2026 World Matchplay Darts: Outright preview and expert betting tips

Darts bursts back onto the agenda over the next eight days as Blackpool's Winter Gardens hosts one of the sport's most prestigious events – the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay.

An elite field of 32 players will be battling it out for glory at the iconic venue, looking to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy on Sunday July 25th.

As always, our darting duo here at Odds Now have been called into action. Adam 'Smido' Smith hops over from his usual post at Races Now to take the hosting chair for his long-term sidekick Matt Hill – our arrows expert – to take centre stage with his full tournament betting guide.

Matt runs us through the outright odds for this year's event, with Luke Littler just a shade of odds-against to retain his title. Can anybody stop the Nuke? Luke Humphries is the clear and obvious second favourite at 5/1 but could a first-time winner be in store? Some punters seem to think so, with the rapidly improving Wessel Nijman now third in the betting for a maiden major crown.

As well as giving his thoughts on the potential winner, Matt broke things down quarter by quarter in a comprehensive preview video, which you can check out above!

Stay tuned to Odds Now as Matt will be offering up his daily World Matchplay betting tips exclusively on our website and the Odds Now YouTube channel, in the form of daily videos. Be sure to hit that subscribe button over on YouTube so you don't miss a pick!