Thrashed 16-6 by eventual winner Phil Taylor in last year's World Matchplay Darts, Michael van Gerwen will be eager to regain the coveted Blackpool crown over the next ten days, and the action kicks off at the Winter Gardens on Saturday evening, and van Gerwen will face fellow Dutchman Jeffrey de Zwaan in the first round, and that game will be third on stage on what is a sparkling opening night's action.
Van Gerwen bagged victory in the Blackpool showpiece in both 2015 and 2016, but defeat to the now-retired Taylor will leave him want to get back to winning ways at the north west venue, and the winner of MVG's match will face Adrian Lewis or James Wilson, who meet in the first match of the tournament.
James Wade is the only other former winner taking his chance in the field and the 2007 champion will face Jermaine Wattimena on Monday for a spot in the second round, while reigning world champion Rob Cross will do battle with veteran Mervyn King on Sunday evening.
Other notable first-round clashes include Gary Anderson v Stephen Bunting, which is arguably the most intriguing of the first-round games, while last year's beaten finalist Peter Wright will take on Dutch dynamo Jelle Klaasen.
2018 BetVictor World Matchplay
Schedule of Play
Saturday July 21 (7pm)
First Round
Adrian Lewis v James Wilson
Dave Chisnall v Keegan Brown
Michael van Gerwen v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Michael Smith v Jonny Clayton
Sunday July 22
Afternoon Session (1pm)
First Round
Darren Webster v Steve Lennon
Ian White v Max Hopp
Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen
Daryl Gurney v Steve West
Evening Session (7.30pm)
First Round
Mensur Suljovic v Steve Beaton
Gary Anderson v Stephen Bunting
Rob Cross v Mervyn King
Raymond van Barneveld v Kyle Anderson
Monday July 23 (7pm)
First Round
Kim Huybrechts v John Henderson
Simon Whitlock v Richard North
James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena
Peter Wright v Jelle Klaasen
Michael van Gerwen means business ahead of the @BetVictor World Matchplay...
