Luke Humphries finally put an end to his unsettling streak of runner‑up finishes in televised majors by engineering a dramatic comeback win against Gerwyn Price in the World Grand Prix final. The Englishman, who has now reached a record fourth straight final at the double‑start event, clawed his way back from a 3‑0 deficit to claim six of the next seven sets, sealing a 6‑4 victory over the Welshman.
The triumph at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena not only followed his earlier win over Price in the 2023 edition, but also placed Humphries among an elite quartet of players who have captured the World Grand Prix title more than once. The £150,000 first‑place prize marks his first ranked televised major win since the Winmau World Masters in February 2025, ending a long run of second‑place finishes that had begun the previous season. "I’m just happy to get one back," Humphries said, reflecting on a year that saw him finish runner‑up at the World Grand Prix, the European Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts in 2025, before starting 2026 with further second‑place finishes at the Winmau World Masters and the Premier League.
"It feels really special – this really means the world to me. I needed this to give me a bit of confidence. It’s been a torrid 15 or 18 months for me, losing so many major finals." The turning point came in the final‑leg decider when Humphries hit a crucial 105 checkout to avoid falling 4‑0 behind.
Price, who had missed set darts that would have taken him to a 5‑4 lead, watched his momentum evaporate as the match swung wildly. "I worked incredibly hard from 3‑0 down, showed a lot of grit and determination," Humphries added. "These wins are sweeter than the ones you win with ease.
I didn’t want to lose 6‑0 – I wanted to give the fans something to be happy about, and suddenly I found myself up 4‑3." He also spoke about the personal significance of the victory. "I’m looking forward to taking the trophy home to my son, who can finally see his dad lift a trophy that isn’t a runner‑up one!" The emotional weight of the moment was evident, as Humphries finally broke the psychological barrier that had haunted him in major finals for over a year. Price, meanwhile, remains without a major title since his 2022 triumph, suffering a third consecutive runner‑up finish.
He has also been second at the World Matchplay to Luke Littler and at the World Series Finals to Ross Smith, while adding three additional semi‑final appearances in majors this season. Despite the loss, Price praised his own performance: "I opened with a 132.62 average in the first set, finishing in just 34 darts – the best three‑dart set average in tournament history. I don’t want to win a major, do I?! It’s gutting I lost another one – I’m not bothered, but I am bothered." Humphries offered a generous assessment of his opponent’s play.
"Gezzy was amazing for those first three sets, absolutely insane. He is going to win a major title soon – it’s written in the stars for him.
He can’t keep playing this well and not win," he said, acknowledging Price’s high standard despite the defeat. Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle highlighted the resilience displayed by Humphries. "He was in trouble, then a bit more, then a bit more – to get out of it 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 have won before, which Luke has done many times in many ways, there is that belief of, ‘I’m under pressure, but let’s just see as I know my game can win,’ rather than ‘oh no, I am going to get beat.’ He played his game and he won." Mardle also noted the disappointment that can accompany a blown lead. "It is disheartening and disappointing when you are 3‑0 up and don’t win, but he has lost enough finals to know nothing is a given. He is still a young man and will get many more opportunities.
He knows he is good enough." Looking ahead, the European Tour continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy (9‑11 October) and the Dutch Darts Championship (16‑18 October), followed by the European Championship in Dortmund, Germany (22‑25 October). The next televised major on Sky Sports will be the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (14‑22 November), and the season will culminate with the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace (11 December‑3 January), where Luke Littler will defend his title. For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports offers the latest deals and a contract‑free streaming option, ensuring that the drama of darts continues to reach audiences worldwide.