Luke Humphries captured his second World Grand Prix crown after mounting a sensational comeback to edge out Gerwyn Price 6-4 in a pulsating final at Leicester's Mattioli Arena. The Englishman became the first player ever to reach the Grand Prix final for four consecutive years, and he turned a 3-0 deficit into a six‑set streak, securing his first major title of the season.
From the opening leg, Price asserted his dominance, taking the first set in flawless fashion. He needed only 34 darts to close out the opening set, delivering two 12‑dart finishes and even a perfect 10‑dart leg that saw him break Humphries early.
The former world champion responded with a leg of his own in the second set, but three missed doubles allowed Price to extend his lead, finishing the set with impressive 101 and 82 checkouts and establishing a two‑set advantage. The third set followed a similar pattern.
Price broke Humphries again with a clean 101 finish, while Humphries managed a 109 checkout to stay alive. The Welshman held on long enough to force a deciding leg, but Price clinched the set, pushing his lead to three sets. At this point the match seemed all but over for Humphries, who was staring down a 0-3 hole.
The turning point arrived in the fourth set. With Price on a 130 checkout that landed on the bull, Humphries steadied himself and produced a 105 finish to claim the set, preventing the deficit from widening further. This crucial leg sparked a remarkable run: Humphries won four consecutive sets, capitalising on several missed set darts from Price.
He seized five straight legs in the fifth set, ultimately sealing it and taking the lead for the first time in the match. Humphries' momentum continued unabated. In the sixth set he delivered a flawless 11‑dart leg on his throw, followed by a break of Price's throw and a double‑16 finish to complete a fourth straight set. Price, visibly shaken, managed to level the match by breaking early in the seventh set and sweeping it, but Humphries responded emphatically in the eighth.
He broke Price again and, in a spectacular display of precision, hit a ten‑dart finish to put himself ahead. The ninth set saw Humphries maintain his high standard, racing through the legs without conceding a single dart and finishing with an 11‑dart leg that sealed the victory. Throughout the contest Humphries posted a 93.16 three‑dart average and hit ten 180s, underscoring the quality of his play despite the early setbacks.
In the post‑match interview 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, because if Gezzy goes 4‑0 up then it's game over. Then at 3‑1 I relaxed. 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!" Runner‑up Gerwyn Price, still searching for his first major since the 2022 World Series Finals in Amsterdam, 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 Darts praised Humphries' resilience: "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 offered insight into Price's mindset: "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." With this triumph Humphries joins an elite group as only the fourth player to claim multiple World Grand Prix titles.
The victory also ends a period of major‑title drought for the Englishman, adding £150,000 to his earnings and reinforcing his status as one of the sport's rising stars. Looking ahead, the European Tour swings back into action with the Swiss Darts Trophy (9‑11 October) and the Dutch Darts Championship (16‑18 October). Those events lead 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 sport's pinnacle event, the World Darts Championship, scheduled for 11 December to 3 January at Alexandra Palace, where defending champion Michael Littler will look to retain his crown. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports or via streaming services offering contract‑free access.