Gerwyn Price is confident he can halt Luke Littler’s attempt to retain his World Matchplay crown and has suggested that several opponents are inadvertently making life easier for the defending champion. In the latest round at Blackpool’s historic Winter Gardens, Price secured his first World Matchplay semi‑final appearance since 2022 by edging out Ross Smith 16‑12.
The Welshman, nicknamed the “Ice Man,” posted an impressive 102.78 three‑dart average and sealed the match with a decisive four‑leg streak that left Smith scrambling for answers. Having dispatched Smith, Price now meets world number three Gian van Veen in the quarter‑finals.
The winner of that clash will move on to face either the teenage sensation Luke Littler or the seasoned Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in Sunday’s best‑of‑35‑leg final. Littler has enjoyed a dominant head‑to‑head record against Price this season, winning every Premier League encounter and even prevailing in a tense final‑set decider at the World Masters semi‑finals.
Despite this, Price remains unbeaten in PDC major matches that extend beyond 20 legs since his defeat in the 2024 World Championship final, and he is widely tipped as the favorite to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to successfully defend a World Matchplay title. Price’s own recent form underlines that status – he averaged a staggering 109.57 in his victory over Josh Rock – yet he insists that Littler is not invincible.
After his quarter‑final win, Price told reporters, “I think there are a lot of players who can reach that level that Luke is at. Is there anyone who can do it as long as him?
I think I can, and I think there are a couple of players who could, but he’s ruthless at the minute – those 109, 110 averages just look so easy for him.” He added, “Sometimes, people play into his hand and just let him play with his rhythm. It’s horses for courses, and sometimes you have to play your game, you have to play the moments.
Sometimes, people make it a little bit too easy for him.” Price’s own journey to the last four was not without drama. He built a commanding 12‑8 lead over Smith in the quarter‑final, only to see the match level at 12‑12 before re‑asserting control to clinch the win. Reflecting on the performance, Price said, “I was delighted with the way I played the majority of the game, but there were a couple of legs that I let slip and could have come back to haunt me in the end.
I keep thinking I should have been 13‑7 or 14‑6 because I wasted opportunities. I’m just happy to get a win, but I’m a little frustrated.” On the other side of the draw, Gian van Veen admitted his own quarter‑final against James Wade was a learning experience. Van Veen edged the Englishman 16‑13, posting a modest 93 average and even squandering a four‑leg advantage before finally closing out the match.
“It felt very poor,” he confessed to Sky Sports. “My scoring was terrible.
I was lucky James wasn’t scoring as well and my finishing got me through. The 118 finish was crucial – I really needed it.
It was a tight battle but I’m glad I got the job done. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be a lot better.” The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues to unfold at the iconic Winter Gardens, with the two semi‑finals contested over a best‑of‑33 format to determine the finalists for Sunday’s best‑of‑35 showdown. Defending champion Littler will attempt to secure back‑to‑back titles when he meets Dirk van Duijvenbode, marking his first appearance in the last four of this event.
Meanwhile, Price will take on van Veen in the opening semi‑final, setting up a potential clash of the sport’s biggest names. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning Saturday at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and around 9 pm on Sky Sports Main Event. For those preferring streaming, the darts can be watched via NOW, which offers a contract‑free option. The narrative surrounding this year’s World Matchplay is one of rivalry, ambition, and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat.
Price’s assertion that some players “make it too easy” for Littler underscores a broader tactical debate: whether opponents should attempt to disrupt a champion’s rhythm or stick to their own game plan and hope for a lapse. As the semi‑finals approach, the pressure will mount for all four competitors.
Littler, only 19, has already demonstrated a poise beyond his years, but the experience of veterans like Price and van Duijvenbode cannot be dismissed. Price’s blend of precision scoring and strategic composure makes him a formidable obstacle, while van Veen’s resilience after a shaky quarter‑final suggests he can adapt under pressure. Ultimately, the final will test not just technical skill but mental endurance.
The best‑of‑35 format demands sustained concentration, and any lapse can be costly. Whether Price’s confidence in stopping Littler will translate into a decisive semi‑final win, or whether Littler’s youthful momentum will carry him through to another title, remains to be seen.
The stage is set, the darts are primed, and the world will be watching as the 2026 World Matchplay reaches its climax.