World Matchplay will take place behind closed doors in Milton Keynes instead of Blackpool's Winter Gardens

By Chris Hammer

17:21 · SAT July 04, 2020

This summer's Betfred World Matchplay will not take place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for the first time in the competition's illustrious history and will instead be played behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

Follow @ChrisHammer180 on Twitter
World Matchplay draw and schedule

The tournament, which is the PDC's second longest running major behind the World Championship having first been staged back in 1994, will run from July 18-26 at the same venue which is hosting the five Summer Series events next week.

There had been slim hopes that a small crowd might be possible at its iconic home but after extensive talks between the PDC, the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, Sky Sports, the Winter Gardens and other stakeholders, it has been decided that the safest solution during the pandemic is a switch to the Marshall Arena.

To cheer everyone up from the inevitable news about the World Matchplay not being at the Winter Gardens with a crowd, here's that Blackpool atmosphere for a Gary Anderson nine-darter. Unmatchable. pic.twitter.com/zIjM9XVPAG
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 1, 2020

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said: "This is an unprecedented step for us to take and this tough decision has been made only after exhausting all possible options in a bid to stage the Betfred World Matchplay with a limited crowd in Blackpool.

"We thank the DCMS for their co-operation throughout the process and also the Winter Gardens and Blackpool Council, who remained committed to hosting the event throughout the process.

"Whilst this will be disappointing for the thousands of fans who had planned to watch the 2020 Betfred World Matchplay live in Blackpool, we will be offering those fans the chance to defer their tickets to 2021, when the tournament will return to its spiritual home.”

Those who already have tickets bookings for the 2020 World Matchplay will have them transferred to the equivalent session of the 2021 event, which is planned to be held from July 17-25. Alternatively, fans can request a refund of their ticket base price from their point of purchase.

The 2020 World Matchplay will be the first fully televised PDC tournament to take place following the suspension of events due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic and features the world's top 16 players on the main Order of Merit as well as the leading 16 on the Pro Tour Order of Merit following the end of next week's PDC Summer Series of five one-day Players Championship tournaments.

World Matchplay Odds

Michael van Gerwen is the 7/4 favourite to win his third World Matchplay - and first since 2016 - while world champion Peter Wright is next in the running at 4/1 ahead of Gerwyn Price (6/1).

Nathan Aspinall won the recent PDC Home Tour so he'll have plenty of backers at 8/1, as will the 2018 champion Gary Anderson, who finished runner-up in the lockdown tournament.

The defending champion Rob Cross is way out at 20/1 but the behind closed door format may suit notoriously strong floor players such as 40/1 shots Ian White and Krzysztof Ratajski.

Click here for a full list of Sky Bet's odds

This gives you the gist (and it's only just one of those) of what a walk-on at the Winter Gardens is like. Minus an enthusiastic crowd and entrance music. pic.twitter.com/aSKiFDzyyG
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2019

🎯 One of 'the' great sporting venues pic.twitter.com/7o2kHDVBff
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2019

Past Finals

Final scores in legs

1994 - Larry Butler 16-12 Dennis Priestley
1995 - Phil Taylor 16-11 Dennis Priestley
1996 - Peter Evison 16-14 Dennis Priestley
1997 - Phil Taylor 16-11 Alan Warriner
1998 - Rod Harrington 19-17 Ronnie Baxter
1999 - Rod Harrington 19-17 Peter Manley
2000 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Alan Warriner
2001 - Phil Taylor 18-10 Richie Burnett
2002 - Phil Taylor 18-16 John Part
2003 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Wayne Mardle
2004 - Phil Taylor 18-8 Mark Dudbridge
2005 - Colin Lloyd 18-12 John Part
2006 - Phil Taylor 18-9 James Wade
2007 - James Wade 18-7 Terry Jenkins
2008 - Phil Taylor 18-11 James Wade
2009 - Phil Taylor 18-4 Terry Jenkins
2010 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Raymond van Barneveld
2011 - Phil Taylor 18-8 James Wade
2012 - Phil Taylor 18-15 James Wade
2013 - Phil Taylor 18-13 Adrian Lewis
2014 - Phil Taylor 18-9 Michael van Gerwen
2015 - Michael van Gerwen 18-12 James Wade
2016 - Michael van Gerwen 18-10 Phil Taylor
2017 - Phil Taylor 18-8 Peter Wright
2018 - Gary Anderson 21-19 Mensur Suljovic
2018 - Rob Cross 18-13 Michael Smith

World Matchplay Most Titles

Phil Taylor - 16
Michael van Gerwen - 2
Rod Harrington - 2
Rob Cross - 1
Gary Anderson - 1
Larry Butler - 1
Peter Evison - 1
Colin Lloyd - 1
James Wade - 1

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?