Luke Littler delivered an outstanding performance, cruising to a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode and securing his place in the World Matchplay final where he will meet Gerwyn Price at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. The young English star continued to astonish with a staggering 110.88 average, 16 perfect 180s and a 50% success rate on doubles throughout the semi‑final. Those numbers sit alongside an even higher 113 average and a nine‑dart finish recorded against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑point averages in his wins over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals.
Littler's achievements extend beyond the scores on the board. He has now amassed £3 million in prize money, making him the first player in PDC history to cross that milestone, and he sits just £2 million ahead of Luke Humphries in the world rankings, cementing his position as world number two. With a chance to become the first player in a decade to retain the Blackpool title – Michael van Gerwen last accomplished that feat in 2016 – Littler is eyeing back‑to‑back glory.
The Matchplay win is a crucial component of Littler's ambition to complete a 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 his titles at the Matchplay, the Grand Slam, the Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals. The pressure is immense, but Littler remains focused. "I want to stay dominant.
I want to keep winning and winning," he told Sky Sports. "I want to be at the top and I want to beat Phil's record of world No 1 for three or four years.
We come back tomorrow and hopefully go back‑to‑back." The semi‑final itself was a showcase of relentless scoring. Littler opened with an 11‑dart leg, followed immediately by a 12‑dart finish, and quickly surged to a 4‑1 lead. In the second session his momentum accelerated; by the time the score read 8‑2 he was delivering a barrage of 180s – seven in total – alongside 12 visits that scored 140 or more, and only three visits without a treble. He posted a 117.10 average at that stage, a figure that would have terrified any opponent.
Although he slipped in the 11th leg, Littler rebounded, closing the third session with a stylish 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5). Even his "weakest" session was only 0.9 points shy of Michael Taylor's Matchplay record average of 114.99. His dominance continued into the fourth session, where he raced to a 16‑4 lead, needing just one more leg to seal his place in the final. A brief lapse in double‑finishing allowed Van Duijvenbode to force a 22nd leg, and Littler missed five match darts, but he recovered composure, hit back‑to‑back maximums and, after a 12‑dart setup, clinched the decisive leg for a comprehensive win.
On the other side of the draw, Gerwyn Price earned his spot in the final by defeating Gian van Veen 17‑10. The victory lifted Price to world number four and reclaimed the Welsh number‑one ranking from Jonny Clayton.
"I'm more happy to be Wales' No 1 – come on," Price said. "It is bragging rights.
Clayton has been Welsh No 1 for about a year‑and‑a‑half but I am back! The first six months of this season I have been playing really well.
To reach a final I am happy but the ranking, top four, one up on my buddy Jonny." Price's semi‑final was a tale of two halves. He surged early, breaking serve twice and delivering a silky 125 checkout in the fifth leg to race to a 4‑1 advantage.
Van Veen fought back, narrowing the gap to 6‑4, but Price responded with a string of five consecutive breaks, extending his lead to 10‑7. In the fifth session Price turned up the intensity, celebrating each big dart with his trademark "booyah" and averaging over 111.
He rattled off four straight legs and sealed the match with a decisive 27th‑leg checkout. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final, scheduled for later that evening, will pit the 24‑year‑old English prodigy against the seasoned Welshman in a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown.
Both players have expressed confidence and a hunger for further records. Littler is chasing the longest reign at world number one, a record held by Phil Taylor, while Price aims to add the coveted Phil Taylor trophy – which has eluded him so far – to his résumé.
Beyond the men's competition, the fifth edition of the Women's World Matchplay will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Action, featuring defending champion Lisa Ashton and three‑time finalist Beau Greaves. The event underscores the growing depth and diversity of professional darts, a sport that continues to attract new fans through live coverage on Sky Sports and streaming platforms like NOW. As the night unfolds, darts enthusiasts can expect a thrilling climax to a tournament that has already produced historic moments, record‑breaking averages and unforgettable performances. Whether you are watching on television, streaming online, or following the action via Sky Sports' WhatsApp updates, the final promises to be a showcase of skill, determination and the relentless pursuit of greatness.