2026 World Matchplay Day 3 Preview: Star-Studded Monday Closes Out Opening Round in Blackpool

The opening round of the 2026 World Matchplay reaches its conclusion on Monday night at the Winter Gardens, where the final four places in the last 16 will be decided under the iconic chandeliers of the Empress Ballroom. The first weekend of action has already delivered explosive scoring and dramatic extra-legs battles, setting a high standard for the remaining first-round ties.

Monday’s session features a compelling mix of previous champions, major winners, and dangerous debutants. Reigning World Champion and 2024 Matchplay king Luke Humphries takes center stage, alongside former finalist Gerwyn Price and a heavyweight clash between major title winners Danny Noppert and Rob Cross. With the tournament’s leg-play format requiring a two-clear-leg advantage to advance, these four matches offer fascinating potential.

Ross Smith vs. Kevin Doets

The evening’s action opens with a clash of styles between one of the sport’s most explosive maximum hitters and a highly anticipated debutant. Ross Smith arrives in Blackpool as one of the most feared scorers on the global circuit. “Smudger” consistently posts tournament averages well north of the 100 mark on both the European Tour and ProTour circuits, utilising a rapid-fire rhythm designed to dictate the pace of play.

Standing in his way is Kevin Doets, who steps onto the Empress Ballroom stage for the first time after a solidqualifying campaign on the ProTour Order of Merit. Doets possesses a smooth, methodical throwing action that thrives under pressure, yet the primary challenge for the young Dutchman will be handling the constant scoreboard pressure created by Smith’s relentless maximum hitting.

Ross Smith ranks among the top three PDC players for 180s per leg over the past 12 months and he will be looking to add to his tally at the 2026 World Matchplay.

Gerwyn Price vs. Martin Schindler

The second tie of the evening presents a blockbuster encounter between former World Champion Gerwyn Price and Germany’s number one, Martin Schindler. Price holds a decorated history with the Winter Gardens crowd, most notably reaching the final in 2022. The Welshman thrives on intense stage energy, and when his combination of relentless power-scoring and animated stage presence, he remains one of the most formidable forces in the sport.

However, Martin Schindler represents a significantly upgraded threat compared to previous years. “The Wall” has enjoyed a spectacular rise over the last few years, securing multiple European Tour titles and regularly matching the world’s elite on television. Schindler’s compact, rapid throw allows him to build immediate momentum, making him an incredibly dangerous opponent in a legs-only format where early breaks of throw are critical. The German has claimed victory in two of their last three televised and European Tour meetings so the threat to Price is real.

Luke Humphries vs. Cameron Menzies

Luke Humphries begins his quest to reclaim the Phil Taylor Trophy in a highly anticipated clash against the always box-office Cameron Menzies. Humphries has set the benchmark for consistency at the top of the sport, developing an elite gear that allows him to execute 11 and 12-dart legs seamlessly during long, multi-leg formats.

Menzies makes his appearance not just as a crowd favorite, but as a player who has produced some of the highest floor averages in the world over recent months. “Cammy” is a pure rhythm player capable of matching anyone for raw power-scoring when he finds his timing early. The tactical focal point will be how Menzies manages the long best-of-19 leg structure against a champion who ruthlessly capitalizes on any drop in scoring consistency.

Luke Humphries maintained an extraordinary tournament average of 100.94 across his entire 2024 title-winning run in Blackpool and if he can recreate that form then Scotsman may struggle to hold on to his coat tails.

Danny Noppert vs. Rob Cross

The opening round concludes with a heavyweight battle between former UK Open Champion Danny Noppert and 2019 World Matchplay winner Rob Cross. This encounter appears one of the tightest matchups on paper of the entire first round. Noppert is a master of efficient, clinical execution, rarely poducing unforced errors and relying on an unshakeable midset to punish his opponents errors.

Rob Cross fundamentally excels in the match-play environment. “Voltage” has demonstrated a brilliant affinity for the Winter Gardens stage over the years, thriving in contests that demand patience. Having reached multiple major finals in his career, Cross retains an elite ceiling that can turn a match on it’s head. This final tie promises to be a grueling battle  where clinical finishing on the outer ring will dictate the winner.

Cross is one of  seven players in the 2026 World Matchplay field to have previously lifted the Phil Taylor Trophy, the other six have already booked their place in round 2.

2026 World Matchplay Day 3 Schedule of Play

Monday, July 20 (19:00 BST)

First Round (Best of 19 legs)

• Ross Smith vs. Kevin Doets

• Gerwyn Price vs. Martin Schindler

• Luke Humphries vs. Cameron Menzies

• Danny Noppert vs. Rob Cross