A NEW era begins at the BetVictor World Matchplay on Saturday, as the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross and Peter Wright begin the challenge to succeed the legendary Phil Taylor as the king of the Blackpool event.
The prestigious event, televised live on Sky Sports, will see 32 players competing for £500,000 in prize money, including a first prize of £115,000 for the winner along with the newly-titled Phil Taylor Trophy.
Only two-time winner Van Gerwen and 2007 champion James Wade have previously tasted victory at the historic Winter Gardens from this year's 32-player field - and the world number one is aiming to make it a third Blackpool triumph.
"The World Matchplay is one of the biggest tournaments of the year," said Van Gerwen, who will play fellow countryman Jeffrey de Zwaan on the opening night.
To win any trophy is nice but this is a huge tournament and it would be really special to win it for a third time.
"The venue is phenomenal and there is always a great crowd in who get behind me every year.
"Phil did well there in the past but times change. I think my time is now - I know Phil's records won't be beaten but I want to show that this is my era.
"You can't stand still and think about the past, you have to move forward and try to win the tournament.
"I will be huge favourite to beat Jeffrey even though he beat me in the UK Open, it will not be an easy game but I'm confident I will get the win."
Saturday's high profile opening night will also see Premier League finalist Michael Smith start his Blackpool challenge against in-form Welshman Jonny Clayton.
“I can’t wait to get there now and come out fighting,” said Smith, who claimed his first TV title in Shanghai last weekend.
Blackpool is one of the few events I get to stay at home for so I’ll come into the tournament feeling happy, well rested and enjoying spending time with family.
“In previous years I haven’t been there long enough, but this year I am well up for it and hopefully I can have a good run.”
Former finalist Adrian Lewis will take on James Wilson on night one, while four-time quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall will meet former World Youth Champion Keegan Brown.
The first round continues with a double session on Sunday, with the afternoon's action headlined by World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney taking on Steve West.
Premier League star Gerwyn Price faces Joe Cullen, Ian White meets German youngster Max Hopp and Darren Webster takes on emerging Irish star Steve Lennon.
Champions League of Darts and German Darts Masters winner Mensur Suljovic opens the evening session against evergreen Steve Beaton, who is competing in Blackpool for a 19th time.
Gary Anderson, in search of his first World Matchplay title, plays Stephen Bunting before World Champion Cross takes on Mervyn King and Raymond van Barneveld faces Kyle Anderson.
The first round concludes on Monday, with 2007 winner Wade meeting rapid-fire Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena and 2017 finalist Peter Wright, the number two seed, coming up against Jelle Klaasen.
Kim Huybrechts is seeking his first win at the Winter Gardens in seven attempts as he faces John Henderson, while Simon Whitlock takes on Richard North.
Van Gerwen is the red-hot favourite with BetVictor to lift a third World Matchplay title at 4/6, while Anderson is the 8/1 joint second favourite alongside Cross, with Wright in at 10/1.
A limited number of tickets are still available from the Winter Gardens Box Office by calling 0844 856 111 or in person.
The BetVictor World Matchplay will be televised live on Sky Sports and worldwide through the PDC's broadcast partners, as well as through PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers (outside of UK, Ireland & Netherlands).
2018 BetVictor World Matchplay
Schedule of Play
Saturday July 21 (7pm)
First Round
Adrian Lewis v James Wilson
Dave Chisnall v Keegan Brown
Michael van Gerwen v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Michael Smith v Jonny Clayton
Sunday July 22
Afternoon Session (1pm)
First Round
Darren Webster v Steve Lennon
Ian White v Max Hopp
Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen
Daryl Gurney v Steve West
Evening Session (7.30pm)
First Round
Mensur Suljovic v Steve Beaton
Gary Anderson v Stephen Bunting
Rob Cross v Mervyn King
Raymond van Barneveld v Kyle Anderson
Monday July 23 (7pm)
First Round
Kim Huybrechts v John Henderson
Simon Whitlock v Richard North
James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena
Peter Wright v Jelle Klaasen
Format
Best of 19 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth additional leg is sudden-death. For example, should a First Round game (best of 19 legs) reach 12-12, then the 25th leg would be the final and deciding leg.
BetVictor Odds
Tournament Winner
4/6 Michael van Gerwen
8/1 Gary Anderson, Rob Cross
10/1 Peter Wright
25/1 Mensur Suljovic
28/1 James Wade
33/1 Michael Smith, Daryl Gurney
40/1 Raymond van Barneveld, Adrian Lewis
100/1 Gerwyn Price, Dave Chisnall, Ian White, Simon Whitlock
125/1 Kim Huybrechts, Joe Cullen
150/1 Kyle Anderson
200/1 Stephen Bunting, Darren Webster, Jelle Klaasen, Jonny Clayton, Jermaine Wattimena, Max Hopp, Mervyn King, Steve Lennon, Steve West
300/1 James Wilson, John Henderson, Keegan Brown, Steve Beaton
500/1 Richard North, Jeffrey de Zwaan
Each-Way 1/2 Odds, 1-2.
First Round Match Odds
1/25 Michael van Gerwen v 9/1 Jeffrey de Zwaan
2/7 Adrian Lewis v 11/4 James Wilson
1/3 Dave Chisnall v 9/4 Keegan Brown
4/11 Michael Smith v 11/5 Jonny Clayton
1/3 Daryl Gurney v 9/4 Steve West
10/11 Gerwyn Price v 10/11 Joe Cullen
1/5 Gary Anderson v 7/2 Stephen Bunting
4/9 Raymond van Barneveld v 7/4 Kyle Anderson
1/6 Peter Wright v 4/1 Jelle Klaasen
4/7 Kim Huybrechts v 11/8 John Henderson
1/3 Simon Whitlock v 9/4 Richard North
4/11 James Wade v 11/5 Jermaine Wattimena
1/4 Mensur Suljovic v 3/1 Steve Beaton
4/9 Ian White v 7/4 Max Hopp
2/9 Rob Cross v 10/3 Mervyn King
8/15 Darren Webster v 6/4 Steve Lennon
Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy www.betvictor.com. Subject to fluctuation.