The draw for the 2026 Winmau World Masters has been confirmed, setting the stage for a blockbuster return of one of darts’ most prestigious tournaments at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.
Defending champion Luke Humphries will begin his title defence against Dave Chisnall, a two-time Masters runner-up, while reigning World Champion Luke Littler opens his campaign against 2024 World Grand Prix winner Mike De Decker. The revamped Winmau World Masters gets underway with Preliminary Rounds on Wednesday January 28, ahead of the televised main event running from Thursday January 29 to Sunday February 1.
The top 24 players from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder have automatically qualified for the 32-player main event, with the world’s top 16 seeded in a draw made at Oche on The Strand in London. The remaining eight spots will be filled via the Preliminary Rounds, featuring Tour Card Holders alongside players from the PDC’s secondary, affiliate and junior tours.
World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen makes his Winmau World Masters debut against Ryan Joyce, while five-time champion Michael van Gerwen faces Australian number one Damon Heta. Last year’s finalist Jonny Clayton, two-time World Champion Gary Anderson and 2024 Masters winner Stephen Bunting will all meet qualifiers in round one.
Elsewhere, Ryan Searle clashes with former World Champion Rob Cross, Danny Noppert meets Daryl Gurney, and Northern Ireland number one Josh Rock awaits a qualifier. The match schedule for the opening rounds will be confirmed after Wednesday’s Preliminary Rounds.
Source: PDC.TV
