World Matchplay line-up includes former winners Michael van Gerwen and James Wade
Monday 2 July 2018 10:36, UK
James Wade and Michael van Gerwen are the only former champions named in the field to challenge for the World Matchplay, live on Sky Sports from July 21.
They will vie for the newly-named 'Phil Taylor Trophy' - so-called after the 16-time Matchplay champion who retired in January.
Van Gerwen, the 2015 and 2016 winner, is the top seed heading into the 25th staging of the tournament at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
Wade, who won the title in 2007, is the 10th seed in a field that includes five debutants.
Welshman Jonny Clayton and Germany's Max Hopp secured their World Matchplay debuts following European Tour victories this year, while Jeffrey de Zwaan won his maiden Players Championship title in April.
Another Dutchman, Jermaine Wattimena, and Ireland's Steve Lennon complete the five new faces.
The World Matchplay is live on Sky Sports from July 21.
2018 BetVictor World Matchplay
PDC Order of Merit Qualifiers (Seeded for draw)
1 Michael van Gerwen
2 Peter Wright
3 Rob Cross
4 Gary Anderson
5 Daryl Gurney
6 Mensur Suljovic
7 Simon Whitlock
8 Dave Chisnall
9 Michael Smith
10 James Wade
11 Ian White
12 Gerwyn Price
13 Raymond van Barneveld
14 Darren Webster
15 Kim Huybrechts
16 Adrian Lewis
ProTour Order of Merit Qualifiers
Jonny Clayton
Joe Cullen
Stephen Bunting
Max Hopp
Mervyn King
Jermaine Wattimena
Steve West
Steve Beaton
Kyle Anderson
James Wilson
John Henderson
Keegan Brown
Jelle Klaasen
Steve Lennon
Jeffrey De Zwaan
Richard North
