Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode and earning his place in the World Matchplay final where he will meet Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens. The young English prodigy continued to astonish observers with a host of eye‑catching statistics.
He posted an average of 110.88, launched sixteen 180s and hit doubles at a 50 percent success rate throughout the match. Those numbers join an already impressive résumé that includes a 113‑plus average and a nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑point averages in wins over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Beyond the raw figures, Littler achieved a historic financial milestone: he became the first player in PDC history to amass £3 million in prize money.
That achievement creates a £2 million gulf between him and his nearest rival, Luke Humphries, who sits second in the world rankings. Littler now has his sights set on becoming the first competitor in a decade to retain the Blackpool title, a feat last accomplished by Michael van Gerwen in 2016. The significance of a Matchplay triumph extends far beyond a single trophy.
Littler is on a quest to complete a clean sweep of major titles 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 unprecedented haul.
Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price – known as the “Iceman” – returned to the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 after a convincing 17‑10 win over Gian van Veen. The Welshman, who has yet to claim the Phil Taylor‑named trophy, used the semi‑final to climb back into the world No. 4 spot and wrest the Welsh No.
1 ranking from Jonny Clayton. Price expressed his delight, saying, “I’m happy to be Wales’ number 1 again – it’s a matter of pride and bragging rights.” Littler’s semi‑final against van Duijvenbode began in dominant fashion. He opened with an 11‑dart leg and followed it with a 12‑dart leg, quickly establishing a 4‑1 lead. The momentum never waned; by the end of the second session he was up 8‑2, delivering relentless scoring that left his opponent with little chance of a comeback.
During that stretch Littler recorded seven 180s, twelve 140s, and only three visits without a treble, finishing the session with a 117.10 average. Even when he slipped in the 11th leg, he rebounded immediately, closing the third session with a stylish 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5). Though he described that session as his “weakest,” his average was still just 0.9 points shy of Phil Taylor’s Matchplay record of 114.99.
The final phase of the semi‑final saw Littler surge to a 16‑4 advantage, needing just one more leg to seal his place in the final. A brief lapse in his double‑finishing allowed van Duijvenbode to force a 22nd leg, during which Littler missed five match darts. Undeterred, he responded in the decisive leg with back‑to‑back maximums, set up the final double after 12 darts and then hit the winning double to clinch a dominant win. Price’s path to the final was equally impressive.
After taking a 4‑1 lead against Van Veen, the Welshman weathered a brief resurgence that brought the score to 6‑4 before re‑establishing control with a run of five consecutive breaks of throw, moving the tally to 10‑7. In the fifth session Price turned up the intensity, celebrating each big dart with his trademark “booyah” exclamation. He averaged over 111, stringing together four straight legs and ultimately sealing the match with a decisive 27th‑leg checkout.
Both finalists now have a clear narrative to pursue. Littler, only 24, is already the youngest player to reach £3 million in earnings and is eyeing the longest reign at world No.
1, a record currently held by Phil Taylor. He told Sky Sports, “I want to stay dominant, keep winning, and break Phil’s record for the longest stretch at world number 1.” Price, on the other hand, is eager to add the coveted Matchplay crown to his résumé and reaffirm his position among the sport’s elite.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final is slated for later on Sunday evening, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, and the showdown expected to start around 8:15 pm. The best‑of‑35‑leg encounter promises high‑octane darts, as both men have demonstrated the ability to produce spectacular scoring, clinical finishing and the mental resilience required for a marquee final.
In addition to the men’s final, the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay will be broadcast live 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, underscoring the growing depth and excitement across both genders in the sport. Fans can follow all the action, analysis and behind‑the‑scenes content via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel, and those wishing to stream darts without a contract can use NOW TV’s sports package.
For the best viewing experience, the platform recommends using the Chrome browser to access the video player. As the stage is set in Blackpool, the darts world will be watching closely to see whether Littler can cement his place in history with back‑to‑back Matchplay titles, or whether Price will finally claim the trophy that has eluded him for years. Either way, the final promises to be a showcase of skill, determination and the relentless pursuit of greatness.