Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance in Blackpool, cruising to a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode to book his place in the World Matchplay final against Gerwyn Price at the iconic Winter Gardens. The young English prodigy once again proved why he is being hailed as a future legend of the sport, posting a staggering 110.88 three‑dart average, hitting sixteen 180s and converting half of his double attempts.
These numbers sit comfortably alongside his previous feats – a 113‑plus average and a perfect nine‑dart leg against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑average wins over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Littler’s financial milestones are equally impressive. By reaching this stage he has amassed £3 million in prize money, becoming the first player in PDC history to cross that barrier. The gap between him and world No.
2 Luke Humphries now stands at roughly £2 million, underscoring his rapid ascent. A further piece of history is within reach. No one has defended the Blackpool title in back‑to‑back years for a decade; Michael van Gerwen last achieved the feat in 2016.
Littler is determined to become the first to repeat the triumph since then, and he has already set his sights on a clean sweep of major trophies in 2026. He currently holds the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters titles, and he will be defending the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals later this season. Meanwhile, Gerwyn "Iceman" Price, who has yet to claim the Phil Taylor‑named trophy, fought his way back to the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 with a convincing 17‑10 win over Dutch contender Gian van Veen. The victory lifts Price to world No.
4 and re‑establishes him as Wales’ top‑ranked player, overtaking Jonny Clayton after a year‑and‑a‑half spell at the summit. Both semi‑finals were broadcast live on Sky Sports, with additional coverage available via streaming platforms for viewers without a contract. The women's edition of the World Matchplay also took place on the same weekend, featuring defending champion Lisa Ashton and three‑time finalist Beau Greaves.
Littler’s semi‑final against van Duijvenbode began in dominant fashion. After opening with an 11‑dart leg followed by a flawless 12‑dart finish, he surged ahead 4‑1. The momentum never waned; by the end of the first session he was leading 8‑2, delivering relentless scoring bursts that left his opponent with little chance to recover.
In that period Littler recorded seven 180s, twelve 140s, and only three visits without a treble, while maintaining a 117.10 average. Although he slipped a leg at 11‑11, Littler quickly rebounded, closing the third session with a stylish 130 checkout (T20‑T20‑D5).
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. By the time the second session concluded, Littler was up 16‑4 and needed a single leg to seal his place in the final. A brief hiccup occurred when van Duijvenbode forced a comeback, pushing the match to a 22nd leg after Littler missed five match darts.
In the decisive leg, Littler thrilled the crowd with two consecutive maximums, then, after setting up the final double with twelve darts, he hit the winning double to clinch a 17‑5 triumph. Price’s path to the final was equally impressive. After taking an early 4‑1 lead over Van Veen, the Welshman weathered a brief resurgence that brought the score to 6‑4.
He then embarked on a run of five consecutive breaks of throw, extending his advantage to 10‑7. In the fifth session, Price’s signature "booyah" celebration punctuated a series of high‑scoring legs; he averaged over 111, captured four legs in a row and ultimately sealed the match with a decisive 27th leg checkout.
Both finalists have spoken about their ambitions. Littler told Sky Sports, "I want to stay dominant, keep winning, and eventually break Phil Taylor’s record for the longest stretch as world No.
1. I’m aiming for three or four years at the top and hope we can go back‑to‑back in Blackpool tomorrow." Price added, "I’m thrilled to be Wales’ number one again. It’s about bragging rights and getting back into the top four." Looking ahead, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final is set for Sunday evening, with a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown between Littler and Price. Live coverage will begin at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with the final expected around 8:15 pm.
Fans can also stream the action via NOW or other authorized platforms. Beyond the immediate clash, the broader narrative this season revolves around Littler’s quest to become the first player in a decade to retain the Blackpool crown, and to amass a record‑breaking tenure as world No. 1.
If he succeeds, he will join the elite ranks of Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and other legends who have dominated the sport for extended periods. For Price, the final offers a chance to finally lift the coveted Phil Taylor trophy and cement his status as one of the game’s premier competitors. Regardless of the outcome, the Blackpool final promises high drama, exceptional skill and another chapter in the evolving story of modern darts.
The world will be watching as two of the sport’s brightest stars vie for one of its most prestigious titles.