The Dart Side of Life - The Adrian Geiler Column #11: World Matchplay 2026: Four BULL'S Stars Ready to Take on Blackpool
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The World Matchplay is the highlight of the darts summer—and four BULL'S players will be part of the action in Blackpool. Jermaine Wattimena, Martin Schindler, Krzysztof Ratajski and debutant Niko Springer all face tough opening-round tests, but each has reasons to believe a deep tournament run is within reach. Adrian Geiler breaks down their draws, assesses their chances, and explains why one of them could become this year's surprise package.
Hello darts fans,
It’s summer! And in the world of darts, that means one thing: the World Matchplay. After the World Championship, the major staged in the iconic, gold-clad Empress Ballroom at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens is the second-oldest, second-most prestigious, and second-richest tournament of the year. A record £1 million is up for grabs this time around, thanks to the PDC’s latest prize money increase.
Four BULL’S players have qualified for the highlight of the darts summer. None of them are seeded, which means they’ve all been handed tough opening draws. So let’s take a closer look.
Jermaine Wattimena (vs. James Wade)
Last year, "The Machine Gun" finally broke through. On his fifth attempt, the Dutchman claimed his first-ever World Matchplay victory, defeating a solid Peter Wright 10–8. In the second round, he came within touching distance of a huge upset. Wattimena pushed none other than Luke Littler into extra legs before eventually losing 11–13. The eventual champion was fortunate to survive, too—Jermaine had led 7–2.
This year, the world number 17 finds himself on the opposite side of the draw from defending champion Luke Littler, tucked away in the bottom half. His first-round opponent is a man who used to be something of a bogey player: James Wade. The two-time World Matchplay champion (who has appeared at every edition since 2006) won seven of their first eight meetings. But the tide has turned. Wattimena is unbeaten against Wade over the last four years, winning all four encounters.
That, combined with his excellent dress rehearsal in Leverkusen, where he reached his first-ever European Tour final, should give him plenty of confidence. Ryan Searle or William O'Connor would await in round two, followed potentially by one of the young Dutch stars, Gian van Veen or Wessel Nijman. Only after that might one of the Lukes appear—namely Luke Humphries.
Given both the draw and his current form, Wattimena has every right to be considered one of the dark horses for this year's World Matchplay.
Martin Schindler (vs. Gerwyn Price)
Germany's number one faces Gerwyn Price in what feels like the clash of two question marks.
"The Wall" has both good and bad memories of the Iceman. The Welshman has won 16 of their 22 meetings, but Schindler's most recent victory over Price proved to be the launchpad for the most successful period of his career. In Riesa, Martin defeated Price in the final to win his first professional title and
become Germany's number one—a position he has held since April 14. Three more titles later, he is now officially the most successful German darts player of all time.
Perhaps he needs another moment like that against Price—a fresh spark to reignite his season.
Because 2026 has been complicated. Outstanding performances—back-to-back European Tour quarter-finals, a Players Championship semi-final, and the highest average of any player at the World Cup—have been followed by disappointing displays: a 66 average early in the season, his first European Tour average below 80 in almost ten years, and no prize money in 15 of the 32 ProTour events.
Only Martin truly knows why. My guess? He's putting too much pressure on himself to live up to the success of the past few years, and it's making him tense. Maybe he simply wants it too badly.
Unfortunately, that brings him to the World Matchplay—a tournament where he has never won a match despite four previous appearances. A first Blackpool victory, of all people against Price, could be exactly the breakthrough he needs. A win that reminds him: You are good enough.
Nobody deserves that more.
Krzysztof Ratajski (vs. Gian van Veen)
What a wonderful time it must be to be a Polish darts fan.
The sport is booming in Poland. It finally has ambitious television coverage. And it has the perfect standard-bearer in Krzysztof Ratajski.
Last weekend, in the World Matchplay dress rehearsal in Leverkusen, the "Polish Eagle" lifted the trophy, claiming his third European Tour title and his remarkable twelfth PDC ranking title overall.
Behind him, another exciting talent is emerging in Sebastian Bialecki, although this year's World Matchplay has probably come just a little too early for him.
Ratajski has clearly left behind the dip in form caused by health issues and now has his sights set on returning to the world's top 16. To do that, he'll first need to eliminate World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen—a player he convincingly defeated in Leverkusen. That victory made it two wins from four meetings against the Dutchman.
Everything seems to be lining up perfectly for Ratajski: confidence from a title win, an opponent who isn't in irresistible form and whom he has just beaten, and a tournament full of positive memories.
Back in 2021, the Polish Eagle defeated Brendan Dolan, Luke Humphries and Callan Rydz before reaching the semi-finals, where defending champion Dimitri Van den Bergh finally stopped him.
A similar run certainly isn't beyond him this year.
Niko Springer (vs. Luke Littler)
That leaves just one man: the "Meenzer Bub." Niko Springer makes his World Matchplay debut—and immediately finds himself facing defending champion Luke Littler. For me, this is the match of the opening round. It's also a huge opportunity for Niko to show the darts world exactly what he's capable of. Of course, he's the clear underdog. Of course, everyone expects Luke Littler to win.
But that's the beauty of sport: it's unpredictable. There's always a chance, especially in darts. When they met on the ProTour in 2025, Springer wasn't far away from causing an upset.
Littler has played just four ranking events this year—and won three of them. On top of that came titles in the Premier League and, alongside Luke Humphries, the World Cup of Darts.
The Career Grand Slam is within reach this year. Even a clean sweep of every major title remains possible.
However, his last ranking tournament appearance came four months ago. Is that break too long? Or will the wonderkid simply pick up where he left off?
Springer, meanwhile, appears to have rediscovered his game at exactly the right time. The disappointment of the World Championship is firmly behind him. Although he suffered his first-ever Saturday defeat on the European Tour during the Leverkusen event—on his birthday, no less—his performances, including two 100+ averages, offer plenty of encouragement.
Let's be honest: this could still end 10–3 to Littler.
But it could also produce one of the greatest moments in recent German darts history on the opening day of the 2026 World Matchplay.
And if that happens, suddenly anything is possible.
Because if you knock out the number one seed, the tournament opens up.
A quick word on the women
The Women's World Matchplay takes place on the same day as the men's final.
Everything points toward Beau Greaves lifting the trophy. But last year, Lisa Ashton stunned her, meaning she returns as the defending champion.
Unfortunately, BULL'S player Trina Gulliver narrowly missed out on qualification. The "Golden Girl" found her form just a little too late. Perhaps next year will finally see the ten-time world champion make her World Matchplay debut.
And speaking of potential returns, one familiar face may well be back in the men's event in 2027. BULL'S player Cristo Reyes reached his first professional final at Players Championship 23 and has looked as though he never left. "The
Spartan" last appeared in Blackpool back in 2017. Ten years later, a long-awaited comeback could be on the cards.
One final fun fact: who has been the most successful BULL'S player in Blackpool?
The answer is Mensur Suljović.
The long-time BULL'S star contested arguably the greatest World Matchplay final of all time in 2018, eventually losing to Gary Anderson only after extra legs.
Perhaps one member of this year's BULL'S quartet can go one step further.
Game on, yours, Adrian