Luke Humphries clinched his second World Grand Prix crown after engineering a spectacular turnaround to beat Gerwyn Price 6-4 in a pulsating final at Leicester's Mattioli Arena. The Englishman, who made history by becoming the first player to reach the Grand Prix final for four consecutive years, found himself staring at a 3-0 deficit before unleashing a torrent of high‑scoring darts that saw him capture six of the next seven sets and secure his first major title of the season. From the outset, Price dominated, dispatching the opening set in just 34 darts with flawless 12‑dart holds and a dazzling 10‑dart finish that left the crowd buzzing. He continued his on‑fire form into the second set, breaking Humphries early and adding two more finishes of 101 and 82 to extend his lead to two sets.
By the time the third set rolled around, Price was in full control, again breaking his opponent with a 101 checkout and sealing the set after Humphries managed a solitary 109 finish to stay in contention. Humphries’ fortunes began to shift in the fourth set. After Price nailed a 130 checkout on the bull, Humphries responded with a decisive 105 finish to claim his first set, a moment he later described as the turning point of the match. The Englishman then embarked on a four‑leg streak that saw him close the fifth set and edge ahead in the sixth, while Price managed only modest 99 and 94 finishes before Humphries broke back and wrapped up the set.
The momentum swing became unmistakable when Humphries produced an 11‑dart leg on his throw, followed by a break in the next leg and a flawless double‑16 finish to complete a fourth consecutive set. Price managed to level the match by breaking early in the eighth set and sweeping it, but Humphries answered back in the ninth with a crucial break and an extraordinary 10‑dart finish that put him ahead once more. In the final two sets, Humphries was relentless.
He raced through the tenth set in straight legs, then sealed the championship with an 11‑dart finish that left the arena roaring. The victory not only earned him the £150,000 top prize but also made him only the fourth player ever to claim multiple World Grand Prix titles, ending the long wait for another TV major for the "Ice Man". After the win, Humphries reflected on the significance of the triumph: "This is really special, finally breaking the barren major run. The biggest shot of my career was that 180 followed by a 105 checkout in the fourth set.
When Gezzy went 4‑0 up, it felt like the game was over, but at 3‑1 I relaxed and found my rhythm. I feel I deserved a major.
Maybe I didn’t play the best darts tonight – Price was probably the better player at times – but I worked hard, showed grit and determination. A win like this is sweeter than an easy victory. I can’t wait to bring the trophy home for my son so he sees his dad not as a runner‑up!" Price, who has not lifted a major since his 2022 World Series Finals win in Amsterdam, expressed his disappointment: "I don’t want to win a major, do I?! Luke played brilliantly in the middle part of the game but I squandered too many chances to put pressure on him.
It was a fantastic match and whoever took their opportunities won. I missed crucial darts and I’m gutted to lose another major final, but I’ll get over it – I’m bothered, but I’ll bounce back." Veteran commentator Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports Darts praised Humphries’ resilience: "Humphries was in trouble, then a bit more, then a bit more – to turn it around was an incredible effort. The last two sets were his best.
He was under the cosh for more than an hour but didn’t succumb. He stood up to everything Gezzy threw at him, which was a lot!
When you’ve won before, as Luke has many times in many ways, there’s a belief: ‘I’m under pressure, but I know my game can win,’ rather than ‘Oh no, I’m going to lose.’ He played his game and he won." Mardle also noted Price’s reaction: "Gezzy tightened up after a great start. He says things in the heat of the moment but his competitiveness shows he wants it. You can’t play like he did tonight if you don’t care! It’s disheartening to be 3‑0 up and not win, but he’s lost enough finals to know nothing is guaranteed.
He’s still young and will have many more opportunities. He knows he’s good enough." The European Tour circuit continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy scheduled for 9‑11 October and the Dutch Darts Championship from 16‑18 October, leading up to the European Championship in Dortmund, Germany, from 22‑25 October. The next televised major on Sky Sports will be the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, running 14‑22 November, followed by the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace from 11 December to 3 January, where reigning champion Michael Littler will defend his title.
Fans can stay updated on the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract.