Monday 6 July 2015 13:26, UK
Phil Taylor will play John Henderson as he begins his bid to win an eighth successive BetVictor World Matchplay title in Blackpool.
The draw for the tournament, which took place live on Sky Sports News HQ, also sees World Champion Gary Anderson take on Steve Beaton.
Taylor has enjoyed an incredible run of success since the World Matchplay's introduction in 1994, with 15 wins at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
The only other previous World Matchplay champion in the 32-player field for the 2015 event, world number six James Wade, will play Blackpool debutant Kyle Anderson in his first round tie.
World number one Michael van Gerwen - last year's beaten finalist in Blackpool - who has already won The Masters and the UK Open in 2015, takes on fellow Dutchman Benito van de Pas in his first round game.
The Dutchman says he is looking forward to sampling the unique Winter Gardens atmosphere again - and hopefully go one better than 2014.
"It is a big one – nice crowd, nice venue," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports News HQ. "It is a lovely atmosphere and I need to use that. I really like to play there and I want to show everyone what I can do.
"Three years ago I reached the quarter-finals, two years ago I reached the semi-finals and last year the final. So this year I want to go one step more and that is the win of course.
"I am really desperate to win this one. I have never won it so it is a big target for me this year.It is a lovely place to play.
"Last year I was emotional because I let myself down and when you let yourself down, sometimes you can’t handle your emotions and you start crying like a baby.
"But that is one of those things that makes you stronger and helps you concentrate for the next tournaments.
"I have a fabulous start to the year and I want to continue it.
"I hope I can put on a good performance at this year’s Matchplay - but don’t forget there are 31 other players there and you never know what is going to happen."
Number four seed Adrian Lewis, the 2013 runner-up, will play Joe Murnan, while UK Open and Japan Darts Masters finalist Peter Wright opens up against Kim Huybrechts.
World Youth Champion Keegan Brown will make his Winter Gardens debut against Robert Thornton, while Simon Whitlock takes on Jelle Klaasen and Raymond van Barneveld plays former World Championship runner-up Andy Hamilton in round one.
BetVictor World Matchplay
First Round Draw
Michael van Gerwen v Benito van de Pas
Justin Pipe v Jamie Lewis
Simon Whitlock v Jelle Klaasen
Ian White v Stephen Bunting
Peter Wright v Kim Huybrechts
Mervyn King v Andrew Gilding
Adrian Lewis v Joe Murnan
Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price
Phil Taylor v John Henderson
Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton
Dave Chisnall v Jamie Caven
Robert Thornton v Keegan Brown
James Wade v Kyle Anderson
Brendan Dolan v Vincent van der Voort
Gary Anderson v Steve Beaton
Terry Jenkins v Mensur Suljovic
