The quarterfinals of the 2026 World Matchplay of Darts took place on Tuesday in Blackpool, England. The tournament, one of the sport's biggest events, is held annually at the Winter Gardens. In the day's standout match, Dutch player Dirk van Duijvenbode advanced to the semifinals after a hard-fought victory over Scotland's Gary Anderson.
Van Duijvenbode built a strong lead early in the match, but Anderson mounted a late surge, winning several legs in a row to put pressure on his opponent. However, Van Duijvenbode managed to hold his nerve and secure the win, booking his place in the last four. The final score was not immediately available.
The World Matchplay features the world's top darts players competing in a knockout format. The quarterfinals mark the stage where only eight players remain. Van Duijvenbode's victory was one of several matches played on day six of the event.
Other quarterfinal matches also took place, with players vying for a spot in the semifinals. The tournament continues through the week, culminating in the final on Sunday. Fans at the Winter Gardens witnessed high-quality darts as the competition intensified.
Anderson, a former world champion, fought hard but could not overcome Van Duijvenbode's early advantage. The Dutchman will now await his semifinal opponent, who will be determined by the remaining quarterfinal results.