Luke Humphries has made it clear that his historic achievement of reaching a fourth consecutive World Grand Prix final will amount to nothing unless he can finally overcome Gerwyn Price in Leicester. By beating James Wade 5-3, Humphries became the first player ever to book a spot in the final of this double‑in tournament for four years running, securing his place in the showdown at the Mattioli Arena on Sunday. Last year, "Cool Hand" fell short in the final, losing 6-1 to the teenage prodigy Luke Littler, and earlier this season he suffered a surprising 6-4 defeat to Mike de Decker. This time around, he hopes to replicate his 2023 triumph over Price, when the two former world champions met in a decisive final.
"It has been one of those journeys this year that hasn't been playing sailing," Humphries told Sky Sports, a phrase that captured the turbulent nature of his season. "A few of the years before have felt a lot easier than it has done this year. To make four Grand Prix finals on the trot is super special.
It's history for myself and I'm proud of that but, unless I pick that trophy up, unfortunately that history doesn't mean anything. I've come here to win it.
If I win the trophy, I'll look back at the history and think that's amazing." Humphries’ résumé over the past months has been a mix of near‑misses and solid performances. Since clinching the Premier League title in May 2025, he has been runner‑up in several high‑profile televised events, including the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts in 2025, and this year's Premier League final. Those defeats have left a lingering desire to turn the tide and claim the ultimate prize. "The way I haven't been playing hasn't been the best, but the way I've bounced back and performed in that way is great," Humphries added.
"I've got to do it again tomorrow because there are so many major finals I've let slip. I don't think I was far from my best. The scoring was pretty decent and the doubling in was good.
I felt like that was the most controlled, consistent performance I've put in for a long time. The last time I felt like that was maybe the Premier League final against Luke Littler. It's been a long time since I've felt that control and not like I was going to flounder a little bit." He also praised his rival, saying, "Gezzy [Price] is playing well but if I play like that again, it's going to be a cracking game and I hope it is. I'm going to come back tomorrow [Sunday] fresh and believe I can do that again and play even better." Gerwyn Price, the 2020 world champion, is also eyeing his fourth World Grand Prix final, his first since losing to Humphries in 2023.
In his semi‑final, the Welshman overcame Nathan Aspinall 5-2, though not without a few tense moments. "Nathan [Aspinall] was complaining about the crowd but they were on his side," Price explained to Sky Sports. "I'm 3-0 up and I go back and say to Nathan 'they're on your side bud, come on.
Stop performing on the board and just play darts'. I was a little bit upset with him.
As good as the crowd is for me, they were all for him. He's performing a little bit on stage and I told him I wasn't happy. I'm great friends with Nathan but sometimes you've just got to let your darts go – when you're losing you're losing." He continued, "I was frustrated 90 per cent of that game and it's not good.
I think it was a bit of a poor game, it was up and down. In patches, I'm playing well. When my game is there, I'm playing some of the best stuff in the world.
I'm here to win trophies and money, but I'm into another final, third one on the bounce – happy days!" Former professional Wayne Mardle weighed in, noting the psychological edge Humphries appears to have gained. "He feels that that was somewhere near his best and that's confidence.
I don't think Gezzy was at all impressive tonight. I know he won, I just feel that Luke going into that final now will obviously fancy it. I think it's really impressive the way that he has actually had to play better and did play better in the two games he's had to do it – putting those bad performances behind him and not worrying about them is growth." Mardle also pointed out that both competitors have shown inconsistency, but that does not diminish the excitement surrounding a potential clash. "It's easy to look back and think that Luke's been inconsistent, but so has Gezzy, to a point.
Who was the star of the opening round? It was Price.
He played fantasticly but, since then, he hasn't reached those heights – it doesn't mean that he can't again. What we both want, what we all want, is for the pair of them to come out guns blazing. Then we could have a brilliant final on our hands – I just hope it works out that way." The final promises a high‑stakes encounter between two of darts' most compelling personalities.
Humphries wants to cement his place in history by finally securing the title that has eluded him despite four straight final appearances. Price, meanwhile, seeks redemption and a chance to add another major trophy to his cabinet after a season of mixed results. Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports Main Event from 8 p.m.
on Sunday, with streaming options available via NOW for those without a traditional TV subscription. The showdown between Humphries and Price is expected to deliver a dramatic conclusion to a tournament that has already produced a blend of record‑breaking runs and surprising upsets, setting the stage for a memorable finale in Leicester.