Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to a 17-5 triumph over Dirk van Duijvenbode and earning his place in the World Matchplay final where he will meet Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens. Littler’s numbers were nothing short of spectacular: he posted an average of 110.88, launched sixteen 180s and hit doubles at a 50 percent clip.
Those statistics sit alongside an earlier 113-plus average and a nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑point averages in victories over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Beyond the raw figures, Littler has now amassed £3 million in prize money – a landmark that makes him the first player in PDC history to reach that financial milestone. The gap between him and world No.
2 Luke Humphries stretches to roughly £2 million, underscoring his rapid ascent. He also aims to become the first competitor in a decade to retain the Blackpool title, a feat last achieved by Michael van Gerwen in 2016. A win in the Matchplay would be pivotal for Littler’s 2026 agenda, as he already holds the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters titles. He is also the defending champion of the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals, meaning a clean‑sweep of major trophies would cement his status as the sport’s dominant force.
Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price – often dubbed “The Iceman” – is back in the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 after a 17‑10 demolition of Gian van Veen. The victory lifts Price to world No. 4 and reclaims the Welsh number‑one ranking from Jonny Clayton, a switch Price celebrated as a matter of national pride.
Littler’s semi‑final against van Duijvenbode began with an 11‑dart leg followed by a 12‑dart finish, quickly propelling him to a 4‑1 lead. He then surged ahead to 8‑2, delivering relentless scoring that left his opponent with few chances. In that stretch Littler recorded seven 180s, twelve 140s, and only three visits without a treble, while maintaining a 117.10 average. Although he slipped a leg at 11‑11, he rebounded with a stylish 130 checkout (T20‑T20‑D5) to close the third session.
Even at his “weakest” moment, his average was just 0.9 points shy of Phil Taylor’s Matchplay record of 114.99. By the final session Littler was cruising at 16‑4, needing just one more leg to seal his place in the championship match. A brief lapse in his double‑throw allowed van Duijvenbode to force a 22nd leg, during which Littler missed five match darts.
He responded by hitting back‑to‑back maximums, setting up tops after twelve darts and then clinching the leg to secure a dominant win. Price’s path to the final was equally impressive. After taking an early 4‑1 lead over Van Veen, the Welshman weathered a comeback that saw the score tighten to 6‑4.
He then unleashed a string of five consecutive breaks of throw, extending his advantage to 10‑7. In the decisive fifth session Price’s trademark “booyah” celebration rang out after each big dart, as he averaged over 111 and captured four straight legs, ultimately sealing the match on the 27th leg. Looking ahead, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final is slated for later on Sunday evening, featuring a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown between Littler and Price.
The event will be broadcast live from 7.30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with the climax expected around 8.15 pm. Fans can also stream the action via NOW.
Beyond the immediate showdown, Littler has spoken about his broader ambitions, expressing a desire to stay dominant, continue winning, and eventually surpass Phil Taylor’s record of three to four years as world No. 1.
He reiterated his goal of achieving a back‑to‑back victory in Blackpool and hinted at targeting the longest reign at the top of the rankings. Price, for his part, highlighted the significance of reclaiming the Welsh number‑one spot and emphasized his strong start to the season, noting that his recent form has been “really good.” He acknowledged the satisfaction of reaching another major final and the boost it gives his ranking, now sitting just ahead of his compatriot Jonny Clayton.
The day also features the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay, with defending champion Lisa Ashton returning and Beau Greaves aiming for a third title in four years. The tournament will be broadcast live from 1 pm on Sky Sports Action, adding another layer of excitement to a packed darts calendar. In summary, Luke Littler’s extraordinary run – marked by record‑breaking earnings, sky‑high averages and a relentless scoring streak – sets the stage for a thrilling final against a resilient Gerwyn Price, who has also demonstrated why he remains a top contender. The world will be watching to see whether Littler can complete his historic clean‑sweep of 2026 trophies and cement his place among darts’ all‑time greats.