THE schedule for the Cazoo Masters involving St Helens throwers Michael Smith, Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall is now confirmed.

Chris Dobey will begin his defence of the title on Friday, February 2, on a bumper opening night in Milton Keynes.

The 12th staging of the Cazoo Masters will see the world’s top 24 players competing for silverware across three days of action at Marshall Arena.

The first round will feature players ranked 9-24 on the PDC Order of Merit, with reigning champion Dobey set to face 2023 UK Open champion Andrew Gilding for a place in Saturday’s second round in a stand-out tie.

Former champions Jonny Clayton, Joe Cullen and James Wade will also headline Friday’s star-studded opening night, as they take on Krzysztof Ratajski, Josh Rock and Dimitri Van den Bergh respectively.

Two-time runner-up Chisnall will open his challenge against Germany’s Martin Schindler, whose World Cup partner Gabriel Clemens will play Australian number one Damon Heta.

Former European Champion Ross Smith faces a resurgent Bunting for a place in the last 16 against world number one Luke Humphries, while Dirk van Duijvenbode and Ryan Searle collide in the opening match of the tournament.

Following Friday’s eight first-round matches, the second round will take place across two sessions on Saturday, February 3.

Saturday afternoon’s session will feature four last 16 ties, with 2020 champion Peter Wright set to meet Clayton or Ratajski for a place in the quarter-finals.

Former World Champions Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross will also get their campaigns underway, while world number seven Danny Noppert kicks off Saturday’s double session against Chisnall or Schindler.

The winner of Dobey and Gilding’s tussle will play five-time winner Michael van Gerwen, as 2020 runner-up Michael Smith and reigning World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall also enter the tournament.

The 2024 Cazoo Masters will then conclude on Sunday, February 4, with the quarter-finals in the afternoon session, followed by the semi-finals and final in a bumper evening session.

The 2024 Cazoo Masters will be broadcast live on ITV in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).

2024 Cazoo Masters schedule

Friday February 2 (1900-2300 GMT)

8x First Round

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Ryan Searle

Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski

Dave Chisnall v Martin Schindler

Damon Heta v Gabriel Clemens

Dimitri Van den Bergh v James Wade

Chris Dobey v Andrew Gilding

Joe Cullen v Josh Rock

Stephen Bunting v Ross Smith

Saturday February 3

Afternoon Session (1245-1700 GMT)

4x Second Round

Danny Noppert v Dave Chisnall/Martin Schindler

Rob Cross v Damon Heta/Gabriel Clemens

Peter Wright v Jonny Clayton/Krzysztof Ratajski

Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen/Josh Rock

Evening Session (1900-2300 GMT)

4x Second Round

Nathan Aspinall v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Ryan Searle

Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting/Ross Smith

Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey/Andrew Gilding

Michael Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh/James Wade

Sunday February 4

Afternoon Session (1245-1700 GMT), Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (1900-2300 GMT), Semi-Finals, Final

Draw Bracket

(1) Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting/Ross Smith

(8) Peter Wright v Jonny Clayton/Krzysztof Ratajski

(4) Nathan Aspinall v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Ryan Searle

(5) Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen/Josh Rock

(2) Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey/Andrew Gilding

(7) Danny Noppert v Dave Chisnall/Martin Schindler

(3) Michael Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh/James Wade

(6) Rob Cross v Damon Heta/Gabriel Clemens