The 1998 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

A classic final between Harrington and Ronnie Baxter was characterised with deadly finishing from Baxter, who led the final for most of the way, and Harrington's stubbornness in clinging on and keeping the match neck-and-neck.

At 17-17, a moment of significant darting history occurred when Harrington took out 125 via treble 15 and two consecutive double 20s.

The standard check out route on 80 with two darts in hand had been, up to this point, almost invariably treble 20 and double ten.

Phil Taylor was the reigning champion going into the tournament, but lost 10-13 to Baxter in the quarter finals.