2025 World Matchplay of Darts: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained

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The World Matchplay of Darts is right around the corner.

It's one of the most coveted titles a player can win on the darts calendar.

On Thursday, the draw for the 2025 World Matchplay of Darts was conducted.

After finding out the 32 qualifiers after Wednesday's action, we now know what the matchups for the first round of action will be.

MORE: Who qualified for the 2025 World Matchplay of Darts?

What to know about the World Matchplay of Darts

Let's take a look at some of the specifics of the tournament.

2025 World Matchplay draw & schedule

Below are the draw results and schedule that were released today.

First round (Day 1 evening session)

MatchDateTime (local)
James Wade (9) vs. Joe CullenSat., Jul. 197:15 p.m.
Danny Noppert (16) vs. Cameron MenziesSat., Jul. 198:15 p.m.
Luke Humphries (1) vs. Gian van VeenSat., Jul. 199:15 p.m.
Nathan Aspinall (8) vs. Wessel NijmanSat., Jul. 1910:15 p.m.

MORE: These 3 major PDC stars didn't qualify for the 2025 World Matchplay of Darts

First round (Day 2 afternoon session)

MatchDateTime (local)
Damon Heta (7) vs. Andrew GildingSun., Jul. 201:15 p.m.
Rob Cross (10) vs. Dirk van DuijvenbodeSun., Jul. 202:15 p.m.
Peter Wright (15) vs. Jermaine WattimenaSun., Jul. 203:15 p.m.
Dave Chisnall (12) vs. Mike De DeckerSun., Jul. 204:15 p.m.

First round (Day 2 evening session)

MatchDateTime (local)
Gary Anderson (13) vs. Luke WoodhouseSun., Jul. 207:15 p.m.
Jonny Clayton (5) vs. Martin SchindlerSun., Jul. 208:15 p.m.
Luke Littler (2) vs. Ryan SearleSun., Jul. 209:15 p.m.
Stephen Bunting (4) vs. Ryan JoyceSun., Jul. 2010:15 p.m.

First round (Day 3 evening session)

MatchDateTime (local)
Chris Dobey (6) vs. Ricardo PietreczkoMon., Jul. 217:15 p.m.
Gerwyn Price (11) vs. Daryl GurneyMon., Jul. 218:15 p.m.
Michael van Gerwen (3) vs. Raymond van BarneveldMon., Jul. 219:15 p.m.
Ross Smith (14) vs. Josh RockMon., Jul. 2110:15 p.m.

MORE: Bradley Brooks has career day, wins Players Championship 21

Tournament bracket

Here are the matchups for the round of 16.

MatchDate
Gian van Veen vs. Danny NoppertTBD
Wessel Nijman vs. James WadeTBD
Bunting/Joyce vs. Anderson/WoodhouseTBD
Clayton/Schindler vs. Mike De DeckerTBD
Littler/Searle vs. Jermaine WattimenaTBD
Andrew Gilding vs. Dirk van DuijvenbodeTBD
van Gerwen/van Barneveld vs. Smith/RockTBD
Dobey/Pietreczko vs. Price/GurneyTBD

Prize Money

*Data via Wikipedia

Position (no. of players)Prize money
(Total: £800,000)
Winner(1)£200,000
Runner-up(1)£100,000
Semi-finalists(2)£50,000
Quarter-finalists(4)£30,000
Second round(8)£15,000
First round(16)£10,000

MORE: 2025 Baltic Sea Darts Open: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained

Format

16 players qualified for the tournament through the Main OoM and 16 qualified through the ProTour OoM.

The Main OoM players were all seeded and matched up with a ProTour qualifier for the round of 32 (first round).

First-round games are played best-of-19 legs, with the games getting longer as the tournament progresses.

In the round of 16 (second round), games are played best-of-21 legs.

It jumps up quite a bit once the quarterfinals arrive, as the format increases to best-of-31 legs.

Lastly, the semifinal round is best-of-33 legs and the final is best-of-35 legs.

It's important to note that "All matches have to be won by two clear legs; if the scores are tied after the full distance and six extra legs, the match will be decided by a sudden death leg"(Wikipedia).

This has gone into effect before, including in the 2018 final when Gary Anderson defeated Mensur Suljovic 21-19.

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