Gerwyn Price is confident he can halt Luke Littler’s quest for a second consecutive World Matchplay crown, warning that several competitors seem to hand the defending champion an unfair advantage. After dispatching Ross Smith 16‑12 in the quarter‑finals at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, the Welshman recorded a 102.78 three‑dart average and sealed the win with a decisive four‑leg surge. This performance set up a semi‑final clash with world number three Gian van Veen, with the victor slated to meet either Littler or Dutch contender Dirk van Duijvenbode in Sunday’s best‑of‑35‑leg final. Price’s path to the last four marks his first World Matchplay semi‑final appearance since 2022, and he believes that the field must raise its level if Littler is to be stopped.
"I think there are a lot of players who could reach that level Luke’s at," Price told reporters after his quarter‑final triumph. "Can anyone match him? I think I can, and I think a few others can as well, but he’s ruthless at the minute – those 109, 110 averages look effortless for him." The Welshman also noted that some opponents appear to play into Littler’s rhythm, effectively making his job easier.
"Sometimes people make it a little bit too easy for him," he added, emphasizing that darts is a game of timing and strategy: "You have to play your own game, you have to seize the moments, and you can’t just hand the advantage away." Price’s own recent form has been impressive. He posted a 109.57 average in his victory over Josh Rock, reinforcing his status as the world number one and the overwhelming favourite to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to retain the World Matchplay title.
Yet Price remains cautious, acknowledging that his own performance was not flawless. "I built a solid 12‑8 lead over Ross, but I let it slip to 12‑12 before finishing strongly," he reflected.
"I was delighted with most of the game, but I wasted a few legs that could have cost me later. I should have been 13‑7 or 14‑6 – I’m happy to win, but a bit frustrated with the missed chances." On the other side of the draw, Gian van Veen admitted his quarter‑final win over James Wade was far from perfect. Van Veen, who edged Wade 16‑13, posted a modest 93 average and even blew a four‑leg lead before finally clinching the match.
"It felt very poor," he said to Sky Sports. "My scoring was terrible, and I was lucky James wasn’t scoring as well. The 118 finish was crucial – I needed it. It was a tight battle, but I got the job done.
I hope to be much better tomorrow." Littler, the defending champion, has already demonstrated his dominance this tournament, having beaten Price in every Premier League encounter between them this season and prevailing in a dramatic final‑set decider in the World Masters semi‑finals. He remains unbeaten in PDC major matches that extend beyond 20 legs since his loss in the 2024 World Championship final, underscoring his consistency at the highest level. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues to unfold at the iconic Winter Gardens, with the two semi‑finals played as best‑of‑33 legs to determine who will contest the best‑of‑35‑leg final on Sunday. Littler will face Dirk van Duijvenbode, while Price meets van Veen.
The tournament has already produced several memorable moments, including high averages, sudden‑death finishes, and the occasional lapse in concentration that has allowed underdogs to threaten the established order. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and moving to Sky Sports Main Event around 9 pm.
For those preferring streaming, the NOW platform offers live darts alongside a broader selection of top‑level sport. As the weekend progresses, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Price can finally break through and stop Littler’s momentum, or if the young Englishman will secure back‑to‑back titles and join the elite few who have defended the World Matchplay successfully.
The semi‑finals promise high‑quality darts, strategic battles, and the ever‑present possibility of an upset, making the final showdown a must‑watch event for any darts enthusiast.