Michael van Gerwen successfully defended his World Matchplay title by defeating Phil Taylor 18–10 in the final.

It was the first (and would turn out to be, only) time that Taylor has been defeated in a World Matchplay final.

Van Gerwen also became only the third player to successfully defend the Matchplay trophy after Taylor and Rod Harrington.

It was also the first time that James Wade was defeated before the World Matchplay quarter finals, after losing to Mervyn King in the first round.

However, in 2013 after consulting the host broadcaster Sky Sports, the PDC decided that games will now only proceed for a maximum of six extra legs before a tie-break leg is required.