Gerwyn Price is confident that he can disrupt Luke Littler's attempt to retain his World Matchplay crown and has warned that certain competitors are inadvertently making the job easier for the defending champion. After a commanding 16-12 victory over Ross Smith at the Winter Gardens, Price secured his first semi‑final appearance at the tournament since 2022. In that match he posted a 102.78 three‑dart average and sealed the win with a decisive four‑leg streak, showcasing why he remains a formidable force on the circuit.
The Welshman now prepares to meet world number three Gian van Veen in the semi‑finals. The winner of this encounter will advance to the final, where they will face either the prodigious Luke Littler or the experienced Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown on Sunday. The event, broadcast live on Sky Sports and streamed via NOW, promises high drama as the field narrows. Littler, who has bested Price in every Premier League meeting this season and also edged him out in a nail‑biting World Masters semi‑final, is riding a wave of confidence.
Nevertheless, Price, known as "The Ice Man," remains unbeaten in PDC majors that extend beyond 20 legs since his loss in the 2024 World Championship final. His recent 109.57 average in a win over Josh Rock underscores his elite status, and he is the overwhelming favourite to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to successfully defend a World Matchplay title.
Yet Price insists that his dominance can be halted. "I think there's a lot of players that can get to that [Littler's] level," Price told reporters after his quarter‑final triumph.
"Is there anyone who can do it as well as him? I think I can, and I think there are a couple of players who can, but he's ruthless at the minute – those 109, 110 averages look so easy for him." He added a thoughtful observation about the nature of competition: "I think some players play into his hand and just let him play with his rhythm. It's horses for courses, and sometimes you have to play your game, you have to play the moments.
Sometimes, people make it a little bit too easy for him." This comment reflects a broader strategic insight: opponents who fail to disrupt his flow may unintentionally hand him an advantage. Price's quarter‑final against Smith saw him build a solid 12‑8 lead, threatening to pull further ahead.
Although Smith fought back to level the match at 12‑12, Price recovered his composure and finished strongly to clinch the semi‑final berth. Reflecting on his performance, Price said, "I was delighted with the way I played the majority of the game, but there were a couple of legs I let slip that could have come back to haunt me. I was thinking I should be 13‑7 or 14‑6 because I wasted opportunities, but I'm just happy to get the win, even if I'm a bit frustrated." Van Veen, meanwhile, acknowledged that his own game needs refinement after a hard‑fought 16‑13 quarter‑final victory over James Wade, in which he posted a modest 93 average and even blew a four‑leg advantage before closing out the match. "It felt very poor!
My scoring was terrible. I was lucky James wasn't scoring as well, and my finishing got me through.
The 118 finish was crucial. It was a tight battle, but I'm glad I got the job done. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be a lot better," he admitted to Sky Sports.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues to unfold at the iconic Winter Gardens, with the semi‑finals being contested over a best‑of‑33 format to determine the finalists for Sunday's best‑of‑35 climax. Defending champion Littler is set to face Dirk van Duijvenbode, marking his first appearance in the last four of this event, while Price will take on Van Veen in the other semi‑final. The stakes are high. Littler is chasing back‑to‑back titles, a rare achievement that would cement his status among the sport's elite.
Price, on the other hand, is looking to prove that his recent form is not a flash in the pan and that he can thwart the young Englishman's momentum. Van Veen aims to cement his rising reputation by overcoming a seasoned champion, while van Duijvenbode hopes to capitalize on his experience to upset the defending champion. 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 an accessible way to watch the drama unfold.
As the semi‑finals approach, the darts community watches with anticipation, eager to see whether Price can indeed make life harder for Littler, or whether the young star will continue his impressive run and claim a historic consecutive World Matchplay triumph.