall is always one to never underestimate either, while 2020 champion Dimitri Van den Bergh will be looking to win this event in front of a crowd for the first time and add to his UK Open title he won in March.

Then there is three time victor Michael van Gerwen, who won the tournament last in 2022 and defending his £200,000 winner’s prize money on his ranking. The Green Machine will be looking to change the stat of not winning a ranking title in 2024, but he couldn’t have got a harder draw if he tried.

Van Gerwen will take on the Premier League champion, and the hottest star on planet darts right now, Luke Littler, in perhaps the most anticipated first round clash in Betfred World Matchplay history. The 17 year old has followed up his magical run to the world final on debut with multiple non ranking victories on the World Series, as well ranking titles on the Pro Tour and Euro Tour. Can The Nuke now tick off one of the few remaining things on his CV left and win his first televised ranking major?

Littler heads up arguably the most dangerous non seeded group of players of all time at the Winter Gardens. 2018 champion Gary Anderson is also on the list, where he takes on 2019 runner up Michael Smith in another master v apprentice clash.

Then there’s the likes of James Wade, who won this title back in 2007 after reaching the final on debut 12 months prior. He loves this event, and knows how to win it. Raymond van Barneveld is also returning to the Winter Gardens, to take on the runner up last time out in Jonny Clayton. Can Barney make a deep run in Blackpool once again?

There’s also his compatriot Gian van Veen, who takes on 2019 champion Rob Cross in another standout first round game. The list goes on, and you can see the full draw here.

To stay on the Blackpool theme, this tournament will be a rollercoaster. Expect seeds dumped out early, incredible matches, and some huge changes in the rankings by the time we leave on Sunday 21 July.

The Betfred World Matchplay is guaranteed to leave you on the edge of your seat throughout. Buckle up, enjoy the ride.