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 historic Winter Gardens. The young English star once again proved why he is being hailed as a generational talent, posting a staggering 110.88 three‑dart average, hitting sixteen 180s, and converting half of his double attempts. Those numbers sit comfortably alongside his earlier feats this tournament – an average above 113 and a perfect nine‑dart leg against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑point averages in victories over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Beyond the raw statistics, Littler has now amassed £3 million in prize money, a milestone no other player in the Professional Darts Corporation has reached.
The financial gap between him and his nearest rival, Luke Humphries, now stands at roughly £2 million, underscoring his rapid ascent to the summit of the sport. With his sights set on becoming the first player in a decade to defend the Blackpool title – the last to achieve back‑to‑back victories was Michael van Gerwen in 2016 – Littler is intent on cementing his legacy. His ambition extends further.
The 2026 season presents an unprecedented opportunity for a clean sweep of major trophies. So far he already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters. He is also the defending champion of the Matchplay, the Grand Slam, the Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals.
Achieving all of those titles in a single calendar year would place him alongside the sport’s all‑time greats. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price, often nicknamed "The Iceman," is making his own statement. The Welshman, who has yet to capture the Phil Taylor‑named trophy, booked his final berth with a 17‑10 win over Gian van Veen, marking his first appearance in the Blackpool final since 2022. The victory also propelled Price to world number four and reclaimed the Welsh number‑one ranking from Jonny Clayton.
Both competitors have been vocal about their goals. Littler told Sky Sports, "I want to stay dominant, keep winning and eventually break Phil Taylor's record for the longest run at world number one. I want to be at the top and defend my titles, hopefully back‑to‑back in Blackpool." Price echoed the sentiment, saying, "I'm thrilled to be Wales' number one again.
The first half of the season has been strong and reaching another final shows we are back on track." Littler's semi‑final against Van Duijvenbode was a showcase of relentless scoring. After an early 11‑dart leg and a 12‑dart leg, he surged to a 4‑1 lead.
The second session saw him extend the margin to 8‑2, delivering seven 180s, twelve 140s and maintaining an average of 117.10. Even when he slipped in the 11th leg, he quickly recovered, finishing the session with a stylish 130 checkout (T20‑T20‑D5).
Although that session was technically his lowest of the night, his average was still just 0.9 points shy of Phil Taylor's Matchplay record of 114.99. The third session was a display of sheer dominance. Littler raced to a 16‑4 lead, needing only one more leg to seal his place in the final.
A brief lapse in double conversion allowed Van Duijvenbode to force a 22nd leg, during which Littler missed five match darts. Nevertheless, he regained composure, hitting back‑to‑back 180s, setting up a top finish after 12 darts, and finally clinching the match with a decisive checkout that sent the Blackpool crowd into a frenzy.
Price's path to the final was equally compelling. He opened strongly, breaking Van Veen's throw twice and delivering a smooth 125 checkout in the fifth leg to lead 4‑1. Though Van Veen fought back to 6‑4, Price responded with a remarkable run of five consecutive breaks, pushing the score to 10‑7.
In the fifth session, his trademark "booyah" celebration erupted after each big dart as he averaged over 111, stringing together four straight legs and sealing the match on the 27th leg with a top finish. The upcoming final promises a clash of contrasting styles – Littler's youthful exuberance and surgical precision versus Price's seasoned power and icy composure. Beyond the personal stakes, the match carries broader implications for the sport. A Littler victory would mark the first successful title defence in Blackpool since van Gerwen, while a Price win would underscore his resurgence after a period without major finals appearances.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final is scheduled for later on Sunday evening, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, and the showdown expected to start around 8:15 pm. Fans can also stream the action via NOW or other authorised 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 rising star Beau Greaves, who aims for her third title in four years.
As the darts world turns its attention to Blackpool, all eyes will be on whether Luke Littler can continue his historic run and add another trophy to his rapidly growing collection, or if Gerwyn Price will harness his experience to reclaim glory and further close the gap to the sport's most dominant figures. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the stakes have never been higher.