Luke Littler delivered an outstanding performance at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, cruising to a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode and earning his place in the World Matchplay final opposite Gerwyn Price. The young English star once again proved why he is one of the sport’s most exciting talents, posting a 110.88 three‑dart average, hitting sixteen 180s and converting half of his attempts at doubles.
Those numbers sit alongside an earlier 113‑average and a perfect nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, as well as 109‑averages in his quarter‑final wins over Niko Springer and Josh Rock. Littler’s achievements extend beyond the scores on the board. By reaching this stage he became the first player in PDC history to amass £3 million in prize money, a milestone that places him £2 million ahead of Luke Humphries, who currently sits at world No.
2. He also eyes a historic back‑to‑back title in Blackpool – a feat not accomplished since Michael van Gerwen’s repeat in 2016 – and hopes to add another chapter to his rapidly growing legacy.
The Matchplay final is a crucial piece of Littler’s broader ambition for 2026: completing a clean sweep of the sport’s premier trophies. He already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, and he will be defending the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals later this year.
A victory over Price would bring him one step closer to that unprecedented haul. Price, nicknamed “The Iceman,” has not yet lifted the Phil Taylor trophy but he returned to the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 after a 17‑10 demolition of Dutch hopeful Gian van Veen. The win nudged him up to world No. 4 and reclaimed the Welsh No.
1 ranking from Jonny Clayton. "I’m thrilled to be Wales’ number one again," Price told Sky Sports, emphasizing the personal pride behind the ranking shift.
"The first half of the season I’ve been playing my best darts, and reaching a major final feels great – especially when it moves me ahead of Jonny in the standings." The semi‑finals themselves were a showcase of high‑octane darts. Littler opened his match with an 11‑dart leg followed by a flawless 12‑dart finish, quickly establishing a 4‑1 lead. He then surged ahead to 8‑2, delivering relentless scoring that left van Duijvenbode with little chance to recover.
During that stretch Littler recorded seven 180s, twelve 140s, and only three visits without a treble, finishing the session with a 117.10 average and a spectacular 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5). Although he fell just 0.9 points short of Phil Taylor’s Matchplay average record of 114.99, his performance was still among the tournament’s finest.
Littler’s momentum continued into the second session, where he expanded his lead to 16‑4. A brief lapse in his double‑finishing allowed van Duijvenbode to claw the match back to the 22nd leg, during which Littler missed five match darts. Nevertheless, he regained composure, hit back‑to‑back maximums, and after a decisive 12‑dart visit set up a finishing double that sealed the 17‑5 win and his place in the final.
Price’s path to the final was equally impressive. After taking an early 4‑1 advantage over Van Veen, the Welshman weathered a comeback that saw the Dutchman level the match at 6‑6.
Price then responded with a series of breaks of throw, pulling ahead to 10‑7. In the fifth session he turned up the heat, celebrating each big dart with his trademark "booyah" and averaging over 111. Four consecutive legs and a clutch checkout on the 27th leg clinched the match, confirming his status as a top‑four contender and setting up the showdown with Littler.
Both players have spoken about their aspirations. Littler told Sky Sports, "I want to stay dominant, keep winning, and eventually break Phil Taylor’s record for the longest spell at world number 1.
I’m aiming for three or four years at the top, and I hope we can go back‑to‑back in Blackpool tomorrow." Price echoed a similar drive, noting, "Being Wales’ number one again means a lot to me. I’ve been playing great darts this season, and reaching a final is a huge confidence boost.
The ranking points and the bragging rights are just icing on the cake." The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final, scheduled for later that evening, will be a best‑of‑35‑leg encounter between Littler and Price. The match promises a clash of contrasting styles: Littler’s relentless scoring and youthful exuberance versus Price’s icy composure and experience in big‑stage finals. Fans can catch the live action from 7.30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with the final expected to kick off around 8.15 pm. For those without a traditional TV subscription, the event will also be available for streaming via NOW and other platforms.
In addition to the men's competition, the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay will be broadcast from 1 pm on Sky Sports Action, featuring defending champion Lisa Ashton and three‑time finalist Beau Greaves, who is aiming for her third title in four years. The weekend’s darts programming offers something for every enthusiast, from the high‑stakes men’s final to the thrilling women's showcase. Overall, Luke Littler’s march to the final not only cements his status as the sport’s rising star but also sets the stage for a potential historic achievement: a back‑to‑back World Matchplay triumph and a continued push toward the longest reign at world number 1 in PDC history.
Whether he can dethrone the legends and rewrite the record books remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – the 2026 World Matchplay will be a landmark event for darts fans worldwide.