Darts
World Matchplay Darts: A Complete Guide to Previous Winners and History
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the World Matchplay Darts Tournament. In this guide, we will explore the rich history of the World Matchplay Darts Tournament, notably the previous winners since its inception in 1994.
Introduction to the World Matchplay Darts Tournament
The following section will provide a brief summary of what the World Matchplay Darts Tournament is, and provides some history into the context of the tournament.
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Prize Money | Sponsor | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Larry Butler | 16-12 | Dennis Priestley | £42,400 | Proton Cars | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 1995 | Phil Taylor | 16-11 | Dennis Priestley | £42,400 | Webster's | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 1996 | Peter Evison | 16-14 | Dennis Priestley | £46,000 | Webster's | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 1997 | Phil Taylor | 16-11 | Alan Warriner | £46,000 | Webster's | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 1998 | Rod Harrington | 19-17 | Ronnie Baxter | £58,000 | PDC | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 1999 | Rod Harrington | 19-17 | Peter Manley | £58,000 | PDC | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2000 | Phil Taylor | 18-12 | Alan Warriner | £58,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2001 | Phil Taylor | 18-10 | Richie Burnett | £65,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2002 | Phil Taylor | 18-16 | John Part | £75,500 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2003 | Phil Taylor | 18-12 | Wayne Mardle | £80,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2004 | Phil Taylor | 18-8 | Mark Dudbridge | £100,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2005 | Colin Lloyd | 18-12 | John Part | £120,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2006 | Phil Taylor | 18-11 | James Wade | £150,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2007 | James Wade | 18-7 | Terry Jenkins | £200,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2008 | Phil Taylor | 18-9 | James Wade | £300,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2009 | Phil Taylor | 18-4 | Terry Jenkins | £400,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2010 | Phil Taylor | 18-12 | Raymond van Barneveld | £400,000 | Stan James | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2011 | Phil Taylor | 18-8 | James Wade | £400,000 | Sky Bet | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2012 | Phil Taylor | 18-15 | James Wade | £400,000 | Betfair | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2013 | Phil Taylor | 18-13 | Adrian Lewis | £400,000 | BetVictor | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2014 | Phil Taylor | 18-9 | Michael van Gerwen | £450,000 | BetVictor | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2015 | Michael van Gerwen | 18-12 | James Wade | £450,000 | BetVictor | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2016 | Michael van Gerwen | 18-10 | Phil Taylor | £450,000 | BetVictor | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2017 | Phil Taylor | 18-8 | Peter Wright | £500,000 | BetVictor | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2018 | Gary Anderson | 21-19 | Mensur Suljovic | £500,000 | BetVictor | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2019 | Rob Cross | 18-13 | Michael Smith | £700,000 | Betfred | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2020 | Dimitri Van den Bergh | 18-10 | Gary Anderson | £700,000 | Betfred | Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes |
| 2021 | Peter Wright | 18-9 | Dimitri Van den Bergh | £700,000 | Betfred | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2022 | Michael van Gerwen | 18-14 | Gerwyn Price | £800,000 | Betfred | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2023 | Nathan Aspinall | 18-6 | Jonny Clayton | £800,000 | Betfred | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2024 | Luke Humphries | 18-15 | Michael van Gerwen | £800,000 | Betfred | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2025 | Luke Littler | 18-13 | James Wade | £800,000 | Betfred | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| 2026 | Luke Littler | 18-9 | Gerwyn Price | £1,000,000 | Betfred | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
What is the World Matchplay Darts Tournament?
The World Matchplay Darts Tournament is one of the most prestigious and long-standing professional darts tournaments in the world. It is organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and has been held annually since 1994.
The tournament features the top professional darts players from around the world competing in a knockout format. It is held in July at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England, which has been the traditional venue for the event.
History and Evolution of the World Matchplay Darts: From 1994 to 2023
1994-1999: Early Years
The World Matchplay Darts Tournament was first held in 1994, with Larry Butler emerging as the inaugural champion. From 1995 to 1999, the legendary Phil Taylor and Rod Harrington established their dominance in the competition, winning the tournament twice each before the turn of the century.
2000-2013: Taylor’s Continued Reign and Emergence of New Champions
The early 2000s saw Phil Taylor’s reign continue as he clinched the World Matchplay title an astonishing twelve more times, solidifying his status as the tournament’s most successful player. However, there were notable challengers who managed to break Taylor’s dominance, including Colin Lloyd and James Wade.
2014-2020: Taylor’s Farewell and New Titleholders
In 2017, Phil Taylor secured his 16th and final World Matchplay title before retiring from professional darts. The tournament then witnessed a changing of the guard, with new champions stepping into the limelight. Players like Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Rob Cross emerged as the faces of the sport, claiming victory at the World Matchplay and showcasing their precision with the arrows.
2021-Present: New Champions and the Tournament’s Resilience
The World Matchplay Darts Tournament continued to thrive and it is now one of the biggest darts tournaments on the calendar. Luke Littler retained the crown in 2026, having claimed his first Matchplay title in 2025 and he will be hoping to continue his dominance into next year.
World Matchplay Darts Winners through the Years
Throughout the tournament’s history, certain players have left an indelible mark on the World Matchplay. Phil Taylor, often regarded as one of the greatest darts players of all time, stands out as the most successful competitor in the tournament’s history.
With an astonishing 16 titles to his name, Taylor’s unparalleled achievements have set the bar high for future generations.
