Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance in Blackpool, cruising to a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode and securing his place in the World Matchage Darts final opposite Gerwyn Price at the historic Winter Gardens. The young English prodigy continued to shatter expectations, posting a staggering 110.88 three‑dart average, hitting sixteen 180s and converting half of his attempts at the double. Those numbers sit alongside an earlier 113‑plus average and a nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑average wins over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals, underscoring just how relentless his form has become. Beyond the raw statistics, Littler achieved a historic financial milestone: he became the first player in Professional Darts Corporation history to amass £3 million in prize money.
That achievement places him roughly £2 million ahead of Luke Humphries, who currently sits at world number two. With the Blackpool title now within his grasp, Littler is eyeing a rare back‑to‑back triumph – a feat not seen since Michael van Gerwen repeated in 2016 – and hopes to add his name to the short list of players who have defended the Matchplay crown. The stakes are high for Littler, who is on a mission to complete an unprecedented clean sweep of major trophies in 2026. He already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, and he is defending the Matchplay, the Grand Slam, the Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals.
A victory in Blackpool would bring him one step closer to that lofty goal and cement his status as the sport’s dominant force. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price – known to fans as "The Iceman" – returned to the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 after a convincing 17‑10 win over Dutchman Gian van Veen. The Welshman, who has never captured the Phil Taylor‑named trophy, used the semi‑final to climb back into the world top four, overtaking fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton for the No. 1 spot in Wales.
Price’s confidence was evident as he told Sky Sports, "I’m more happy to be Wales' No 1 – it’s a bit of bragging rights. The first half of the season I’ve been playing really well, and getting to a final feels great, especially moving up the rankings." Price’s semi‑final against Van Veen was a roller‑coaster affair.
He opened strongly, taking two early breaks of throw and a smooth 125 checkout to lead 4‑1. Van Veen fought back to level the match at 6‑6, but Price responded with a blistering run of five consecutive breaks, pushing the score to 10‑7 in his favour. In the fifth session he truly turned up the heat, celebrating each big dart with his trademark "booyah" and averaging over 111.
He closed the match with a decisive 27th leg, sealing his place in the final. Littler’s semi‑final performance was equally impressive.
He started with an 11‑dart leg, followed by a flawless 12‑dart finish, and quickly surged to a 4‑1 lead. By the second session he was up 8‑2, delivering a relentless barrage of 180s – seven in a row – and 140s, while limiting his opponent to just three treble‑less visits.
His average for the night hovered at an astonishing 117.10, only 0.9 points shy of Phil Taylor’s all‑time Matchplay record of 114.99. Although he slipped a leg at 11‑11, Littler recovered, finishing the third session with a stylish 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5). He eventually built a commanding 16‑4 lead, needed just one more leg to clinch the final.
A brief lapse in double conversion allowed Van Duijvenbode to force a 22nd leg, but Littler rebounded, hitting back‑to‑back maximums and a decisive finish after 12 darts to seal a dominant win. Looking ahead, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final promises a clash of contrasting styles: Littler’s youthful precision against Price’s seasoned power. The showdown will be contested over a best‑of‑35‑leg format and is scheduled for the evening of the tournament’s final day, with live coverage on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event beginning at 7.30 pm and the final expected around 8.15 pm. Fans can also stream the action via NOW.
Beyond the men’s final, the weekend will feature the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay, broadcast from 1 pm on Sky Sports Action. Defending champion Lisa Ashton will look to retain her title, while rising star Beau Greaves aims for a third victory in four years, adding another layer of excitement to an already packed darts calendar. In his post‑match interview, Littler summed up his ambitions: "I want to stay dominant, keep winning, and stay at the top.
I want to break Phil Taylor’s record for the longest stretch as world number 1 – three or four years. We come back tomorrow and hopefully go back‑to‑back." If Littler can replicate his semi‑final brilliance in the final, he will not only add another major trophy to his burgeoning collection but also move a step closer to rewriting the sport’s history books. For Price, a win would represent his first World Matchplay crown and a major boost to his quest for a place among darts’ all‑time greats.
The stage is set, the players are ready, and the world will be watching to see who lifts the coveted trophy in Blackpool.