World Matchplay Darts: Luke Littler closes in Blackpool history as Gerwyn Price notches shock win over world No.1 | Darts News

Garwyn Price is relishing the ‘underdog’ tag in Sunday’s Betfred World Matchplay Final and insists he can get the better of defending champion Luke Littler in Blackpool.

Littler beat Dirk van Duyvenbode 17-5 to reach the final At the Winter Garden, shot a 110.88 average and 16 maximums during another blistering display of scoring.

The world No. 1 has averaged over 109 in all four matches heading into his final and is a firm favorite to claim the first back-to-back wins since Michael van Gerwen, with Littler also on track to post the highest tournament average in history.

With Price in his first major TV final since 2023 and first world matchplay since 2022, the Welshman is confident of derailing Littler’s title challenge.

“When I go into any game I’m the favorite, that’s how I believe and that’s how I prepare,” Price insisted after his win. “I really believe that if I hit my A-game, it doesn’t matter who I play, I win, simple.

“They know if I play my A-game, I’m going to win. Obviously Luke, if he’s even, he knows he can lose. If I have my A-game, I’m fine, I’m going to win.”

Price added: “I’m here to win this tournament. I’m not just here to get to the final and climb the rankings and become number one in Wales – I’m here to win.

“Luke is going to be a huge favorite in the final, but definitely don’t underestimate me!”

Price has lost his last nine matches against Littler, a run going back to the Bahrain Darts Masters in January, although the former world No 1 believes he can improve on Saturday’s 17-10 win over Gian van Veen.

“I’ve been in a big final and I haven’t played anywhere near my best in any of these games,” insisted Price. I know I’ve got a lot more in the tank.

“If it comes out, I’ll take the trophy. If not, I’ll fight straight away.”

‘Something really special to lose me’ – Littler’s eyes More history

Littler closed out the competition with a 13-darter and became the first player in PDC history to reach £3m in prize money, with the teenager now looking to extend his record of winning every TV major title in 2026.

“I’m obviously capable of doing a lot of great things in sports and obviously for myself,” Littler said at his press conference. “As long as I play like this, hopefully I can lift the trophy again.

“You can’t underestimate anybody, never mind the final. As long as me and Gezi (Price) play really well tomorrow, hopefully I can get a win against him.

After his quarter-final win over Ross Smith, Price said he felt ‘some players made it too easy for Littler’, but the 19-year-old believes their game is limited to his opponent’s to beat him.

“I wouldn’t feel that way,” Littler added. “I know every player is going to play at least 10 times better against me than the previous round, because they have to.

“They keep putting up these numbers, game after game, then somebody has to do something really special to beat me. I just have to keep going.”

What next?

Sunday afternoon sees the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay, Live on Sky Sports Action from 1pmLisa Ashton returns as the defending champion and Beau Greaves is looking to win the event for the third time in four years.

The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay Final took place later that evening, with Littler taking on Price in a best-of-35-leg contest.

Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Live coverage begins on Sunday from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with the final starting at around 8.15pm. Stream darts and more great games now.