World Matchplay Darts: Michael Smith to miss event for first time since 2013 after finishing outside qualification spots
Michael Smith to miss World Matchplay Darts for first time since 2013 after finishing outside qualification spots; Smith, the 2019 runner-up, needed to reach semi-finals of Players Championship 21 but lost early; World Matchplay live on Sky Sports from July 19-27
Thursday 10 July 2025 08:06, UK
Michael Smith will miss out on the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013 after failing to secure a qualification spot.
Smith, the 2019 runner-up in Blackpool, needed to reach at least the semi-finals of Wednesday's Players Championship event in Leicester to book his place at the World Matchplay, which is live on Sky Sports from July 19-27.
However, 'Bully Boy' lost 6-4 in the first round to Thibault Tricole and will now not be among the 32 names in action at the Winter Gardens later this month.
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Bradley Brooks sealed an 8-5 win over Gerwyn Price in the final to win his maiden PDC ProTour title, while Raymond van Barneveld earlier qualified for the World Matchplay due to his progress in the tournament.
Another nine-darter was delivered by Dirk van Duijvenbode in a first round win over Jim Williams following a trio of perfect legs in Tuesday's Players Championship.
How has Smith missed out?
The top 16 players in the PDC Order of Merit - including world No 1 and defending champion Luke Humphries as well as reigning world champion Luke Littler - plus the next 16 players based on the 12-month PDC ProTour Order of Merit reach the Matchplay.
Smith is outside the world's top 20 after a drop-off in form since winning the World Championship at Alexandra Palace in January 2023.
The 34-year-old has spoken openly about suffering from arthritis in his right hand while a shoulder injury has also hampered him.
Confirmed 2025 World Matchplay field
Top 16 from PDC Order of Merit (Seeded for first round draw)
1. Luke Humphries
2. Luke Littler
3. Michael van Gerwen
4. Stephen Bunting
5. Jonny Clayton
6. Chris Dobey
7. Damon Heta
8. Nathan Aspinall
9. James Wade
10. Rob Cross
11. Gerwyn Price
12. Dave Chisnall
13. Gary Anderson
14. Ross Smith
15. Peter Wright
16. Danny Noppert
Qualifiers from ProTour Rankings
Martin Schindler
Josh Rock
Cameron Menzies
Gian van Veen
Wessel Nijman
Ryan Searle
Mike De Decker
Dirk van Duijvenbode
Jermaine Wattimena
Andrew Gilding
Daryl Gurney
Joe Cullen
Ricardo Pietreczko
Luke Woodhouse
Raymond van Barneveld
Ryan Joyce
Watch the World Matchplay live on Sky Sports from July 19-27 or stream without a contract.
