James Wade will begin his World Matchplay 2026 campaign against Jermaine Wattimena in Blackpool on 18 July. The 2024 champion is seeded 11th in the 32-player draw, which was released on 12 July.
Wade’s first-round clash comes just over a year after Luke Littler stunned him 18-13 in the 2025 final. Littler’s comeback from 5-0 down sealed the ‘Triple Crown’ and ended Wade’s title hopes in front of 2,500 fans at the Winter Gardens.
What the draw means for Wade
Wade’s path starts against Wattimena, a Dutch qualifier who reached the last 16 in 2025. The second seed, Luke Littler, faces Niko Springer in the opening round after his dramatic 2025 victory.
The top 16 seeds face the top 16 ProTour qualifiers in the first round. Wade’s seeding protects him from the early clashes between Littler and Springer or Luke Humphries and Cameron Menzies.
How the 2026 World Matchplay works
The World Matchplay uses a legs format with escalating targets. First-round matches go to 10 legs, rising to 18 in the final. Sudden death kicks in at 12-12 in round one, 13-13 in round two, and 20-20 in the decider.
Prize money has jumped to £1m, with the winner taking £225,000. The tournament runs from 18-26 July at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Why Wade’s 2026 campaign matters
Wade, 44, will chase a fourth World Matchplay semi-final after his 2024 triumph. His 2025 exit came in the quarter-finals, where he lost 16-10 to Littler.
The field also features 2024 winner Luke Humphries, 2023 champion Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson. Wade’s first match is scheduled for 18 July at 7pm BST.