World Matchplay Darts scoring and format: How many legs do they play at Winter Gardens?

SportDarts WORLD Matchplay Darts is BACK at Winter Gardens in Blackpool – and Luke Littler returns to defend his title. The Nuke beat James Wade 18-13 in a thrilling final, in which Littler found himself 5-0 down at the first break. Luke Littler is looking to retain the World Matchplay title Credit: Getty Luke Humphries won the title in 2025 and is looking to win it back Credit: Getty It was the sixth time in World Matchplay history that James Wade has finished as runner-up, but he will have his eyes on the big prize this time around. Also standing between Littler and the £225,000 prize are Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Cool Hand will be looking to win back the title he toppled Van Gerwen for in 2025. SunSport can reveal the scoring and format for World Matchplay Darts in 2026. World Matchplay Darts scoring and format There will be 32 players at World Matchplay Darts, the top 16 from the PDC Order of Merit and 16 qualifiers from the PDC Pro Tour. There are no sets, and all games are decided in leg format – the same as how it is done in Premier League Darts. Games must be won by two clear legs, but if players cannot be separated by an addition six legs, there is a sudden death leg. This is how many legs are required to win in each round of the tournament: Most read in Sport First round: Best of 19 legs (sudden death at 12-12) Second round: Best of 21 legs (sudden death at 13-13) Quarter-finals: Best of 31 legs (sudden death at 18-18) Semi-finals: Best of 33 legs (sudden death at 19-19) Final: Best of 35 legs (sudden death at 20-20) Comment now