Luke Littler is set to face Mike De Decker in the first round of the upcoming Winmau World Masters. This event marks Littler’s return, having established himself as a prominent figure in darts by winning the World Championship consecutively. He is also fresh off a victory at the Saudi Darts Masters, making him a strong contender for the title.
Defending champion Luke Humphries will open his campaign against seasoned player Dave Chisnall, a two-time World Masters runner-up. Both players will aim to secure their place in the later rounds of the tournament.
2026 Winmau World Masters Overview
The Winmau World Masters will be held at Arena MK from Thursday to Sunday. The tournament features 32 players, with 24 automatically qualifying based on their world rankings. Eight additional players secured spots through preliminary rounds on Wednesday.
Key Matchups in Round One
- Luke Littler (1) vs. Mike De Decker (19)
- Luke Humphries (2) vs. Dave Chisnall (22)
- Michael van Gerwen (4) vs. Damon Heta (17)
- Jonny Clayton (5) vs. Wessel Nijman
- Gary Anderson (6) vs. Niels Zonneveld
- James Wade (11) vs. Madars Razma
- Gian van Veen (3) vs. Ryan Joyce (24)
Round One Schedule
The tournament begins with preliminary rounds starting January 28 at 12 PM, followed by the first round commencing on January 29:
- January 29, 7 PM: Chris Dobey vs. Jermaine Wattimena
- January 29, 7 PM: Gary Anderson vs. Niels Zonneveld
- January 29, 7 PM: James Wade vs. Madars Razma
- January 29, 7 PM: Nathan Aspinall vs. Shane McGuirk
- January 29, 7 PM: Jonny Clayton vs. Wessel Nijman
- January 29, 7 PM: Gerwyn Price vs. James Hurrell
- January 29, 7 PM: Michael van Gerwen vs. Damon Heta
- January 29, 7 PM: Gian van Veen vs. Ryan Joyce
- January 30, 7 PM: Various matches including Littler vs. De Decker and Humphries vs. Chisnall
Tournament Format
Matches in the Winmau World Masters will follow a sets format, ensuring a traditional structure:
| Round | Sets Format | Legs per Set |
|---|---|---|
| Round One | Best of 5 | 3 |
| Round Two | Best of 7 | 3 |
| Quarter-finals | Best of 7 | 3 |
| Semi-finals | Best of 9 | 3 |
| Final | Best of 11 | 3 |
Prize Money Breakdown
Competitors will vie for significant prize money:
- Winner: £100,000
- Runner-up: £50,000
- Semi-finalists: £30,000
- Quarter-finalists: £17,500
- Round Two losers: £10,000
- Round One losers: £5,000
- Preliminary Round L16: £2,500
- Preliminary Round L32: £1,000
- Preliminary Round L64: £750
As anticipation builds, the 2026 Winmau World Masters promises to deliver thrilling matches and outstanding performances from top dart players. Fans can expect a highly competitive and entertaining series of games.
