The first television tournament of the year has arrived, as 24 players make their way to Milton Keynes to play in The Masters.

In the previous three years, the event has had much more importance, as the winner received the final spot in the Premier League.

This year though, the line up for the Premier League returned to being announced before The Masters. As such, the tournament does not have as much to play for this year, but it is a chance for players to lay a marker down for the rest of the field ahead of a long 2024 season.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the event.

How does The Masters work?

In 2021, the event expanded to 24 players, leading to a change in format.

The top eight players in the world according to the PDC rankings receive a bye into round two. This means there are eight matches on Friday, played between those who are ranked nine to 24. Number nine will play number 24, number ten will play 23, and so on.

Gerwyn Price has had to withdraw from the competition for family reasons. Under PDC rules, this means the next available will take his place in the draw. Jose De Sousa would have been next, but is unable to play, meaning it will be Daryl Gurney who steps in for the Welshman.

The eight will then take on the winners of round one in the last 16 across two sessions on Saturday. So, number one would play number 16 if they were to make it through, number two would play number 15, and so on.

The victors in round two move onto Finals Day, where the quarter finals, semi finals and eventually the final happen on the Sunday. Whoever wins the final, will become the winner of The Masters, just like Chris Dobey in 2023.

What’s the draw bracket?

The draw for the 2024 Masters is as follows:

(1) Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting/Ross Smith

(8) Peter Wright v Jonny Clayton/Krzysztof Ratajski

(4) Nathan Aspinall v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Ryan Searle

Daryl Gurney v Joe Cullen/Josh Rock

(2) Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey/Andrew Gilding

(7) Danny Noppert v Dave Chisnall/Martin Schindler

(3) Michael Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh/James Wade

(6) Rob Cross v Damon Heta/Gabriel Clemens

Round One

(9) Jonny Clayton v (24) Krzysztof Ratajski

(10) Dave Chisnall v (23) Martin Schindler

(11) Damon Heta v (22) Gabriel Clemens

(12) Joe Cullen v (21) Josh Rock

(13) Dirk van Duijvenbode v (20) Ryan Searle

(14) Dimitri Van den Bergh v (19) James Wade

(15) Chris Dobey v (18) Andrew Gilding

(16) Stephen Bunting v (17) Ross Smith

What’s the schedule?

The schedule of play is:

Friday 2 February (1900-2300 GMT)

8x Round One

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Ryan Searle

Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski

Dave Chisnall v Martin Schindler

Damon Heta v Gabriel Clemens

Dimitri Van den Bergh v James Wade

Chris Dobey v Andrew Gilding

Joe Cullen v Josh Rock

Stephen Bunting v Ross Smith

All matches best of 11 legs

Saturday 3 February

Afternoon Session (1245-1700 GMT)

4x Round Two

Danny Noppert v Dave Chisnall/Martin Schindler

Rob Cross v Damon Heta/Gabriel Clemens

Peter Wright v Jonny Clayton/Krzysztof Ratajski

Daryl Gurney v Joe Cullen/Josh Rock

All matches best of 19 legs

Evening Session (1900-2300 GMT)

4x Round Two

Nathan Aspinall v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Ryan Searle

Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting/Ross Smith

Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey/Andrew Gilding

Michael Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh/James Wade

All matches best of 19 legs

Sunday 4 February

Afternoon Session (1245-1700 GMT)

4x Quarter Finals

All matches best of 19 legs

Evening Session (1900-2300 GMT)

2x Semi Finals

Final

All matches best of 21 legs