The 2025 Betfred World Matchplay gets underway at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday, as 32 of the biggest names in world darts compete for the iconic Phil Taylor Trophy.
As we look ahead to the showpiece event of the darting summer, don't forget to immerse yourself in this year's tournament by picking your six-player PDC Fantasy Darts team!
Points will be scored based on your players' performances, and you can take on your friends in private leagues to determine who is the ultimate Fantasy Darts king!
Each player’s squad will be comprised of the following:
2x Favourites
1x Contenders
1x Ones to Watch
1x Dark Horses
1x Long Shots
You will have three transfers available throughout the tournament - two following the first round, and one final transfer ahead of the quarter-finals. You can view the rules and the scoring system here.
Sky Sports commentators Dan Dawson and Mark Webster have chosen their six-player line-ups, so if you're struggling for some inspiration, check out our expert's picks and reasons for their selections below...
Dan Dawson
Favourite - Gerwyn Price
I’m picking Gerwyn Price because he’s won more titles than anybody else in 2025.
He’s got a totally different attitude this year, he’s playing brilliantly and he’s doing those things which won him all those major titles like the World Championship.
When he’s getting one dart at tops, that is all he’s needing. He’s also just won two titles in the space of a week, so he’s a player bang in form.
Favourite - Luke Littler
I do think Ryan Searle is a dangerous opponent for Luke Littler. However, if he can get past Ryan, I think he could go on a bit of a run in this tournament.
He finished top of the Premier League table, and although he’s only won two titles this year, when he’s on it, he is brilliant, and long format darts is obviously going to play into his hands.
Ryan can be quite hit and miss, but if he’s on his game, I think we could have a game for the ages, and Littler is going to have to be very, very good to beat him.
Contender - Gary Anderson
I have come a cropper backing Gary Anderson at the World Matchplay in the past, because he’s run into massive performances.
He’s just changed to some longer points which look like they’re suiting him. He’s scoring brilliantly and he finished unbelievably on the European Tour last weekend.
I just think that it might be Gary Anderson’s second World Matchplay title. I don’t just think he’s going to do well, I think he might win the whole thing.
One to Watch - Ross Smith
There are lots of options here. I think Ross Smith has arguably got the most exciting first round tie, because he and Josh Rock could be absolutely brilliant.
I think they’re going to throw millions of 180s at each other, they could be averaging over a ton and hitting plenty of 99+ checkouts, so I think you’re going to pick up points, even if you went out in round one.
Ross had a run to the quarter-finals at the World Matchplay last year. He’s an amazing player. He’s a former European Champion and I think he will win more major titles. He might even find himself in the back end of this tournament.
Dark Horse - Dirk van Duijvenbode
I always pick Dirk van Duijvenbode, because Dirk van Duijvenbode makes things happen!
I still don’t think he’s quite playing at the very best level we saw from him before his injury problems, but he’s very, very close.
He does things that other players can’t do. Enormous numbers of 180s, massive averages, and he’s even hit a couple of nine-darters this year, so he’s going to pick up points for you.
I do think he could find his way through to the quarter-finals and then he might face Luke Littler. I would love to see that, because it would be very entertaining.
Long Shot - Ryan Joyce
It might seem weird picking the man who snatched the last qualifying spot and looked to be in danger of missing out on the World Matchplay entirely, but his TV form at the back end of last year was brilliant.
He is renowned as a brilliant finisher, and with two points for every 99+ checkout, he could pick up a fair few of those.
He reached a European Tour final earlier this year, and I think something has clicked. His scoring power has improved but his finishing is genuinely unbelievable and if he’s on it, Ryan Joyce can pose a problem for anyone.
Mark Webster
Favourite - Luke Humphries
I've gone for Luke Humphries, because he's the world number one and he just finds a way. He did it in the Premier League, even when he wasn't at his best.
Obviously his first round tie against Gian van Veen could be a challenge, but I think he'll be okay, and I think his draw from there on in is pretty steady.
I always fancy Humphries, particularly at the World Matchplay over a longer format.
Favourite - Gerwyn Price
I think a lot of people will be going for Gerwyn Price, because he's in great form at the minute.
He's in a good place in terms of his health, his fitness and he seems really focused.
He beat Daryl Gurney in the first round last year, so he's got experience of beating him on the big stage, and I believe he'll have a good run.
Contender - Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson is just quietly going about his business in 2025.
He got to another final on the European Tour last weekend, and he keeps climbing up the rankings.
I think Luke Woodhouse in the opening round is a decent draw for him as well. Gary didn't have a great World Matchplay last year, but he's doing all the right things at the minute, and I think we could see him featuring in major finals this year.
One to Watch - Wessel Nijman
Wessel Nijman is a real power-scorer, he's improving and he's on debut, so he will be excited to be playing in the event.
We all know how good he is. We all saw what he produced at the Grand Slam of Darts last year, and I think that big run on TV is just around the corner.
Dark Horse - Dirk van Duijvenbode
It's good to see Dirk van Duijvenbode back in the fold and back playing, as he didn't qualify last year.
He's up against Rob Cross, whose form is a bit stop-start at the moment. Dirk is not the Dirk of two or three years ago, but he's getting there.
The fact he's qualified shows that he's producing some good stuff, so that will help his cause.
Long Shot - Ryan Joyce
I've gone for Ryan Joyce as the Long Shot, because he's just not fazed by anyone, is he?
He played Luke Littler at the World Championship and pushed him all the way. He doesn't care for reputation.
He played Stephen Bunting at last year's World Matchplay, and had he been a bit more clinical, he could have got through that game, so Stephen will be well aware of the threat he poses.