Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode and booking his place in the World Matchplay final where he will meet Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens. The 23‑year‑old’s numbers were nothing short of spectacular: he posted an average of 110.88, hit sixteen 180s and converted half of his double attempts. Those statistics sit alongside an earlier 113‑plus average and a nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, as well as 109‑point averages in his wins over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals.
Beyond the raw figures, Littler has now amassed £3 million in prize money – a milestone no other PDC player has reached – and he sits a full £2 million ahead of Luke Humphries in the world rankings, securing the No 2 spot. He is also chasing a rare achievement: becoming the first player in a decade to retain the Blackpool title, a feat last accomplished by Michael van Gerwen in 2016. The significance of this Matchplay win extends to Littler’s broader ambition for 2026.
He already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, and he is defending his titles at the Matchplay, the Grand Slam, the Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals. Completing a clean sweep of all major trophies this year would cement his status as the sport’s dominant force. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price – known as the “Iceman” – is making his first appearance in a Blackpool final since 2022 after dispatching Gian van Veen 17‑10. The Welshman’s win lifts him to world No 4 and re‑claims the Welsh No 1 ranking from Jonny Clayton.
Price expressed his delight, saying, “I’m thrilled to be Wales’ number one again. It’s a bit of bragging rights after a year‑and‑a‑half away from the top spot.” Littler’s semi‑final against van Duijvenbode began with an 11‑dart leg, followed quickly by a 12‑dart finish, putting him 4‑1 ahead. He continued to dominate, reaching an 8‑2 lead in the second session, delivering seven 180s, twelve 140s and only three visits without a treble.
His average at that point was a remarkable 117.10. Although he dropped the 11th leg, he rebounded with a 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5) to close the session, finishing just 0.9 points shy of Phil Taylor’s Matchplay record average of 114.99. In the third session Littler surged to a 16‑4 lead, needing only one more leg to seal his place in the final. A brief lapse in his double game allowed van Duijvenbode to claw back a leg, extending the match to the 22nd leg and forcing Littler to miss five match darts.
On the decisive leg he thrilled the crowd with back‑to‑back 180s, set up a tops finish after 12 darts and then hit the winning double, clinching a commanding win. Price’s path to the final was equally impressive.
He opened strongly, taking two early breaks of throw and a smooth 125 checkout in the fifth leg to lead 4‑1. Van Veen fought back to 6‑4, but Price responded with a streak of five consecutive breaks, pushing the score to 10‑7.
In the fifth session Price truly turned up the heat, celebrating each big dart with his trademark “booyah” and averaging over 111. He rattled off four straight legs and finished the match with a decisive 27th leg checkout, securing a 17‑10 victory.
Both players now look ahead to the final, a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown scheduled for the evening of the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay. Littler has spoken of his desire to stay dominant, saying to Sky Sports, “I want to keep winning, stay at the top and break Phil’s record for the longest stretch as world number one.” Price, on his side, is eager to add the coveted Phil Taylor trophy to his résumé and to cement his place among the sport’s elite. The final promises a clash of contrasting styles: Littler’s relentless scoring power and clinical finishing versus Price’s fierce competitiveness and psychological edge.
Fans can catch the live coverage on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30 pm, with the final expected to start around 8.15 pm. For those without a contract, the match will also be streamed via NOW.
In addition to the men’s final, the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay will be broadcast from 1 pm on Sky Sports Action, featuring defending champion Lisa Ashton and three‑time finalist Beau Greaves, who aims for her third title in four years. Overall, the 2026 World Matchplay is shaping up to be a historic event, with Luke Littler on the brink of achieving a clean‑sweep of major titles and Gerwyn Price looking to finally claim the Matchplay crown. The stage is set, the players are ready, and darts enthusiasts worldwide are poised for what could be an unforgettable final.