World No.1 Luke Humphries is the defending champion
Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting and James Wade among others in action in Blackpool
Recommended bet: Gerwyn Price to win
High summer in the world of darts means high drama on the Golden Mile as the best players in the world gather in Blackpool for the World Matchplay.
Defending champion and world No.1 Luke Humphries leads a top-class field of 32 into the Empress Ballroom where players will have to battle searing heat as well as high-class opposition in one of the most famous theatres in the darting world.
Luke Littler fell at the first on his debut last year but has gone on to land countless major titles, including the World Championship, and is the 15/8 favourite.
The latest World Matchplay odds are available on LiveScore Bet
In-form Price can prevail
Gerwyn 'The Iceman' Price can keep his cool in the furnace that is the Winter Gardens and strike gold at the World Matchplay.
Price, a finalist in 2022 and seven-time major winner, heads for the Fylde coast in the richest of form and ready to shrug off back-to-back second round Matchplay exits by going all the way.
The Welshman is enjoying a fantastic year with a trio of Players Championship floor successes and has won two mid-size stage events in the last couple of weeks.
Two weeks ago he beat Stephen Bunting 8-7 in the final of the Poland Masters and then a few days later claimed the scalps of Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson among others to take Baltic Sea Open glory.
His big seed in his quarter is Michael van Gerwen who Gezzy would beat more often than not these days.
Back Gerwyn Price to win at 8/1 with LiveScore Bet
Bunting enjoying fine year
Bunting's run to the final in Poland earlier this month was just the latest excellent run from a player enjoying a sensational 2025.
'The Bullet' has won on the European Tour, two World Series events and also on the floor in a Players Championship heat, and has made light of his dismal showing in the Premier League.
Indeed, his numbers in the Premier League weren't that bad, he just got into a losing rut.
He is a confidence player and when his gander is up he can fly. He has never gone beyond the last eight at the Matchplay but this could be his year to strike.
Back Stephen Bunting each-way at 20/1 with LiveScore Bet
Wade to impress again
Bunting might not have had much joy down the years at the Winter Gardens but it's a home from home for James Wade.
The ageless Machine has visited 19 times and is a six-time finalist and thrice semi-finalist, most recently last year.
People keep writing off the 42-year-old and every year he defies the doom by producing some great results and this year is no different.
The left-hander won PC19 last month and absolutely thrives on the stage where his doubling under pressure makes him a handful for any bigger-scoring opponent.
Wade is housed in the top quarter, a tough quarter featuring the likes of Humphries and Nathan Aspinall, but the bigger the reputations, the better the Hampshire ace seems to go.
