Gian van Veen earned a place in the World Matchplay semi-finals by edging out James Wade 16-13 in a dramatic quarter‑final at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with world No.2 Gerwyn Price. The match began slowly for both competitors, with neither player displaying their usual high‑level form during the opening half. However, the tension escalated when Wade, trailing 11-7, launched a remarkable four‑leg streak that levelled the scores and injected fresh energy into the contest.
As the legs progressed, the quality of play rose sharply. Both men began hitting checkouts that exceeded 100 points, trading impressive finishes that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Van Veen, who posted an average of just 93 points per three darts, managed to silence the occasional boos from the crowd by clinching the final two legs, thereby sealing his first ever appearance in the last four of this prestigious tournament.
Looking ahead, Van Veen will need to raise his performance to match the standards set by his upcoming opponent. Price arrived at the semi‑final after a commanding 16-12 victory over Ross Smith, during which he averaged 102.78 and threw ten maximum 180s. In that quarter‑final, Price recovered from a 12-8 deficit by stringing together four consecutive legs, demonstrating the composure and finishing power that have become his trademark.
Price's run to the semi‑final marks his fourth televised semi‑final of the season, following similar achievements at the World Masters, the UK Open, and the Premier League. His late‑stage scoring surge was particularly decisive against Smith, where he opened with three flawless legs, recorded a 117 checkout in the second leg, and then produced a three‑leg burst from the fourth leg onward. Smith managed to answer with a 12‑dart finish, but Price’s consistency proved too much.
In the subsequent legs, Price continued to dominate, taking a 100‑point checkout to stave off a potential 8-5 hole, before Smith missed a chance to level the match. Price then secured a third break of throw, building a three‑leg advantage. The two players exchanged breaks throughout the session, but Price edged ahead with a fourth consecutive break, only for Smith to respond with a 68 checkout followed by a stunning 13‑dart finish that temporarily levelled the encounter.
Price answered back with another 13‑dart finish and a 121 checkout that featured a bullseye, then proceeded to hit a 91 double‑double to claim an 11‑dart break. He closed the match with a flawless 14‑dart finish, sealing his place in the semi‑finals.
Reflecting on his performance, Price told Sky Sports, "Ross played a decent game, so it’s nice to be playing well when your opponent is also in good form. It gives you confidence going into the next round.
When he got back to 12‑12 I thought ‘here we go again’, but I rode off four legs on the bounce. The 91 double‑double really got the blood boiling.
I’m thankful I played pretty decent tonight." The quarter‑final between Van Veen and Wade was a slower‑moving affair in its early stages, with both players averaging around 90 points per three darts. Van Veen broke the deadlock by hitting a massive 160 checkout, moving ahead 9-6 at the third interval. He then missed a few darts that could have extended his lead, but quickly recovered, taking two legs in a row to go 11-7.
Wade sparked a comeback by hitting a 79 finish on the bullseye, followed by a 121 checkout that allowed him to hold his throw for a fourth straight leg, bringing the match to 12‑12. Van Veen responded with a crucial 118 checkout, winning the next leg and then a second consecutive leg, putting him within one leg of victory.
The Dutchman, known as "The Machine", then hit a 75 checkout before sealing the match with a flawless 13‑dart finish. This win not only moves him one step closer to a potential world No.2 ranking but also showcases his resilience under pressure. After the match, Van Veen admitted to Sky Sports, "It felt very poor!
My scoring was so terrible. I was lucky James wasn’t scoring as well and my finishing got me through.
A win is a win. The 118 finish was vital – the battle was tight but I’m glad I got the job done. Hopefully tomorrow I will be a lot better." The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Gardens, with the two semi‑finals scheduled for Saturday. Both semi‑finals will be played as best‑of‑33 legs, determining who will advance to the Sunday final, which will be contested over a best‑of‑35 format.
Defending champion Luke Littler will seek back‑to‑back titles when he meets Dirk van Duijvenbode, who is also making his first appearance in the last four of this event. Meanwhile, Price will take on the in‑form Van Veen in the first semi‑final.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 7.30 pm on Sky Sports Action and continuing around 9 pm on Sky Sports Main Event. The tournament promises high‑octane darts, dramatic comebacks, and the chance for new legends to emerge as the world’s best compete for the coveted title.