Everything you need to know about the Ladbrokes Masters
Published:
After thrills and spills on the oche at the World Championship in Alexandra Palace, the world’s best arrowsmiths return to action for the Ladbrokes Masters.
Gerwyn Price is the reigning world champion, following the Iceman’s superb performance to clinch a first world crown earlier this month. Can the Welshman follow it up and conquer all comers once again?
Ahead of the tournament, we’ve got everything you need to know right here…
Who is in the Ladbrokes Masters?
The world’s best darts players, of course! The PDC’s top-16 will be in attendance, meaning the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, James Wade, Michael Smith and many more will be looking to become master of the Masters and claim the £60,000 winner’s prize!
What’s new about this year’s Ladbrokes Masters?
And in an exciting addition for this year, for the first time in Ladbrokes Masters history, the PDC has expanded the field to 24 players.
This means eight players in addition to the top 16 will be on the oche. So we’ll get to see Stephen Bunting, Johnny Clayton, Simon Whitlock, Mervyn King, Adrian Lewis, Chris Dobey, Jeffrey de Zwaan and Mensur Suljovic handed a place in the first round.
To accommodate the expanded tournament, the top eight seeds will now enter the competition in the second round. Those seeded from ninth to sixteenth will have a first-round clash against one of the eight additional entrants.
What are the Ladbrokes Masters Odds?
Excellent question. Despite being sensationally defeated in the quarter-finals by an inspired Dave Chisnall, Michael van Gerwen remains the man to beat according to our trading gurus.
Mighty Mike has dominated the Masters event since it was added to the PDC Tour in 2013, winning it five times on the spin 2015 to 2019. As such, it’s no surprise to see the Green Machine chalked up as 9/4 favourite.
And of course, having just become world champion for the first time, Gerwyn Price is right up there too. The Welshman is 11/4 to win his first Masters event, ahead of defending campion Peter Wright at 7/1.
Two-time world champ Gary Anderson is a 14/1 shot, having reached the world final at odds of 33/1. The Flying Scotsman is ahead of 16/1 shots Nathan Aspinall and Dimitri Van den Bergh. The Belgian’s place in the market is notable, given he’s the highest player with a round one fixture.
When is the Ladbrokes Masters?
This year’s Ladbrokes Masters will take place over the final weekend in January. Play begins at 19:00 (UK Time) on Friday 29th, with the final taking place on Sunday 31st. All matches will be screened live on ITV4, with the PDC recently announcing a new multi-year contract with the broadcaster.
Where is the Ladbrokes Masters?
As has been the case since 2015, this year’s Masters will again take place at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, with the tournament adhering to strict Covid-19 safety measures in order to ensure play goes ahead uninterrupted.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
