THE final four places in the Stan James World Matchplay will be decided this weekend in two of the most important events of the year.
Two Players Championship events will be played over the weekend, with a total of £40,000 in prize money up for grabs - as well as the four qualifying places in next month's World Matchplay.
The world's top 28 qualify automatically for the World Matchplay, leaving the remaining four places to go to the best four performers outside of those players over eight Players Championship tournaments staged this year.
Currently, Dutch duo Michael van Gerwen and Jelle Klaasen occupy two of the spots, along with rising star from Sussex Adrian Gray and Welshman Sean Palfrey.
However, should a player reach either final over the course of the weekend, their £2,500 minimum prize as runner-up should be enough to win a place in the World Matchplay.
"This could prove to be one of the most exciting and important weekends of the year," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"The players have been battling in Gibraltar, Germany, Holland and Belgium leading up to this and I'm sure some hopes will be shattered as well as four players being delighted on Sunday evening.
"The Stan James World Matchplay is an event all players now want to be in - the Winter Gardens is a fantastic venue and it's the showpiece tournament of the summer."
Portsmouth's Andy Jenkins is looking to bounce back from his fourth round exit at last week's Blue Square UK Open, facing Derbyshire's Mark Robinson in his opening game on Saturday and Bristol's Steve Brown on Sunday.
Hampshire duo James Wade and Colin Monk are also in action, but the world's top two players - Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld - are not in the event.
Play begins at Midday on Saturday and Sunday, with admission costing £5 per day or £7 for both days.
Sunday's play will be followed by the draw for the 2007 Stan James World Matchplay.
Click here for the draw for the two Players Championships