The World Matchplay Darts tournament, sometimes known as the Betfred World Matchplay, is always enthralling. Since the tournament was created in 1994 by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), hosted in the iconic Winter Gardens, Blackpool, it’s always been a highlight of the sporting calendar.
We’re dedicating this blog to some of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history – thirty years of incredible matches as the best players in the world compete for the coveted World Matchplay Darts title.
Butler wins first ever World Matchplay title - 1994
Back in 1994, darts was not the spectacle that it is today. The popularity of the sport was dwindling and there just wasn’t the same buzz around the sport. The World Matchplay was created to try and give it a bit of a boost. To highlight how far it’s come, the prize fund for the winner back then was £10,000. In 2023 it was £200,000!
The winner of the £10,000 was American Larry Butler, who overcame Dennis Priestley in the final 16-12. He was the first American to ever win a PDC televised title, and he remains the only one to this day. Priestley, meanwhile, would go on to reach the first three PDC World Matchplay finals, but lost every one!
Anderson's epic win - 2018
There have been many closely fought finals in the history of the Betfred World Matchplay, but none closer (or at least, longer) than the 2018 final between Gary Anderson and Mensur Suljović of Austria.
Having already scooped £45,000 for a nine dart finish in his quarter final against Joe Cullen (and surviving two missed match darts), Anderson was in great form. But Suljović was a fierce competitor and held a 9-7 lead after 16 legs. He couldn’t capitalise, though, and four missed doubles in consecutive legs allowed Anderson into the game, and into a seemingly insurmountable 17-13 lead. Suljović fought back, winning the next five legs to lead 18-17! Anderson then took it to 19-18, only to see a match dart bounce out, allowing the Austrian to bring it back to 19-19. Anderson took the final two legs though, to win an epic encounter 21-19.
First ever televised nine dart finish - 2002
A nine dart finish is a special achievement in the sport of darts – it doesn’t happen very often, so it’s always memorable when it does. So how about the first time a nine dart finish was ever televised?!
Phil Taylor had a special relationship with this tournament – he won it so often they named it the Phil Taylor Trophy! In 2002 he achieved another monumental feat in, not just the tournament’s history, but in the history of darts. In the quarter finals, while playing Chris Mason, Taylor became the first person ever to make a nine dart finish broadcast live on UK TV. The place erupted – what a moment!
Michael van Gerwen vs Adrian Lewis - 2013
It’s easy to focus on the finals when you compile a list like this – they tend to be the most memorable matches. However, in the 2013 World Matchplay tournament, it was the semi finals that stole the show.
Back then, Michael van Gerwen was on his way up – he was a fresh-faced 24-year-old and hadn’t won a World Championship title. Adrian Lewis, his semi final opponent, had two World Championships to his name by that point, and was at the peak of his powers. When they met, it was a ding-dong battle that lit up Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Lewis started better, leading 8-2, but then Michael van Gerwen brought it back to 12-12. From there, a tense finale saw it go 15-15 before Lewis held his nerve to take the match 17-15 to set up a final against Phil Taylor.
A champion bows out on top - 2017
By 2017 Phil Taylor wasn’t the Power that he once was. At that point Michael van Gerwen was the world number one, and Taylor looked to be ready for retirement. He had one more in him though…
After making light work of van Gerwen in the quarter finals, Taylor rolled back the years to sweep aside Adrian Lewis in the semi finals, and then blew away Peter Wright in the final with a comfortable 18-8 victory. It was his last ever major title, and the trophy was renamed the Phil Taylor Trophy for the 2018 competition.
How to get World Matchplay Darts tickets
If you want to secure your seat at Winter Gardens in 2024 take a look at our official PDC ticket and hotel or travel packages! Call us now on 0333 2309115 or contact us for more information.
