Gerwyn Price is confident that he can derail Luke Littler's attempt to retain the World Matchplay crown and argues that certain competitors are inadvertently giving the defending champion too much breathing room. The Welshman secured his first World Matchplay semi‑final appearance since 2022 by edging out Ross Smith 16‑12 at the historic Winter Gardens. During that match, the "Ice Man" posted a 102.78 three‑dart average and sealed the win with a decisive four‑leg streak at the end. In the next round, Price will meet world number three Gian van Veen in the quarter‑finals, with the victor moving on to face either Littler or Dutch contender Dirk van Duijvenbode in the final, which is slated to be a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown on Sunday.
Littler has enjoyed the upper hand in their head‑to‑head encounters this season, beating Price in every Premier League meeting and also prevailing in a dramatic final‑set decider at the World Masters semi‑finals. Conversely, Price remains unbeaten in PDC major events that extend beyond 20 legs since his loss in the 2024 World Championship final. As the world number one, Price is the overwhelming favourite to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to successfully defend the World Matchplay title. He posted a 109.57 average in his recent victory over Josh Rock, yet he insists that his reign is not guaranteed.
"I think there are a lot of players who could reach Luke's level," Price told reporters after his quarter‑final win. "Is there anyone who can do it as consistently as 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." He added, "Some players seem to play into his rhythm and simply let him dictate the match. It's a case of horses for courses – you have to stick to your own game, manage the moments, and sometimes you end up making things a little too easy for him." Price built a solid 12‑8 lead over Smith in the quarter‑final, threatening to pull further ahead before the match tightened to 12‑12. He ultimately finished strongly to claim the last‑four spot. "I was pleased with how I played most of the game, but there were a few legs I let slip that could have come back to haunt me," Price reflected.
"I kept thinking I should be 13‑7 or 14‑6, because I wasted opportunities. I'm happy to have the win, but there's a touch of frustration." Van Veen, who will face Price, admitted his own performance needed work after a 16‑13 quarter‑final win over James Wade, where he averaged just 93 and even blew a four‑leg advantage before clinching the match.
"It felt very poor," Van Veen told Sky Sports. "My scoring was terrible. I was lucky James wasn't scoring as well, and my finishing saved me. The 118 checkout was crucial.
It was a tight battle, but I got the job done. Hopefully I'll be a lot better tomorrow." The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Gardens on Saturday, with the two semi‑finals contested over a best‑of‑33 format to decide who will advance to Sunday's best‑of‑35 final. 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. Price will take on Van Veen in the other semi‑final.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and around 9:00 pm on Sky Sports Main Event. The tournament also streams via NOW, offering a contract‑free way to watch darts and other top‑level sport. Overall, the weekend promises high‑stakes drama as Price seeks to prove his critics wrong, Littler aims to become the first repeat World Matchplay champion in over a decade, and Van Veen looks to bounce back from a shaky quarter‑final performance. The blend of experience, youthful ambition, and the unique pressure of the Winter Gardens' atmosphere ensures that the final will be a compelling contest for darts enthusiasts worldwide.