Betfred World Matchplay 2025: Littler favourite following Blackpool draw

It's one of the most exciting times of the year in the darting calendar, as the Betfred World Matchplay rolls into Blackpool.

Ahead of the event that starts on July 19, we have news of the all-important draw, latest odds and market movers following today's Betfred World Matchplay Draw. 

You can check out all the latest Betfred World Matchplay odds over at Betfred.com

The Betfred World Matchplay draw took place today and there are some mouth-watering first-round ties to look forward to. Right at the top of the draw is a potential banana skin for reigning World Matchplay champion Luke Humphries, as he faces the talented youngster from the Netherlands, Gian van Veen. They most recently played at Players Championship 6, where the Giant beat Cool Hand 8-3.

Elsewhere the phenom that is Luke Littler takes on Ryan Searle, in a tie that he should be expected to progress from. There's also a Dutch blockbuster as Michael van Gerwen takes on his predecessor in Raymond van Barneveld. Perhaps the tie of the round however, happens on Monday, as number 14 seed Ross Smith faces the bang in-form Josh Rock.

The second-round draw was also completed, which gives us a glimpse into some potential second round titanic match-ups including Littler vs Wright, Bunting vs Anderson and Dobey vs Price.

The Nuke is the confirmed favourite at 7/4, just over a week out from the start of this massive event.

“It looks a cracking draw especially the battle of the Dutch World Champions Michael Van Gerwen versus Raymond van Barneveld. As for the outright winner all the cash so far is for Luke Littler on only his second appearance at the iconic Winter Gardens.”

Betfred spokesperson Mark Pearson

You can see the full draw below...

Betfred World Matchplay Draw:

Draw Bracket

(1) Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen

(16) Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies

(8) Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman

(9) James Wade v Joe Cullen

(4) Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce

(13) Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse

(5) Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler

(12) Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker

(2) Luke Littler v Ryan Searle

(15) Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena

(7) Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding

(10) Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode

(3) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld

(14) Ross Smith v Josh Rock

(6) Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko

(11) Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney

Schedule:

Saturday July 19 (1900-2300)

First Round x4

James Wade v Joe Cullen

Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies

Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen

Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman

Sunday July 20

Afternoon Session (1300-1700)

First Round x4

Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding

Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode

Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena

Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker

Evening Session (1900-2300)

First Round x4

Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse

Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler

Luke Littler v Ryan Searle

Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce

Monday July 21 (1900-2300)

First Round x4

Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko

Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney

Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld

Ross Smith v Josh Rock

Tuesday July 22 (1900-0000)

Second Round x4 - Match Order TBC

Humphries/Van Veen v Noppert/Menzies

Aspinall/Nijman v Wade/Cullen

Bunting/Joyce v Anderson/Woodhouse

Clayton/Schindler v Chisnall/De Decker

Wednesday July 23 (1900-0000)

Second Round x4 - Match Order TBC

Littler/Searle v Wright/Wattimena

Heta/Gilding v Cross/Van Duijvenbode

Van Gerwen/Van Barneveld v Smith/Rock

Dobey/Pietreczko v Price/Gurney

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