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 face Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens. The young English prodigy continued to dazzle statisticians and fans alike, posting a staggering 110.88 three‑dart average, hitting sixteen 180s, and converting half of his attempts at the double. Those numbers sit comfortably alongside his earlier feats in the tournament: a 113‑plus average and a perfect nine‑dart leg against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑average displays against Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Beyond the raw figures, Littler achieved a historic financial milestone, becoming the first player in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) history to amass £3 million in prize money.
The gap between him and his nearest rival, Luke Humphries, now stands at roughly £2 million, underscoring his rapid ascent to the sport's elite. Littler also has his sights set on becoming the first player in a decade to retain the Blackpool title, a feat last accomplished by Michael van Gerwen in 2016. The significance of this Matchplay victory extends far beyond a single trophy.
Littler is on a mission to complete a clean sweep of major titles in 2026. He already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League, and the Masters, and he is the defending champion in several other marquee events, including the Matchplay itself, the Grand Slam, the Grand Prix, and the Players Championship Finals.
A win in Blackpool would bring him one step closer to that unprecedented collection. Across the arena, Gerwyn Price – known to fans as the "Iceman" – was also making his way back to the final stage.
The Welshman, who has yet to lift the coveted Phil Taylor trophy, secured his place with a 17-10 victory over Gian van Veen, marking his first televised ranking final in three years. The win propelled Price to world No.
4 and reclaimed the Welsh No. 1 spot from Jonny Clayton, a ranking shift Price celebrated as a return to form. Both competitors have been urged to view the upcoming showdown as more than a single match; it represents a clash of ambitions.
Littler has repeatedly spoken about his desire to dominate the sport, to keep adding titles, and, most importantly, to eclipse Phil Taylor’s long‑standing record as world No. 1, a reign that lasted three to four years. "I want to stay dominant, I want to keep winning and winning," he told Sky Sports.
"I want to be at the top and I want to beat Phil's record." Littler’s semi‑final against van Duijvenbode began with an aggressive surge, quickly establishing a 4‑1 lead after an 11‑dart and then a 12‑dart leg. He never relinquished momentum, building an 8‑2 advantage in the second session and delivering a relentless scoring display that left his opponent with little chance to recover. Over the course of the match, Littler recorded seven 180s, twelve 140s, and only three visits that failed to include a treble, all while maintaining a 117.10 average.
Even when he dropped the 11th leg, he rebounded with a series of high‑checkout finishes, including a polished 130 (T20, T20, D5) to close the third session. By the fourth session, Littler was up 16‑4, needing just one more leg to seal his place in the final.
A brief lapse in his double game allowed van Duijvenbode to claw the match back to the 22nd leg, where Littler missed five match darts. Nevertheless, he regained composure, hit back‑to‑back maximums, and after setting up a top finish with a 12‑dart sequence, he finally clinched the decisive leg, sending the Blackpool crowd into a frenzy. Price’s path to the final was equally impressive.
After taking a 4‑1 lead early on against Van Veen, the Welshman weathered a comeback that saw the match tighten to 6‑4. He then launched a series of five consecutive breaks of throw, extending his lead to 10‑7. In the fifth session, Price’s trademark "booyah" celebration rang out after each big dart as he surged ahead, posting an average above 111 and winning four straight legs before sealing the match with a top finish on the 27th leg.
The final, scheduled for later that evening, will be a best‑of‑35‑leg encounter between Littler and Price. It promises to be a historic showdown: a young phenom seeking to cement his place among the greats and a seasoned contender eager to add the Matchplay crown to his résumé. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available through NOW and other platforms. Beyond the immediate drama, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay carries broader implications for the sport’s hierarchy.
A Littler victory would reinforce his rapid rise to the top, potentially positioning him as the next long‑term world No. 1 and challenging Taylor’s legacy. A Price triumph, on the other hand, would mark a significant comeback, solidifying his status as a top‑four player and giving him a coveted major title that has long eluded him.
Fans can also look forward to the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay later that day, featuring defending champion Lisa Ashton and three‑time finalist Beau Greaves, who aims for a third win in four years. The tournament highlights the growing depth and diversity of darts, showcasing talent across genders and generations. As the night approaches, the darts community awaits a clash that could define the next chapter of the sport.
Whether Littler continues his meteoric rise or Price reasserts his dominance, the final will undoubtedly deliver high‑quality darts, intense competition, and a memorable moment in the annals of the World Matchplay.