THE schedule of play for the 2014 BetVictor World Matchplay has been confirmed, with world number one Michael van Gerwen and 2007 champion James Wade both in action on the opening night at the Winter Gardens on Saturday July 19.
The 21st World Matchplay will be held at the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool from July 19-27, screened live on Sky Sports.
A bumper opening session on Saturday July 19 will kick off when two-time finalist Terry Jenkins takes on Stoke ace Ian White, before world number four Simon Whitlock meets Kevin Painter.
World Champion Michael van Gerwen then faces Steve Beaton, before 2007 World Matchplay champion James Wade - also a four-time runner-up in Blackpool - takes on Andy Smith.
The first round continues on Sunday afternoon, with Premier League Darts stars Dave Chisnall and Robert Thornton taking on Dean Winstanley and Paul Nicholson respectively, Brendan Dolan facing former Blackpool finalist Richie Burnett and Andy Hamilton meeting Wayne Jones.
Justin Pipe's clash with former World Youth Champion Michael Smith opens up Sunday's evening session, with the Fylde Coast derby of Fleetwood's Wes Newton against Blackpool's Ronnie Baxter - the 1998 finalist - then taking to the stage.
Reigning World Matchplay champion Phil Taylor - who won a sixth successive title and 14th in total last summer - then begins his bid to retain the trophy against Darren Webster, before the all-Dutch battle between Raymond van Barneveld and Vincent van der Voort.
Monday evening sees the first round conclude with the remaining four games, with last year's beaten finalist, world number three Adrian Lewis, taking on debutand Andrew Gilding.
Stephen Bunting, the Lakeside Champion who has made a big impression inside six months on the PDC circuit, also makes his World Matchplay debut on Monday as he takes on Peter Wright, with Mervyn King facing Kim Huybrechts and Gary Anderson playing Jamie Caven.
The second round will kick off on Tuesday night with the games involving the players from the top half of the draw, potentially featuring van Gerwen, Premier League champion van Barneveld, Wade and Whitlock.
Wednesday sees the remaining four second round games including the players from the bottom half of the draw, and could see Taylor, UK Open champion Lewis and World Championship finalist Wright in action.
The quarter-finals are then split across Thursday and Friday evenings, with the semi-finals on Saturday night and the final on Sunday as the winner of the prestigious title is decided.
Tickets for the BetVictor World Matchplay are still available and can be purchased through www.blackpoollive.com or by calling 0844 856 1111.
2014 BetVictor World Matchplay
Saturday July 19
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
First Round
Ian White v Terry Jenkins
Simon Whitlock v Kevin Painter
Michael van Gerwen v Steve Beaton
James Wade v Andy Smith
Sunday July 20
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
First Round
Dave Chisnall v Dean Winstanley
Brendan Dolan v Richie Burnett
Robert Thornton v Paul Nicholson
Andy Hamilton v Wayne Jones
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
First Round
Justin Pipe v Michael Smith
Wes Newton v Ronnie Baxter
Phil Taylor v Darren Webster
Raymond van Barneveld v Vincent van der Voort
Monday July 21
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
First Round
Peter Wright v Stephen Bunting
Mervyn King v Kim Huybrechts
Adrian Lewis v Andrew Gilding
Gary Anderson v Jamie Caven
Tuesday July 22
Evening Session (7pm-12am)
Second Round
Hamilton/Jones v Chisnall/Winstanley
Wade/A Smith v Dolan/Burnett
van Gerwen/Beaton v White/Jenkins
Whitlock/Painter v van Barneveld/van der Voort
Wednesday July 23
Evening Session (7pm-12am)
Second Round
Thornton/Nicholson v Newton/Baxter
Wright/Bunting v Anderson/Caven
Taylor/Webster v Pipe/M Smith
Lewis/Gilding v King/Huybrechts
Thursday July 24
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Quarter-Finals x2
Friday July 25
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Quarter-Finals x2
Saturday July 26
Evening Session (7pm-10pm)
Semi-Finals
Sunday July 27
Evening Session (7pm-9pm)
Final
Format
First Round - Best of 19 legs
Second Round - Best of 25 legs
Quarter-Finals - Best of 31 legs
Semi-Finals - Best of 33 legs
Final - Best of 35 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth "extra" leg is sudden-death. There will be no re-throw for the bull in this instance.
For example, should a First Round game (best of 19 legs) reach 12-12, then the 25th leg would be the final and deciding leg.