The PDC darts circuit is unlike many other sports because it doesn’t have so-called majors. Still, it does have premier events, and the World Matchplay is right up there alongside some of the more prestigious tournaments, such as the UK Open and World Championships. So being victorious in the competition is very much the stuff of dreams for players.
Three things stand out where the World Matchplay are concerned. It’s a tournament where some of the most exciting finishes have occurred. It’s undoubtedly a crowd favourite. And the World Matchplay takes place at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens venue.
World Matchplay History
The World Matchplay was created in 1994, and for the most part, the tournament has taken place at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. In terms of the venue itself, it’s one of the longest-running on the circuit, and while at times there are calls for a change to accommodate larger crowds, Winter Gardens is a part of darts’ rich tapestry.
The World Matchplay has always been held during July, which comes towards the backend of the darts season. And, because of the prize money on offer, it’s a tournament that players will often target as one to win. The ranking points provided can also be crucial in helping players who do well to secure their tour card for the following campaign.
Matchplay Winners
| Year | Winner |
| 1994 | Larry Butler |
| 1995 | Phil Taylor |
| 1996 | Peter Evison |
| 1997 | Phil Taylor |
| 1998 | Rod Harrington |
| 1999 | Rod Harrington |
| 2000 | Phil Taylor |
| 2001 | Phil Taylor |
| 2002 | Phil Taylor |
| 2003 | Phil Taylor |
| 2004 | Phil Taylor |
| 2005 | Colin Lloyd |
| 2006 | Phil Taylor |
| 2007 | James Wade |
| 2008 | Phil Taylor |
| 2009 | Phil Taylor |
| 2010 | Phil Taylor |
| 2011 | Phil Taylor |
| 2012 | Phil Taylor |
| 2013 | Phil Taylor |
| 2014 | Phil Taylor |
| 2015 | Michael van Gerwen |
| 2016 | Michael van Gerwen |
| 2017 | Phil Taylor |
| 2018 | Gary Anderson |
| 2019 | Rob Cross |
| 2020 | Dimitri Van den Bergh |
| 2021 | Peter Wright |
| 2022 | Michael van Gerwen |
| 2023 | Nathan Aspinall |
World Matchplay 2023
The World Matchplay 2023 was held at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, between the 15th and 23rd of July. Nathan Aspinall ran out the deserved winner in the final against Jonny Clayton after winning a stunning eleven legs in a row from the score being tied at 5-5 after the first ten. While it may have surprised some to see Aspinall declared champion, it was a tournament that provided plenty of shocks along the way.
Defending champion and one of those tipped to win the competition, Michael van Gerwen, exited the tournament in the first round at the hands of Brendan Dolan, who won 10-7. World number one Michael Smith and former world champion Peter Wright also went out early, this time in the second round, as the pair lost to Chris Dobey and Ryan Searle, respectively. Gerwyn Price also failed to make the last sixteen.
It created a field of outsiders, all with a chance to win at the quarter-final stage, as none of the so-called favourites were left in the competition. Aspinall and Clayton won 16-12 to make it to the semis, defeating Dobey and Searle, respectively. Joe Cullen made the last four after winning 16-11 against Darryl Gurnery, while Luke Humphries won an exciting contest against Australia’s Damon Heta 16-13.
Aspinall made light work of Cullen in the first semi-final 17-9, with the latter struggling to find his rhythm and show the form he’d displayed earlier in the tournament. The other semi-final was closer, with Humphries leading the way before Clayton’s resolve proved too much, and he ran out the 17-15 winner.
The final was close after ten, with the score tied at 5-5, but Aspinall came into his own and romped to victory by winning eleven consecutive legs. The final score was 18-6 Aspinall. He was a deserved winner and undoubtedly the player of the tournament after being at the top of his game from round one until the very end of the final.
World Matchplay Prize Money
As the World Matchplay 2023 winner, Aspinall walked away with a cool £200,000, while runner-up Clayton took home £100,000. It was £300,000 out of the total prize pot of £800,000. Players who made the semis were guaranteed a prize of 50,000, while quarter-finalists scooped £30,000—making the last sixteen and thirty-two earned players £15,000 and £10,000, respectively.
Bet on World Matchplay Darts with BetVictor
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