The 1996 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom

Empress Ballroom

The Empress Ballroom is a 3,000 capacity entertainment venue, in Blackpool Lancashire, England. It is located within the Winter Gardens, a large entertainment complex in the town centre....

 at the Winter Gardens

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

The Winter Gardens is a large entertainment complex in the town centre of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It has twelve different venues, including a theatre, ballroom and conference facilities. Opened in 1878, it is a Grade II* listed building, incorporating various elements built between 1875 and...

, Blackpool

Blackpool

Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...

. This was brewery Samuel Webster's

Samuel Webster's

Webster's , was a brewery founded in 1838 by Samuel Webster which operated at the Fountain Head Brewery in Halifax in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England until 1996. Its two most famous brands, Webster's Green Label, a light mild, and Yorkshire Bitter continue to be sold, although the cask...

 second and final year as tournament sponsor. The tournament was won by Peter Evison

Peter Evison

Peter Evison is a darts player who has enjoyed a long career in the game. His greatest achievements were to win the 1989 Winmau World Masters and the 1996 World Matchplay. He has also come close to winning the World Championship on a number of occasions.Before appearing in a major tournament...

.

1st Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Steve Brown (USA) v Bob Anderson (Eng) 3 - 8
• Eric Bristow (Eng) v Dennis Smith (Eng) 5 - 8
• Paul Bratherton (Eng) v Mick Manning (Eng) 2 - 8
• Shayne Burgess (Eng) v John Lowe (Eng) 6 - 8
• Keith Deller (Eng) v Sean Downs (USA) 7 - 9
• Larry Butler (USA) v Peter Evison (Eng) 3 - 8
• Graeme Stoddart (Eng) v Ritchie Gardner (Eng) 8 - 3
• Phil Gilman (Eng) v Jamie Harvey (Sco) 5 - 8
• Rod Harrington (Eng) v Bruce Robbins (Eng) 8 - 3
• Dave Kelly (Eng) v Peter Manley (Eng) 2 - 8
• Tom Kirby (USA) v Phil Taylor (Eng) 2 - 8
• Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) v Gerald Verrier (USA) 8 - 4
• Paul Lim (USA) v Kevin Spiolek (Eng) 10 - 8
• Chris Mason (Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 8 - 10
• Gary Mawson (Can) v Dennis Priestley (Eng) 4 - 8
• Jerry Umberger (USA) v Steve Raw (Eng) 8 - 3

2nd Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Bob Anderson (Eng) v Paul Lim (USA) 8 - 6
• Sean Downs (USA) v Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) 8 - 5
• Rod Harrington (Eng) v Mick Manning (Eng) 8 - 1
• Peter Evison 105.48(Eng) v Phil Taylor (Eng) 8 - 1
• John Lowe (Eng) v Dennis Smith (Eng) 5 - 8
• Peter Manley (Eng) v Jamie Harvey (Sco) 3 - 8
• Jerry Umberger (USA) v Dennis Priestley (Eng) 4 - 8
• Graeme Stoddart (Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 3 - 8

Quarter Finals

(best of 21 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Peter Evison (Eng) v Sean Downs(USA) 11 - 3
• Jamie Harvey (Sco) v Dennis Smith (Eng) 11 - 5
• Bob Anderson(Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 11 - 6
• Dennis Priestley (Eng) v Rod Harrington (Eng) 15 - 13

Semi Finals

(best of 25 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Peter Evison (Eng) v Jamie Harvey (Sco) 13 - 9
• Dennis Priestley (Eng) v Bob Anderson(Eng) 13 - 11

Third Place Play Off

(best of 21 legs, no tiebreak)

• Bob Anderson (Eng) v Jamie Harvey (Sco) 11 - 10

Final

(best of 31 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Peter Evison (Eng) v Dennis Priestley (Eng) 16 - 14