Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode and securing his place in the World Matchplay final where he will meet Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. The young Englishman continued to amaze statisticians with a staggering 110.88 three‑dart average, 16 perfect 180s and a 50% success rate on double attempts throughout the semi‑final. Those numbers sit alongside an even more impressive 113 average and a nine‑dart finish in his earlier win over Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑point averages against Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals.
Beyond the raw figures, Littler has now amassed £3 million in prize money – a milestone no other PDC player has reached – and he sits a full £2 million ahead of Luke Humphries, who occupies the world No 2 ranking. The 25‑year‑old is also chasing a rare back‑to‑back title in Blackpool, a feat last achieved by Michael van Gerwen in 2016, and he hopes to become the first player in a decade to repeat as champion. Littler’s ambitions extend far beyond a single trophy.
He is on course for a historic clean sweep of the major titles in 2026, already holding the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters, while also defending the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals. His drive is evident in his own words to Sky Sports: “I want to stay dominant. I want to keep winning and winning.
I want to be at the top and I want to beat Phil’s record. I want to beat Phil’s record of world No 1 which is three or four years. We come back tomorrow and hopefully go back‑to‑back.” The semi‑final itself unfolded in classic Littler fashion. After opening with an 11‑dart leg and then a 12‑dart leg, he surged ahead to a 4‑1 lead.
The second session saw him explode to an 8‑2 advantage, delivering relentless scoring that left van Duijvenbode with little chance. In that stretch Littler recorded seven 180s, twelve 140s, only three visits without a treble and posted a 117.10 average. Although he slipped in the 11th leg, he quickly recovered, finishing the session with a stylish 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5). Even on what he considered his "weakest" session, he was merely 0.9 points shy of Michael Taylor’s Matchplay record average of 114.99.
Littler’s momentum continued into the third session, where he built a commanding 16‑4 lead. A brief lapse in double accuracy allowed van Duijvenbode to claw the match back to the 22nd leg, and Littler missed five match darts. In the decisive leg he thrilled the crowd with back‑to‑back maximums, set up the final double after just 12 darts and sealed the win with composure. On the opposite side of the draw, Gerwyn Price earned his final spot by defeating Gian van Veen 17‑10.
The Welshman’s triumph lifted him to world No 4 and reclaimed the Welsh No 1 ranking from Jonny Clayton. Price expressed his satisfaction to Sky Sports, saying, “I am more happy to be Wales’ No 1 – come on.
It’s bragging rights. Clayton has been Welsh No 1 for about a year‑and‑a‑half but I am back! The first six months of this season I have been playing really well. To reach a final I am happy but the ranking, top four, one up on my buddy Jonny.” Price’s semi‑final was a tale of two halves.
He surged early, breaking serve twice and hitting a smooth 125 checkout in the fifth leg to lead 4‑1. Van Veen fought back to 6‑4, but Price responded with a run of five consecutive breaks, extending his lead to 10‑7. In the fifth session he turned up the pressure, celebrating each big dart with his trademark “booyah” and averaging over 111.
Four straight legs and a decisive 27th‑leg double‑out secured his place in the final. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final, scheduled for later on Sunday evening, will therefore pit the rising star Luke Littler against the seasoned “Iceman” Gerwyn Price in a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown.
The match promises a clash of styles: Littler’s relentless scoring and surgical double‑play versus Price’s experience, mental toughness and ability to thrive under pressure. Fans can catch the live coverage 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 Sky subscription, the event will also be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free way to watch the drama unfold. Meanwhile, the women’s edition of the World Matchplay will run concurrently on Sunday afternoon, featuring defending champion Lisa Ashton and three‑time finalist Beau Greaves, who aims for a third title in four years. The tournament adds another layer of excitement to a day already packed with high‑stakes darts. As the evening approaches, all eyes will be on Littler, who not only seeks to add another trophy to his burgeoning cabinet but also aims to rewrite history by challenging Phil Taylor’s long‑standing record as world No 1.
Whether he can maintain his extraordinary form against a battle‑hardened Price remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the 2026 World Matchplay will be remembered as a landmark moment in modern darts, showcasing the sport’s next generation of legends.