Gian van Veen clinched a dramatic 16‑13 victory over James Wade in Blackpool, earning a place in the World Matchplay semi‑final where he will meet Gerwyn Price. The quarter‑final began sluggishly, with both competitors far from their peak form in the opening phase. Wade, trailing 11‑7, sparked a resurgence by stringing together four successive legs, leveling the match and injecting fresh energy into the contest. As the tension mounted, the quality of play improved markedly.
Both men began to hit high‑scoring checkouts, regularly surpassing the 100‑point threshold. Van Veen, whose overall average for the match settled at a modest 93, managed to quiet the crowd’s disapproval by securing the final two legs, sealing his first appearance in the last four of the tournament. The upcoming semi‑final will present a stern test for the world No.
3. Price entered his quarter‑final against Ross Smith with a 102.78 average and a flawless ten maximums, ultimately prevailing 16‑12. After surrendering a 12‑8 lead, Price rallied with a four‑leg streak to book his first World Matchplay semi‑final since 2022.
The other semi‑final will see defending champion Luke Littler take on Dirk van Duijvenbode, who also reached the last four for the first time. Price’s path to the semi‑final has been impressive. This marks his fourth televised semi‑final of the season, following strong showings at the World Masters, the UK Open, and the Premier League.
In his quarter‑final, Price opened with three legs on throw, then delivered a 117 checkout to hold his second leg. He followed that with a three‑leg surge before Smith responded with a perfect 12‑dart finish. Smith managed a 100 checkout to stay within striking distance, but Price’s relentless scoring and a series of high‑pressure checkouts—including a 121 finish after a 13‑dart break—allowed him to close the match with a 14‑dart finish.
Reflecting on his performance, Price told Sky Sports, "Ross played a decent game as well, so it’s nice to play well when your opponent is also in good form. It gives you confidence going into the next round. When he got back to 12‑12 I thought ‘here we go again’, but I rode off four legs on the bounce. The 91 double‑double got the blood boiling.
I’m thankful I played pretty decent tonight." Van Veen’s quarter‑final against Wade was a roller‑coaster. Both players hovered around a 90 average in the early mini‑sessions.
Van Veen sparked the first breakthrough with a 160 checkout, pushing the score to 9‑6 at the third interval. He then missed a few darts that could have extended his lead, but recovered by winning the next two legs to go 11‑7. Wade, refusing to capitulate, struck a 79 finish on the bullseye to ignite his comeback. Wade seized the subsequent leg and then hit a 121 finish on the bullseye, holding his throw for a fourth straight leg and drawing the match level at 12‑12.
Van Veen responded with a crucial 118 checkout, taking the next leg and then another to go up 14‑12. Wade answered with a 121 finish, breaking back and forcing a tense finish.
Van Veen then hit a 75 checkout to move within a single leg of victory and finally sealed the win with a flawless 13‑dart finish, moving one step closer to a potential world No. 2 ranking.
After the match, a visibly exhausted Van Veen admitted, "It felt very poor! My scoring was terrible. I was lucky James wasn’t scoring as well and my finishing got me through.
A win is a win. The 118 finish was vital. It was a tight battle but I’m glad I got the job done. Hopefully tomorrow I will be a lot better." The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the historic Winter Gardens, with the semi‑finals scheduled as best‑of‑33 legs and the final set for Sunday as a best‑of‑35 showdown.
Defending champion Luke Littler will seek back‑to‑back titles against Dirk van Duijvenbode, while Gerwyn Price prepares to meet the newly‑minted semi‑finalist Gian van Veen. 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.
For those who prefer streaming, the darts can be watched via NOW, offering a contract‑free way to stay up‑to‑date with the tournament’s dramatic moments. The semi‑finals promise high‑octane darts, as the world’s elite vie for a coveted spot in the final and a chance to lift the prestigious World Matchplay trophy.