Luke Humphries clinched his second World Grand Prix crown in a match that will be remembered for its sheer resilience and high‑octane drama. Facing Gerwyn Price in the final at Leicester's Mattioli Arena, Humphries found himself staring at a 0‑3 deficit before mounting an extraordinary comeback that saw him win six of the next seven sets, ultimately prevailing 6‑4 and securing his first major title of the season. The Englishman made history by becoming the first player ever to reach the World Grand Prix final for four consecutive years.
In the decisive encounter, he posted a 93.16 three‑dart average and hit ten 180s, underscoring the quality of his play. Price, a former world champion, started strongly, seizing the opening set with flawless 12‑dart finishes and a 10‑dart leg that gave him a commanding early lead. Humphries’ turning point arrived in the fourth set. Trailing 3‑0 in the set, he produced a spectacular 105 checkout on a deciding leg, preventing the scoreline from widening further.
That moment sparked a remarkable run of four straight sets for the Englishman. Capitalising on a few missed set darts from Price, Humphries won five consecutive legs, turning the tide and eventually sealing the match. The final was the second time in four years that Humphries had bested Price in a World Grand Prix final, following his 5‑2 triumph in 2023.
This victory awarded him the £150,000 top prize and extended the drought for the Welshman, who is still searching for a TV‑major title since his 2022 World Series Finals win in Amsterdam. Price’s early dominance was evident. He wrapped up the first set in just 34 darts, delivering six perfect darts and a 10‑dart leg that put Humphries under immediate pressure.
The second set saw Price break Humphries early, taking out 101 and 82 to establish a two‑set lead. In the third set, another 101 checkout gave Price a further advantage, while Humphries responded with a 109 finish to stay in contention. The fourth set became the fulcrum of the match. After Price nailed a 130 checkout on the bull, Humphries answered with a 105 finish on the final leg, taking his first set and halting Price’s momentum.
From there, the Englishman surged. He closed out the fifth set with a four‑leg streak and edged ahead in the sixth, despite Price’s respectable 99 and 94 finishes. Humphries then delivered an 11‑dart leg on his throw, breaking Price again and wrapping the fourth consecutive set on double 16.
Price briefly rallied, breaking early in the eighth set and sweeping it, before leading in the ninth. However, two missed set darts cost him the set, allowing Humphries to break back, hit a dazzling 10‑dart leg and then race through the next set in straight legs, finishing with an 11‑dart checkout to seal the championship.
In post‑match comments, Humphries reflected on the significance of the win: "This is really special, getting that barren major run off my back. I think the biggest shot of my career was the 180, 105 outshot in the fourth set – if Gezzy goes 4‑0 up then it’s game over. At 3‑1 I relaxed and kept believing." He added, "I feel I deserved a major.
Maybe I didn’t tonight as Gezzy was maybe the better player but I worked hard and showed grit and determination. A win like that is sweeter than when you win with ease.
I’m looking forward to taking the trophy home to my son so he can see his dad not have a runners‑up one!" Price, still without a major title since 2022, expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic: "I don’t want to win a major, do I?! Luke played brilliantly in the middle part of the game but I still squandered opportunities to put him under pressure, too many opportunities. It was a fantastic game and it was whoever took their opportunities.
I missed quite a few at crucial times. I am gutted to lose another major final but I will get over it – I am bothered!" Veteran commentator Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports praised Humphries’ mental fortitude: "Humphries was in trouble, then a bit more and then a bit more – so 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 reaction: "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." Humphries' triumph places him among an elite group, becoming only the fourth player ever to capture more than one World Grand Prix title. The victory also adds momentum to his season as the European Tour continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy (9‑11 October) and the Dutch Darts Championship (16‑18 October), leading into the European Championship in Dortmund (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 reigning champion Michael Smith will defend his crown. Fans can follow the upcoming events via Sky Sports’ streaming service, which offers flexible, contract‑free viewing options, ensuring that the excitement of professional darts remains accessible to a global audience.