Nicky Goodbrand, Robert Sutherland Jnr and Jason Blatchford won the three finals of the 2026 WDDA World Matchplay, which took place on Sunday on the stage of the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. This news deserves special mention: these finals are not merely a side event; they serve as a reminder that World Matchplay week also acts as a showcase for the disability darts circuit.
The PDC confirmed the three winners on Wednesday morning, with the line-up split between the Ladies, Classic and Compris categories. The early rounds had been played in May at Bannockburn, before the finalists travelled to Blackpool to complete their campaigns in the same venue as the main matches of the Betfred World Matchplay.
Three WDDA finals at the Winter Gardens
The standout feature is, first and foremost, continuity. Nicky Goodbrand retained her title in the Ladies’ final by beating Lauren Healy 2-0, a year on from her previous victory. In a short final, the score tells the whole story: Goodbrand remained in control and did not allow the match to descend into a more tense affair.
In the Men’s event, Jason Blatchford also secured a 2-0 victory over Thomas Reid. This is significant because both players were making their debut in this final. Blatchford has therefore turned his first appearance at this event into a title win, which immediately lends weight to his time in Blackpool.
The Classic final confirmed a familiar face. Robert Sutherland Jnr won the title for the third year running against Rab Sutherland. The official scorecard published by the PDC lists a 2-0 victory, although the match report highlights Sutherland Jnr’s ability to regain control in a final with strong family ties.
Results of the 2026 WDDA World Matchplay finals
| Final | Result |
|---|---|
| WDDA World Matchplay Ladies | Nicky Goodbrand beats Lauren Healy 2-0 |
| WDDA World Matchplay Classic | Robert Sutherland Jnr beats Rab Sutherland 2-0 according to the official PDC scorecard |
| WDDA World Matchplay Open | Jason Blatchford beats Thomas Reid 2-0 |
Why this title also matters during the World Matchplay
In a week where the main headlines are dominated by the PDC main draw, these WDDA finals offer a different perspective on Blackpool. The Winter Gardens isn’t just a venue for crowning the top names on the professional circuit. It also hosts finals which, for the players involved, represent the highlight of the season.
This is also why the timing of these finals matters. Holding them during the World Matchplay window gives greater visibility to the WDDA categories, in a venue that fans already associate with the big moments of July. Put another way: the tournament benefits from the setting, but the players bring their own sporting stakes to the table.
To put this week’s events in Blackpool into context, our overview of the prize money for the 2026 World Matchplay also highlights the scale the main event has reached this season. The WDDA finals are part of this same drive for visibility, even if they follow a different sporting logic.
Coverage to follow beyond the result
The most interesting thing for us will be to see whether this exposure continues beyond Blackpool. Goodbrand is cementing her status in the Ladies category, Sutherland Jnr continues to dominate the Classic, and Blatchford emerges from this edition with a title that could change her standing on the tour.
This isn’t a story to be overplayed, but neither is it a set of results to be overlooked. In terms of French-language darts coverage, the WDDA World Matchplay remains largely overlooked. A victory at the Winter Gardens – especially one that combines a title defence, an extended run and a maiden title – deserves at least to be properly highlighted.
