2026 Winmau World Masters Draw Officially Announced
The 2026 Winmau World Masters Draw has been officially announced, setting the stage for an exciting tournament. Defending champion Luke Humphries will kick off his title defense against Dave Chisnall. Meanwhile, World Champion Luke Littler will face Mike De Decker in his opening match.
Tournament Details
The Winmau World Masters will be hosted at Arena MK in Milton Keynes. The tournament will commence with the Preliminary Rounds on January 28, 2026, followed by the main event from January 29 to February 1, 2026.
Qualification and Structure
- The tournament features a 32-player main event.
- The top 24 players from the PDC Werner Rankings automatically qualify.
- The top 16 seeds were revealed during the draw at Oche on The Strand in London.
- Eight additional spots will be filled by players emerging from the Preliminary Rounds.
These rounds will include Tour Card Holders and representatives from secondary and junior darts tours.
Key Matches in Round One
The lineup of first-round matches includes several notable contests:
- Luke Humphries (2) vs. Dave Chisnall (16)
- Gian van Veen (3) vs. Ryan Joyce (14)
- Michael van Gerwen (4) vs. Damon Heta (13)
- Jonny Clayton (5) vs. Qualifier 4
- Gary Anderson (6) vs. Qualifier 1
Additionally, reigning champion Luke Littler will make his debut against De Decker. Past champions and high-ranking players like Ryan Searle, Nathan Aspinall, and Josh Rock will also be in action.
Preliminary Rounds and Tournament Format
The Preliminary Rounds will take place on January 28, with 32 players competing. The structure includes:
- Sets played over the best of three legs.
- Initial matches in the Preliminary Rounds contested as best of three sets.
- Seeding determined by PDC Werner Rankings for stage advancement.
Match results will dictate the order of play for the initial rounds of the tournament, which begins on January 29. The final stages of the event will unfold on February 1.
Conclusion
The 2026 Winmau World Masters promises thrilling moments and competitive darts. Fans can look forward to intense matchups as top players vie for the prestigious title at Arena MK.
