Scott Mitchell accepts the final invitation for the JenningsBet World Seniors Matchplay.

Scott Mitchell accepts the final invitation for the JenningsBet World Seniors Matchplay.

The 16-player field will battle it out live on BT Sport between the 2nd and 3rd of September at The Barbican in York in a bid to dethrone Robert Thornton. Last year, the Thorn won the inaugural Matchplay tournament in Hull.

Scotty Dog is a former BDO World Champion who made his WSDT debut at the Circus Tavern in the JenningsBet World Seniors Darts Championship, falling to eventual champion Robert Thornton.

Richie Howson, the king of the qualifiers and a three-time WSDT TV finalist, has also qualified for the tournament. Because the Owl is not caught in the Money List Order of Merit, he is guaranteed a berth in the event.

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams, two WSDT TV regulars, will be back in action as two of the most successful players of all time look for their first World Seniors title.

John Part will lead a trio from North America to York. Former World Seniors Master David Cameron from Canada will join the three-time World Champion. Leonard Gates, the Champion of Champions and newly awarded World Seniors Master will represent the United States.

Three more world champions have accepted invitations, including Trina Gulliver, Neil Duff, and Glen Durrant, as Duzza puts down the mic and returns to the oche for the first time since February.  Kevin Painter, a former Players Championship finalist, rounds out the lineup as he looks to improve on his three WSDT TV Semi-Final performances.

Four players will qualify for the event during a qualification weekend in Reading from July 28th to July 30th.  Two individual qualifier event winners, the Order of Merit Leader, and the Money List Leader (now occupied by Howson) will comprise the four players. Should he win a qualifier or finish first in the Order of Merit, those qualification methods would be preferred).

Billy Lovell of the World Seniors Darts Tour said: “York is no stranger to live sport, but we are super excited to be bringing a darts tournament to The Barbican. Especially one that is loaded with such quality. The standard of play on the World Seniors Darts Tour this year has been fantastic, and we are sure it will continue to get even better”