Luke Humphries finally put an end to his string of heartbreaks in televised major finals when he staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Gerwyn Price in the World Grand Prix. The Englishman secured his place in history by reaching a record‑breaking fourth straight final at the double‑start event, and after falling behind 3‑0 he rallied to claim six of the next seven sets, sealing a 6‑4 victory over the Welshman. This win at Leicester's Mattioli Arena not only followed his triumph over Price in the 2023 edition but also elevated Humphries into an exclusive club of only four players who have captured the World Grand Prix title more than once.
The prize money for the champion was £150,000. The Leicester triumph marked Humphries' first ranked television major title since his Winmau World Masters win in February 2025, and he expressed relief that his recent run of runner‑up finishes had finally come to an end. "I'm just happy to get one back," he said, reflecting on a season that saw him finish second at the World Grand Prix, the European Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts in 2025, and then start 2026 with runner‑up spots 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 decisive moment came in the final leg when Humphries needed a 105 checkout to avoid a 4‑0 whitewash.
He hit the finish and prevented Price from taking a 5‑4 lead, turning the tide in what became a roller‑coaster battle. "I worked incredibly hard from 3‑0 down, showed a lot of grit and determination," Humphries reflected. "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 4‑3 up. I’m looking forward to taking the trophy home to my son, so he can finally see his dad lift a trophy that isn’t a runner‑up one!" Price, who has not lifted a major title since 2022, suffered his third consecutive runner‑up finish, having also been second at the World Matchplay to Luke Littler and at the World Series Finals to Ross Smith, in addition to three more semi‑final appearances this year. Despite the loss, Humphries praised his opponent, saying, "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." Price opened the match with a blistering 132.62 average in the first set, completing it in just 34 darts and setting a new tournament record for the highest three‑dart set average. Yet, his hopes of adding another World Grand Prix crown to his 2020 victory evaporated as he fell short for the third time. "I don't want to win a major, do I?!" Price told Sky Sports, his voice a mix of frustration and determination.
"It's gutting I lost another one – I'm not bothered, but I am bothered. Luke played brilliantly in the middle part of the game, but I still squandered so many opportunities to put him under pressure. I felt like it was a fantastic game – I thought I played brilliantly, and Luke played brilliantly." Commentator Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports Darts 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 and 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 Price's competitive spirit: "Gezzy tightened up after a great start. He says things in the spur of the moment but the way he competes, he wants it. You can't play like he did this evening if you don't care!
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) before 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), followed by the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace (11 December‑3 January), where Luke Littler will defend his titles.
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