Gerwyn Price is embracing the role of the underdog as he heads into the Betfred World Matchplay final on Sunday, confident that he can outplay defending champion Luke Littler in Blackpool. The Welshman, who has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, insists that when he hits his "A‑game" the opponent’s reputation becomes irrelevant – the better player on the day will win. Littler’s path to the final was nothing short of spectacular.
He stormed through his semi‑final clash with Dirk van Duijvenbode, posting a crushing 17‑5 victory at the historic Winter Gardens. During that match he posted an astonishing 110.88 average and threw 16 maximums, reinforcing his reputation as one of the sport’s most lethal scorers.
The 19‑year‑old’s performance has already placed him on a trajectory to possibly record the highest tournament average ever seen in a World Matchplay. Price, who is currently world number one, has been equally impressive. He has maintained an average above 109 in each of his four matches leading up to the final, making him the clear favourite to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to retain the World Matchplay title.
His consistency has been a hallmark of his campaign, and he is determined not merely to reach another final but to lift the trophy outright. The Welshman’s confidence is rooted in his preparation and mindset. After his quarter‑final win, Price said, "When I go into any game I'm the favourite, that's the way I believe and that's the way I prepare.
I really believe that if I hit my A‑game, it doesn't matter who I play, I'm winning, simple as that." He added that his focus is on winning, not on ranking points or personal milestones, stating, "I'm in this tournament to win. I'm not here to just make finals and jump up the rankings and get to Wales' number one – I'm here to win." Despite his confidence, Price acknowledges a recent pattern of defeats against Littler. He has lost his last nine encounters with the young English prodigy, a streak that dates back to the Bahrain Darts Masters in January. Nevertheless, Price believes that his own performance in the final can break that run.
He reflected on his own play, saying, "I'm in a major final and I haven't played anywhere near my best in any of these games. I know I've got a lot more in the tank. If that comes out, then I'll lift the trophy. If not, I'll battle right through." Littler, for his part, remains undaunted.
After his semi‑final win he celebrated a 13‑dart finish and became the first player in PDC history to amass £3 million in prize money. He also highlighted his ambition to add another TV major to his growing list of titles in 2026. In his press conference he said, "I'm obviously capable of doing many great things in the sport and obviously for myself. As long as I play like this, then hopefully I can pick up the trophy again.
You can't underestimate anyone, never mind a final. As long as me and Gezzy have a really good game tomorrow, hopefully I can get the win over him." The rivalry between the two has been framed by Price as a test of consistency and mental strength.
He noted after his quarter‑final victory over Ross Smith that some players seem to make the matches too easy for Littler, but he dismissed that notion, emphasizing that each opponent must raise their own level to have a chance. Littler responded by acknowledging the pressure, saying, "I know that every player is going to play at least 10 times better against me than the previous round, because they have to. They've been putting in these numbers consistently, game after game, then someone's got to do something really special to beat me. I've just got to keep going and going." Beyond the men's final, the event also features the fifth edition of the Women's World Matchplay, which kicks off at 1 pm on Sky Sports Action.
Defending champion Lisa Ashton will be looking to retain her title, while Beau Greaves aims for a third win in four years, promising a day of high‑quality darts across both genders. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final is scheduled for the evening, with the best‑of‑35‑leg showdown slated to begin around 8.15 pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event.
Fans can also stream the action through NOW or other platforms without a contract. In summary, the final pits two contrasting narratives against each other: Price, the seasoned world‑number‑one seeking to reaffirm his dominance and break a personal losing streak against a rising star; and Littler, the teenage sensation eager to cement his place in darts history with another major title. Both players have expressed unwavering belief in their abilities, and both have highlighted the importance of playing their best darts when it matters most. As the lights come up in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, the darts world will watch to see whether Price’s confidence in his A‑game can finally overcome Littler’s meteoric rise, or whether the young Englishman will continue his historic run and claim back‑to‑back World Matchplay crowns.