Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to a 17-5 triumph over Dirk van Duijvenbode to book his place in the World Matchplay final where he will meet Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens. The young English star continued to astonish analysts with a staggering 110.88 three‑dart average, a tally of sixteen 180s and a flawless 50 percent conversion on doubles throughout the semi‑final. These numbers sit alongside his earlier feats in the tournament – an average exceeding 113 and a nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑average victories over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals – underscoring a run that has been nothing short of dominant.
Beyond the immediate match statistics, Littler reached a historic financial milestone, becoming the first player in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) history to amass £3 million in prize money. The achievement creates a £2 million gap between him and his nearest rival, Luke Humphries, who sits at world number two. Littler now eyes a rare back‑to‑back World Matchplay title – a feat not accomplished in a decade, the last being Michael van Gerwen’s consecutive wins in 2015 and 2016. The significance of a Matchplay victory extends far beyond a single trophy.
It is a crucial component of Littler’s ambition to complete a clean sweep of the major PDC titles in 2026. He already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, and he enters Blackpool as the defending champion of the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals. A win would bring him one step closer to that unprecedented collection. Across the arena, Gerwyn Price – nicknamed “The Iceman” – also secured his final berth with a 17-10 win over Dutch rising star Gian van Veen.
The Welshman, who has yet to capture the Phil Taylor‑named trophy, returned to a Blackpool final for the first time since 2022. His victory lifts him to world number four and reclaims the Welsh number‑one ranking from Jonny Clayton, a position Price celebrated as a matter of national pride.
Both finalists are aware of the broader narrative at stake. Littler, already a record‑breaker, has set his sights on surpassing the legendary Phil Taylor’s reign as world number one – a stretch of three to four years that remains the benchmark for dominance in the sport. He told 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. We come back tomorrow and hopefully go back‑to‑back." Price, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction at regaining the Welsh top spot, saying, "I am more happy to be Wales' No 1 – come on. It’s bragging rights. 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, is great." The semi‑finals themselves were a showcase of high‑octane darts. Littler opened with an 11‑dart leg, followed by a flawless 12‑dart finish, quickly establishing a 4‑1 lead. In the second session he surged to 8‑2, delivering seven 180s, twelve 140s and maintaining a near‑perfect average of 117.10.
Although he slipped a leg at 11‑11, he rebounded with a spectacular 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5) to close the session. Even on what he described as his "weakest" session, his average was just 0.9 points shy of Phil Taylor’s Matchplay record of 114.99. Littler’s momentum continued into the third session, where he built a commanding 16‑4 lead. A brief lapse in double conversion allowed Van Duijvenbode to claw back a leg, extending the match to a tense 22nd leg in which Littler missed five match darts.
He ultimately broke the deadlock with back‑to‑back maximums, set up a tops finish after 12 darts and sealed the victory with composure, confirming his place in the final. Price’s path to the final was equally compelling. He opened strongly, taking two early breaks of throw and a silky 125 checkout to race to a 4‑1 advantage.
Van Veen fought back, narrowing the gap to 6‑4, but Price responded with a flurry of five consecutive breaks, extending his lead to 10‑7. In the decisive fifth session, Price’s trademark "booyah" celebration echoed after each big dart as he averaged over 111, stringing together four straight legs and ultimately clinching the 27th leg to lock in his final spot.
The upcoming final, scheduled for Sunday evening, promises a clash of contrasting styles – Littler’s youthful precision and relentless scoring versus Price’s seasoned power and psychological edge. 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 men’s final, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay weekend also features the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay. Defending champion Lisa Ashton will look to retain her title, while Beau Greaves aims for a third triumph in four years, highlighting the growing depth and excitement across both genders in professional darts.
In summary, Luke Littler’s historic run has placed him on the cusp of a career‑defining achievement, while Gerwyn Price’s resurgence adds a compelling narrative of redemption and national pride. Their impending showdown will not only decide the 2026 World Matchplay champion but also shape the trajectory of the sport’s elite hierarchy for years to come.