Big Names. Brutal Sets. No Easy Route.

The Winmau World Masters is back in 2026, and once again it’s one of the biggest proving grounds in darts. The sport’s top seeds, proven major winners and eight hungry qualifiers all collide in a tournament where nothing is given and everything is earned.

With a £500,000 prize fund on the line, a brutal set-play format, and a draw stacked from top to bottom, the World Masters is the kind of event that demands more than scoring power. It’s about nerve, timing, and delivering when it matters most.

Last year showed exactly what this tournament is all about. Dimitri Van den Bergh produced pure magic with a nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen, a moment of perfection under maximum pressure. Then came a final that pushed both players to the edge.

Luke Humphries and Jonny Clayton went toe-to-toe in a deciding set battle that summed up darts at its toughest. Humphries held his nerve to win 6–5, writing his name into Masters history with a performance built on composure and grit.

Now, as 2026 begins, the defending champion returns with the spotlight firmly on him. But this field is loaded with challengers, experience, and ambition. At the World Masters, reputation doesn’t protect you - every set is a fight.

The Draw: Big Names, Early Fireworks

The 2026 bracket wastes no time. Massive matchups land right from the opening round, and there are no easy routes through.

Top seed Luke Littler takes on Mike De Decker, while Ryan Searle v Rob Cross is one of the standout first-round clashes. Josh Rock starts against a qualifier, with a chance to build early momentum.

Defending champion Luke Humphries opens against Dave Chisnall, setting the tone for a bottom half packed with danger - Stephen Bunting, Danny Noppert, Gary Anderson and James Wade all waiting in a section shaped by consistency and hard-earned pedigree.

And the unseeded depth says everything about the modern game. Players like Cross, Chisnall, Daryl Gurney and Ryan Joyce sit outside the seeds, alongside eight qualifiers ready to tear up the script.

Across the board, this is a draw where every match feels like a statement.

(1) Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
(16) Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
(8) Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
(9) Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
(4) Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
(13) Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena
(5) Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
(12) Gerwyn Price v James Hurrell
(2) Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
(15) Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
(7) Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf
(10) Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney
(3) Gian van Veen v Ryan Joyce
(14) Nathan Aspinall v Shane McGuirk
(6) Gary Anderson v Niels Zonneveld
(11) James Wade v Madars Razma

Format: 

The World Masters stays true to its roots - sets decide everything, and momentum can swing in an instant.

• First Round: Best of 5 sets

• Second Round & Quarter-Finals: Best of 7 sets

• Semi-Finals: Best of 9 sets

• Final: Best of 11 sets

Every set is best of three legs, no tie-breaks, no safety net. It’s about hitting the right shots at the right time.

Schedule of Play

Thursday January 29 (1900 GMT)
First Round x8

Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson v Niels Zonneveld
James Wade v Madars Razma
Nathan Aspinall v Shane McGuirk
Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price v James Hurrell
Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
Gian van Veen v Ryan Joyce

Friday January 30 (1900 GMT)
First Round x8 – Match Order TBC

Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf

Saturday January 31
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT): 4x Second Round
Evening Session (1900 GMT): 4x Second Round

Sunday February 1
Afternoon Session (1300): Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (1900): Semi-Finals & Final

Prize Fund

A £500,000 prize pool with £100,000 to the winner ensures every round matters and every win counts.

A True Test of Champions

The Winmau World Masters remains one of the sport’s toughest examinations. Over days of set-play battles, only the sharpest and strongest survive.

In 2026, the challenge is the same: one champion, one trophy, no shortcuts.

Blade X Takes the Stage

This year also brings something brand new under the lights. The Winmau World Masters 2026 will be the first televised major to feature the all-new Winmau Blade X dartboard.

Built for the modern game, Blade X is packed with next-level performance upgrades including the world’s finest Kenyan sisal, now with a 13% deeper sisal bed for stronger dart hold, better fibre recovery and longer life. The rotating number ring system allows full 360° rotation without removal, keeping the board fresh and match-ready throughout its lifespan.

With further refinement of the Blade wire system to cut bounce-outs and sharpen scoring definition, Blade X is built for relentless elite play and backed by a five-year warranty. A board made for the biggest stages, and built to last long after the first dart lands.

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