The 2021 Betfred World Matchplay is here.

In this article, you’ll find out:

  • where it will take place
  • who’s involved
  • the prize money on offer
  • the schedule of play
  • how you can follow it with us

Where will the Betfred World Matchplay take place?

Last year, the tournament was forced to be played behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.

However, this year, the World Matchplay will return to the iconic Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

A limited number of fans can attend the first two days of play, but from Monday 19 July, a full crowd is expected at the venue.

You can still buy standing tickets for some sessions. Visit the PDC website to find out more.

Betfred World Matchplay
The Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool will host the Betfred World Matchplay once again. Credit: PDC

Who’s involved?

The field is made up of the top 16 from the:

After the end of the fifth Super Series event.

Seeds

1 – Gerwyn Price
2 – Peter Wright
3 – Michael van Gerwen
4 – James Wade
5 – Rob Cross
6 – Gary Anderson
7 – Michael Smith
8 – Dimitri Van den Bergh
9 – Dave Chisnall
10 – Jose De Sousa
11 – Nathan Aspinall
12 – Glen Durrant
13 – Krzysztof Ratajski
14 – Daryl Gurney
15 – Joe Cullen
16 – Jonny Clayton

Pro Tour Qualifiers

Brendan Dolan
Damon Heta
Devon Petersen
Danny Noppert
Dirk van Duijvenbode
Ross Smith
Mensur Suljovic
Stephen Bunting
Mervyn King
Luke Humphries
Gabriel Clemens
Vincent van der Voort
Ryan Searle
Ian White
Callan Rydz
Chris Dobey

What’s the prize money on offer?

The prize fund remains at £700,000 as in 2020. It’s broken down like this:

  • Winner – £150,000
  • Runner up – £70,000
  • Semi finalists – £50,000
  • Quarter finalists – £25,000
  • Second round – £15,000
  • First round – £10,000

Rob Cross will defend £150,000 on his Order of Merit ranking, after winning the title in 2019. If Voltage does not reach the quarter finals, he will drop down to at least 11th.

Michael Smith was his opponent in 2019, and he will be defending £70,000 this time around. He would drop from world number seven to world number nine, if he does not reach the semi finals.

You can view the live Order of Merit on the DartsRankings website.

What’s the schedule of play for the Betfred World Matchplay?

As defending champion, Dimitri Van den Bergh will headline the opening night of the 2021 event. Also on the bill for the opening Saturday. are World Champion Gerwyn Price, and Premier League winner Jonny Clayton.

You can view the full schedule of play here.

Who are the favourites for the title?

Even though he’s yet to win a tournament in 2021, Michael van Gerwen is still favourite to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy with title sponsors Betfred. He’s currently 9/2, while world number on Price is at 5/1.

Jose De Sousa is third favourite at 7/1, with Peter Wright just behind him at 8/1.

View the full odds here.

You must be 18 to bet on the World Matchplay. begambleaware.org.

How can I follow the Betfred World Matchplay?

The Betfred World Matchplay will be live on Sky Sports in the UK. You can also watch it outside the UK via the PDC’s broadcast partners, such as RTL or DAZN.

You can also live stream the event. Find out more here.

We’ll have you covered here at Online Darts, with reaction with every winner of every game direct from Blackpool. Head over to our Youtube channel and hit subscribe so you don’t miss a video.

We’ll have a live blog for you every session of the tournament, so you don’t miss a moment even if you can’t watch live.

Plus, we give regular updates on:

Follow all the drama of the Betfred World Matchplay with us here at Online Darts.