The UK-based betting firm, Betfred and darts’ World Matchplay have extended their championship collaboration till the end of the decade. The arrangement includes the Professional Darts Corporation tournament until 2030, with the relationship between the two companies reaching a decade by the agreement’s end date.
The World Matchplay begins on Saturday at Winter Gardens, with the winner taking home £200,000 from the £800,000 prize pool. Next year, the prize money will increase to £1 million, with the champion receiving £225,000.
Betfred Owner, Fred Done, said, “The Betfred World Matchplay is one of the highlights of the year – I love the seaside party atmosphere coupled with top quality sport. We’re delighted to extend our sponsorship with the PDC for another five years, during an exciting period for darts as a sport. The quality of the field has never been stronger, and we can only see these tournaments continuing to grow in the coming years.”
Luke Humphries won the championship in 2024 and will defend it this season, along with 31 other men’s draw players. The arrangement also includes the Women’s World Matchplay.
Luke Littler, a teen darts phenomenon, is the favourite to win the Phil Taylor Trophy in the men’s tournament, while Beau Greaves is the top selection in the women’s competition, where she is aiming for her third victory in a row.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter, said, “Betfred have become synonymous with the World Matchplay since joining us as title sponsor in 2019, and it’s wonderful that they’ve extended that support for a further five years. Their backing of the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay echoes their commitment to the sport, and we’re excited that prize money for both events will increase from 2026. This year’s Betfred World Matchplay sold out in record time following the huge success of our 2024 tournament, and we can’t wait to get back to Blackpool alongside Betfred next week.”
