Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to a 17-5 triumph over Dirk van Duijvenbode and earning his place in the World Matchplay Darts final where he will meet Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens. The young English star continued to astound analysts with his statistical output, posting an average of 110.88, hitting sixteen 180s and converting half of his double attempts.
Those numbers sit comfortably alongside his earlier feats in the tournament – a staggering 113+ average and a nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, followed by 109‑point averages in victories over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Beyond the raw figures, Littler reached a historic financial milestone, becoming the first player in Professional Darts Corporation history to amass £3 million in prize money. That achievement creates a £2 million gap between him and the second‑ranked Luke Humphries, underlining his rapid ascent to the sport’s elite.
With this final appearance, Littler also aims to become the first competitor in a decade to defend the Blackpool title; the last to achieve back‑to‑back victories was Michael van Gerwen in 2016. Littler’s ambitions extend far beyond a single tournament win.
He is chasing a clean sweep of the major titles available in 2026. He already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, and he enters the Matchplay as the defending champion while also defending the Grand Slam, the Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals. A victory in Blackpool would bring him one step closer to completing that unprecedented haul. On the opposite side of the draw, Gerwyn Price – nicknamed “The Iceman” – returned to the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 after dispatching Dutchman Gian van Veen 17‑10.
The win not only secured his spot in the championship match but also propelled him to fourth in the world rankings, overtaking fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton for the top Welsh spot. Price expressed his delight at reclaiming the Welsh No. 1 position, noting the personal satisfaction of beating a long‑time rival and the boost it gives him heading into the final.
Both players have been vocal about their goals. Littler told Sky Sports, “I want to stay dominant, keep winning, stay at the top and eventually break Phil Taylor’s record for the longest stretch as world number 1.
I want to be the player who holds that spot for three or four years, just like Phil did.” He added that his focus remains on returning the next day to secure another back‑to‑back title. Littler’s semi‑final against van Duijvenbode unfolded in classic, relentless fashion. After an opening 11‑dart leg and a swift 12‑dart follow‑up, he surged ahead 4‑1.
The second session saw him rocket to an 8‑2 lead, delivering a barrage of high scores that left his opponent with little chance. In that stretch, Littler recorded seven 180s, twelve 140s, and only three visits without a treble, while maintaining an astonishing 117.10 average. Although he dropped the 11th leg, he quickly rebounded, finishing the session with a stylish 130 checkout (T20‑T20‑D5).
Even on a night when his performance could be described as his “weakest” of the tournament, he was merely 0.9 points shy of Phil Taylor’s Matchplay average record of 114.99. The third session saw Littler’s momentum accelerate further. He raced to a 16‑4 advantage, needing just one more leg to lock in his place in the final.
A brief lapse in double conversion allowed van Duijvenbode to claw the match back to the 22nd leg, with Littler missing five match darts. In the decisive leg, the crowd roared as Littler hit two consecutive maximums, set up a tops finish after 12 darts and sealed the win with a dominant finish, confirming his spot in the championship match. Price’s path to the final was equally impressive.
After taking a 4‑1 lead over Van Veen in the opening session, the Welshman weathered a brief resurgence from his opponent, who narrowed the gap to 6‑4. Price then unleashed a series of five consecutive breaks of throw, extending his lead to 10‑7. In the fifth session, he truly turned up the heat, celebrating each big dart with his trademark “booyah” and averaging over 111. He rattled off four straight legs and ultimately clinched the 27th and deciding leg with a tops checkout, securing a 17‑10 victory.
The upcoming final, scheduled for later that evening, promises a clash of contrasting styles: Littler’s youthful precision and relentless scoring against Price’s seasoned composure and fiery celebrations. Both men have expressed confidence and excitement, with Price noting, “I’m happy to be Wales’ No.
1 again – it’s about bragging rights and proving I can compete at the highest level.” Beyond the men’s competition, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay weekend also features the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay, broadcast live from 1 p.m. on Sky Sports Action.
Defending champion Lisa Ashton returns to defend her title, while rising star Beau Greaves aims for her third win in four years, adding another layer of intrigue to the event. As the final approaches, fans can tune in to Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m.
and the showdown expected to start around 8:15 p.m. For those without a traditional TV subscription, the match will also be available for streaming via NOW, offering a contract‑free way to watch the drama unfold.
In summary, Luke Littler’s historic run has positioned him on the brink of a potential back‑to‑back World Matchplay triumph, while Gerwyn Price seeks to add another major title to his growing résumé and reclaim the top Welsh ranking. Both players are driven by personal milestones – Littler eyeing the longest reign as world number 1 and Price aiming to cement his status among the sport’s elite. The final promises high‑octane darts, strategic brilliance, and the chance for either competitor to etch their name deeper into the annals of darts history.