Overview
- Luke Littler beat Niko Springer 10–6 on Saturday to advance from the first round and take the opening step in defending his World Matchplay crown.
- Martin Schindler is scheduled to play former world champion Gerwyn Price in his first-round match on Monday evening.
- The tournament runs from 18–26 July at the Winter Gardens' Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, features 32 players (top 16 seeded against 16 ProTour qualifiers), and uses a legs format with a win-by-two rule.
- Reports conflict over live coverage: several outlets name DAZN as the pay broadcaster while at least one report says a free Pluto TV feed exists, and the discrepancy has not been resolved in the coverage provided.
- The event carries a £1,000,000 prize fund with £225,000 to the men's winner and Littler's ongoing run this season makes him the clear favourite to add another major to his record.