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Luke Littler was at his scintillating best in a 17-5 win over Dirk van Duyvenbode to set up the World Matchplay Darts final against Gerwyn Price at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Littler’s statistics continue to amaze. He came through the competition with an average of 110.88, 16 180 seconds and a 50 per cent success rate in doubles.
Those figures add up to a 113-plus average and nine-darter against Nathan Aspinall and 109 against Nico Springer in the quarter-finals and then Josh Rock.
Not only that, but Littler has now reached £3m in prize money and has a £2m gap between him and world No 2 Luke Humphries.
Littler is looking to become the first player at Blackpool in a decade, with Michael van Gerwen last achieving the feat in 2016.
A matchplay win is also key to his aim to complete a clean sweep of the trophy in 2026. He has already held the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters. He is also defending matchplay, Grand Slams, Grand Prix and Players Championship finals.
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Gerwin Price and Gian van Veen battle it out during their semi-final match at World Matchplay
Meanwhile, ‘Iceman’ Price, who has never lifted the Phil Taylor trophy, returned to the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 when he was beaten 18-14 by Michael van Gerwen.
This is his first TV ranking final in three years.
While Littler has made more history by becoming the first player to break the £3m barrier, he has more history in his sights, including taking the longest run at world number one since Phil Taylor.
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Luke Little reacts to his World Matchplay semi-final match against Dirk van Duyvenbode.
“I want to be dominant. I want to win and win,” Littler said. Sky Sports.
“I want to be on top and I want to beat Phil’s record.
“I want to beat Phil’s record of three or four years of world no.
“We’ll be back tomorrow and hopefully back.”
Littler works destruction to continue title defense
Littler began his semi-final bout in spectacular fashion and hasn’t slowed down since. After opening with 11 and then 12-dart legs, he quickly found himself 4-1 up.
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Dirk van Duyvenbode scored 146 in the semi-final against Luke Littler
The world number one reached even more ridiculous heights in the second session. When he was up 8-2, he gave Van Duyvenbod no chance for some brutal scoring.
That scoring included seven 180s, 12 140s, just three trebleless visits and an average of 117.10.
‘The Nuke’ dropped the 11th leg but then started getting more in a row, finishing the third session with 130 checkouts (T20, T20, D5). By Littler’s standards, the session was his weakest but still, he was just 0.9 shy of Taylor’s record matchplay average of 114.99.
Littler’s acceleration on the day to collect the Cup meant he led 16-4 at the break, needing a leg to cement his place in another major final.
However, some poor doubles meant Van Duyvenbode pushed the match to the 22nd leg, with Littler missing five match darts.
In that last leg, Littler brought the crowd to their feet with back-to-back maximums and after 12 darts to set tops, he pinned it for a dominant win.
Price regained top spot for Wales and set for matchplay glory
Price booked his place in the World Matchplay Final with a 17–10 win over Gian van Veen.
The win moved Price up to world No. 4 and saw the Welshman reclaim the No. 1 spot from Jonny Clayton.
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Gerwyn Price beats Gian van Veen to reach World Matchplay final
“Johnny Clayton – I’m more than happy to be Wales’ number one – come on,” Price said Sky Sports.
“That’s bragging rights. Clayton was Welsh No.1 for almost a year and a half but I’m back!
“The first six months of this season I played really well.
“I’m happy to reach the final but the ranking, the top four, is one above my friend Johnny.”
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Gerwyn Price reflects on his dominant world matchplay semi-final win over Gian van Veen
It was an early and late surge that helped Price power as Van Veen’s outer ring frustrated both players in the patch. The first session went all the way for the Welshman as he got two breaks in throws and a silky 125 checkout to take a 4-1 lead into the fifth leg.
World No. 3 Van Veen secured the back hit and managed a three-legged spin to bring the score to 6-4. After a run of five consecutive breaks, Price had a 10-7 advantage.
The fifth session is when Price really turns the screw, with his signature ‘buah’ celebration following every big dart. Averaging over 111, Price went four legs in a row and finally took the top spot for the 27th and deciding leg.
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 Luke Littler facing Gerwyn 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.
