Can anyone stop Luke Humphries and Luke Littler?
The Betfred World Matchplay has always occupied a special place on the darts calendar. Played at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens, it's the second biggest ranking title of the year for many players, and one that has produced some of the sport's most memorable moments.
This year's field looks as competitive as ever. The established stars remain at the top of the market, but recent Players Championship events and European Tour tournaments have shown that the chasing pack are more than capable of producing major upsets.
Using my recent database and player form, here's how I see the tournament unfolding.
The Men to Beat
Luke Humphries
If there is one player arriving in Blackpool with the strongest momentum, it is Luke Humphries.
His recent victory at the US Darts Masters, combined with an outstanding Players Championship title where he averaged over 104, demonstrates exactly why he sits at the top of my rankings. Winning eight of his last ten matches, Cool Hand Luke looks every bit the player to beat.
His opening match against Cameron Menzies is anything but straightforward, but if Humphries negotiates that hurdle he could be difficult to stop.
Luke Littler
There is almost nothing left to say about Luke Littler that hasn't already been said.
Nine victories from his last ten matches, another televised title and a remarkable scoring power continue to make him one of the most feared players in the sport.
The draw hasn't been especially kind however. Niko Springer is one of the most dangerous floaters in the field and represents a genuine opening-round test before Littler's route potentially becomes even tougher.
If Littler settles quickly, he remains one of the favourites for the Phil Taylor Trophy.
Players Arriving in Form
Recent months have seen several players quietly build excellent runs of form.
Cameron Menzies arrives after winning a Players Championship title and boasts a 9-1 record over his last ten matches. His reward is arguably the toughest draw possible against Luke Humphries.
Luke Woodhouse has enjoyed perhaps the best spell of his career, winning the Baltic Sea Open before reaching another Players Championship final.
Wessel Nijman continues to develop into one of the most dangerous young talents on tour, while Chris Dobey has consistently reached the latter stages of floor events.
Ross Smith, Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen have all lifted ranking titles during the season and know exactly what it takes to win tournaments of this calibre.
First Round Matches to Watch
Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies
Possibly the toughest first-round tie in the draw.
Humphries is the deserved favourite, but Menzies has been outstanding over recent weeks and could easily make life uncomfortable.
Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding
Experience against experience.
Neither player has quite reached their absolute best consistently this year, but both remain capable of producing spectacular darts when the television cameras arrive.
Gian van Veen v Krzysztof Ratajski
One of the most intriguing contests.
Van Veen continues to improve every month, while Ratajski's consistency always makes him difficult to beat.
Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler
Price possesses the higher ceiling, but Schindler is exactly the type of dangerous opponent capable of punishing any slow start.
Six To Follow
⭐ Luke Humphries
The current benchmark. Recent victories and outstanding averages make him the player everyone wants to avoid.
⭐ Luke Littler
Simply impossible to ignore. Another major title would surprise nobody.
⭐ Wessel Nijman
His development continues at an incredible pace and he looks increasingly comfortable on the biggest stages.
⭐ Luke Woodhouse
Excellent recent form could finally translate into a deep televised run.
⭐ Chris Dobey
Scoring power has never been in doubt. If his finishing clicks, he becomes extremely dangerous.
⭐ Cameron Menzies
Perhaps the form player outside the favourites. If he upsets Humphries, his confidence could carry him a long way.
Dark Horses
Gian van Veen
Already proving he belongs amongst the elite.
Kevin Doets
Quietly producing excellent floor performances and capable of upsetting seeded opponents.
Ryan Searle
Heavy Metal possesses the scoring to beat anybody over longer formats.
Predictions?
The obvious names dominate the conversation, but major championships are rarely straightforward.
Luke Humphries enters as my slight favourite after his recent performances, while Luke Littler remains the player with perhaps the highest ceiling in world darts.
Behind them, the likes of Dobey, Cross, Price, Aspinall and van Gerwen all possess the quality to lift the trophy if they can produce their best darts over the week.
Don't discount one or two surprise names either. Every year Blackpool creates new stories, and 2026 feels no different.
