The Stan James World Matchplay Darts takes place in the Emporess Ballroom at the historic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The tournament is perceived to be the 2nd biggest event in the PDC calendar, behind only the World Championship. The tournament runs for 7 days and features the very best darts players in the world today. With this being a matchplay event it's played over legs only, not sets and each match has to be won by 2 clear legs.

2008 saw the 15th renewal of the World Matchplay, the first of which was played in 1994 when American Larry Butler beat Dennis Priestley in the final to win the trophy.

Five other men have got their name on the trophy. Not surprisingly Phil Taylor is one of them. The first of his nine Matchplay crowns came in 1995.

Peter Evison, Rod Harrington, Colin Lloyd and most recently James Wade are the other names on the trophy. James Wade goes to Blackpool as the defending champion having beat Terry Jenkins 18-7 in last years final.

The longest finals in Blackpool were in 1998 and 1999 when Rod Harrington beat Ronnie Baxter and Peter Manley 19-17 respectively.

The 2008 Tournament was won by Phil Taylor when he convincingly beat defending champion James Wade 18-9 in the final.