A baker’s dozen of elite players have claimed the World Matchplay title since its inception in 1995. Each has a claim to have contributed to one of the most prestigious and cherished events on the modern darts calendar. Here are some of our favourite moments for each champion:
Remember Larry Butler? In 1994, he became the very first World Matchplay Champion, defeating Dennis Priestley in the final. To this day, he remains the only USA player to win a PDC major, picking up £10,000 for his efforts. This year's winner will collect £200,000!
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In 1996, Priestley must have thought he was jinxed at Blackpool. Adding to his runner-up medals against Butler (1994) and Phil Taylor (1995), 'The Menace' once again fell short in the final. This time suffering defeat at the hands of fellow Englishman, Peter Evison.
For the sartorially distinctive Rod Harrington, the World Matchplay remains the only PDC major tournament he has won, claiming the prize back to back in 1998 and 1999. Ironically, both with a 19-17 scoreline against Ronnie Baxter and Peter Manley respectively.
Taylor - with two already titles to his name - asserted his total dominance and bagged a ‘fiver-for’ and collected a quintet of consecutive titles from 2000-04 inc.
Colin Lloyd’s 170 to win the title in 2005 against John Part and Sid Waddell’s “Sixty, Sixty …BULL!” commentary.
It was also on that hallowed Winter Gardens stage, in 2007, that a young James Wade burst onto the scene, picking up the first of his many television titles. Aged just 24, Wade stunned perennial runner-up, Terry Jenkins in cruising to an 18-7 victory.
Clearly perturbed by losing his crown, Taylor then went on a blistering run of dominance. From 2008 to 2014, The Power didn’t lose a single match at the Winter Gardens, lifting the trophy on eight consecutive occasions.
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Taylor’s grip was finally loosened in 2015 when a certain Michael van Gerwen broke the spell, winning the first of his two World Matchplay crowns. With five defeats to his name, no one has lost more Blackpool finals than James Wade and he was the Dutchman’s victim on that occasion.
Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, Dimiti van den Bergh, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall have also seen their name etched onto the magnificent trophy in magical moments.
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Perhaps special reflection is due for Dimitri’s effort. For Van den Bergh, it was his very first appearance in the tournament and the 'Dream Maker' completed a fairytale debut by claiming victory in the midst of covid drama, away from Blackpool and in a manufactured TV environment. In case you think it a fluke, The Belgian reached another final in Blackpool in front of a packed house and has won the UK Open since as well.
Then last year, Luke Humphries became the thirteenth player to win the World Matchplay title.
With a full house expected and the biggest names in the Darts World all in attendance, who will be crowned the 2025 World Matchplay Champion will it be a repeat performance for one of the 13 or will a new marvel join the many?
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