Luke Littler delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to a 17-5 triumph over Dirk van Duijvenbode and securing 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 fans and analysts alike with a series of eye‑catching statistics.
He posted an average of 110.88, launched sixteen 180s and hit doubles at a 50 percent success rate, underscoring his relentless scoring power and clinical finishing. These numbers sit comfortably alongside his earlier exploits in the tournament: an average exceeding 113 and a nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109‑point averages in victories over Niko Springer and Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Such consistency has propelled Littler into a historic financial milestone – he has now amassed £3 million in prize money, becoming the first player in PDC history to cross that threshold.
The earnings gap between him and world number two Luke Humphries stands at roughly £2 million, highlighting the rapid ascent of the 23‑year‑old. Littler is also chasing a rare back‑to‑back Matchplay crown, a feat not achieved in a decade since Michael van Gerwen repeated his 2015‑16 success. A repeat win would cement his status as the dominant force in Blackpool and add another jewel to an already glittering collection of titles.
He currently holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, and he is defending the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals – a clean‑sweep ambition for 2026 that would be unprecedented. On the opposite side of the draw, Gerwyn Price – often dubbed "The Iceman" – is making his first appearance in the Blackpool final since 2022 after dispatching Dutch youngster Gian van Veen 17‑10. The victory lifts Price back into the world top‑four, overtaking fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton for the No.
1 spot in Wales. Price, who has yet to claim the Phil Taylor‑named trophy, expressed his delight at regaining the Welsh ranking, noting that the first half of the season has seen his game click into place. The semi‑finals themselves were a showcase of high‑octane darts. Littler opened the match with an 11‑dart leg, followed immediately by a flawless 12‑dart finish, propelling him to a 4‑1 lead.
He then surged ahead to 8‑2, delivering a barrage of scoring that included seven 180s, twelve 140s and a solitary three‑dart visit without a treble. His average at that point hovered around 117.10, a figure that would have made even the legendary Phil Taylor proud. Though he slipped slightly in the third session, posting a 130 checkout to close the period, his performance remained just shy of Taylor's Matchplay record average of 114.99. Littler's dominance continued into the latter stages.
With a 16‑4 lead, he required only one more leg to clinch the match, but a brief lapse in double accuracy allowed Van Duijvenbode to claw back a leg, extending the contest to the 22nd. Littler missed five match darts before finally sealing the win with back‑to‑back maximums and a decisive finish after 12 darts, sending the Blackpool crowd into a frenzy. Price's route to the final was equally impressive.
After taking an early 4‑1 advantage over Van Veen, the Welshman weathered a brief resurgence from his opponent, who narrowed the gap to 6‑4. Price then responded with a string of five consecutive breaks of throw, establishing a 10‑7 lead. In the decisive fifth session, he turned up the heat, celebrating each big dart with his trademark "booyah" and averaging over 111. Four straight legs and a crucial 27th‑leg checkout secured his place in the championship match.
Beyond the men's competition, the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay weekend also features the fifth edition of the Women's World Matchplay. Defending champion Lisa Ashton will look to retain her title, while rising star Beau Greaves aims for a third win in four years, promising a thrilling showcase of female talent. The final, scheduled for Sunday evening, will be a best‑of‑35‑leg showdown between Littler and Price. Both players have expressed a hunger for more history: Littler wants to extend his reign, break Phil Taylor's record for longest stretch at world No.
1, and add another trophy to his burgeoning cabinet. Price, meanwhile, is eager to finally lift the coveted Phil Taylor trophy and cement his place among the sport's elite. Fans can catch the live coverage on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30 pm, with the final expected to start around 8.15 pm. For those who prefer streaming, the event will also be available on NOW and other platforms without a contract.
The atmosphere in Blackpool promises to be electric, as two of darts' brightest stars collide in what could become a defining moment for both their careers. In summary, Luke Littler's meteoric rise, record‑breaking earnings, and relentless pursuit of back‑to‑back titles set the stage for a historic final against Gerwyn Price, who is equally determined to claim his first Matchplay crown. The showdown will not only decide the 2026 champion but also shape the narrative of darts for years to come.