This year's World Matchplay is not at Blackpool's famous Winter Gardens, so over the next two weeks we are taking a stroll down memory lane.
From the triumph of American Larry Butler in 1994 to Rob Cross joining the list of illustrious names to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy in 2019, the World Matchplay has provided a long list of summer moments to remember.
World Matchplay - Saturday's matches
| (16) Simon Whitlock v Ryan Joyce |
| (13) Krzysztof Ratajski v Jermaine Wattimena |
| (9) James Wade v Keegan Brown |
| (1) Michael van Gerwen v Brendan Dolan |
| (8) Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe |
| <i>from 6pm, Sky Sports Action</i> |
The white-hot atmosphere of the Empress Ballroom on the Lancashire coast in the summer sunshine will be much missed as the coronavirus forces the tournament behind closed doors in Milton Keynes.
Here's our look back at some of the best moments Blackpool has had to offer. Hit play on the video at the top of the page to rewind to see Taylor's memorable final tournament, where he lifted the trophy that would go on to bear his name.
The story so far...
Harrington's epic 1998 win
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Rod Harrington won the World Matchplay twice, so with two days to go until this year's tournament starts, take a look at how he beat Ronnie Baxter in a memorable final in 1998.
MVG claims the Matchplay
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Michael van Gerwen has reached the World Matchplay final on three occasions, winning twice. So, with three days to go until this year's tournament starts, we look at the first time Mighty Mike took the crown in 2015.
Cross proves he is no flash in the pan
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Rob Cross will compete in his fourth World Matchplay in 2020, so with just four days to go until this year's tournament starts, take a look at how he beat Michael Smith in the 2019 final.
Lloydy seals glory with the big fish
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Colin Lloyd reached five PDC major finals in his career, so with five days to go until the World Matchplay starts, take a look at his most memorable final as he took the crown by hitting the 'big fish' in 2005.
Wade's 2007 delight
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James Wade has reached the World Matchplay final six times, so with six days to go until this year's tournament starts, take a look at how he became champion in 2007.
Taylor hits perfection
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Seven players have hit a nine-darter at the World Matchplay; we look back to the moment Phil Taylor hit the first televised PDC nine-darter in 2002
Wade ends The Power's streak
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Taylor lost just eight games at the World Matchplay, take a look at when James Wade ended his eight-year unbeaten run in 2015
Butler claims the first
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Nine different players have won the World Matchplay, we look back at American Larry Butler's victory in the first event back in 1994
Anderson finally gets his Matchplay
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Gary Anderson has recorded ten 100+ match averages at the World Matchplay, take a look at the Flying Scotsman's route to the title in 2018
Evison's stunning success
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Peter Evison competed at the World Matchplay 11 times - take a look at his route to the title in 1996
Flintoff calls MVG's perfect leg
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Take a look back at when Michael van Gerwen hit double 12 back in 2012 to send Freddie Flintoff wild in the commentary box!
The world's top 16 players will be joined by the top 16 from a one-year Order of Merit when this year's event gets underway in Milton Keynes.
Can Rob Cross defend his title? Will Michael van Gerwen end his Matchplay hoodoo or will there be a new name on the trophy?
Darts returns to Sky Sports in July, with nine days of coverage from the World Matchplay getting underway on Saturday, July 18, and every day until the final on Sunday, July 26.
