The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam delivered an electrifying conclusion, with England’s Ross Smith emerging as the unexpected champion. Smith triumphed over Welsh powerhouse Gerwyn Price in a thrilling final to claim the prestigious £100,000 title. The tournament was also marked by a major upset as world No. 1 Luke Littler’s unprecedented quest for a clean sweep of PDC majors was dramatically halted in the quarter-finals.
The atmosphere at AFAS Live was electric on Sunday evening as the tournament reached its climax, culminating in a captivating showdown between two of darts’ most formidable competitors. Ross Smith, often an underdog, showcased incredible consistency and nerve to secure his place in the final, while Gerwyn Price demonstrated why he’s a multiple major winner with a commanding performance throughout the event.
The Road to the Final: Semi-Final Showdowns
The semi-finals provided intense drama and high-quality darts:
- Smith Overcomes Crowd and Challenger: In the first semi-final, Ross Smith faced a spirited Gian van Veen, who was backed by a passionate home crowd. Smith, however, remained composed, delivering a more consistent performance to secure an 11-8 victory. He closed out the match on double 10, overcoming an earlier missed match dart to advance.
- Price Dominates Fellow Welshman: Gerwyn Price delivered a masterclass against his close friend and compatriot, Jonny Clayton. Averaging over 104, “The Iceman” was clinical on his doubles, never allowing Clayton to build any significant momentum. Price’s dominant 11-7 win booked his spot in his third World Series Finals final, setting the stage for a mouth-watering clash.
Quarter-Final Shocks and Standout Performances
The afternoon session saw several major upsets and thrilling encounters:
- Littler’s Clean Sweep Dream Shattered: The biggest story of the day was undoubtedly the exit of world No. 1 Luke Littler. The teenage sensation, who was chasing an unprecedented clean sweep of PDC majors in 2026, was comprehensively beaten 10-4 by a clinical Jonny Clayton. Clayton’s superb performance brought an abrupt end to Littler’s perfect major record for the year and set up an all-Welsh semi-final.
- Defending Champion Falls Early: Michael van Gerwen’s title defense ended prematurely in the first round, suffering a narrow 6-5 defeat to Daryl Gurney, much to the disappointment of the local fans.
- Other Key Quarter-Final Results:
- Ross Smith continued his impressive run, defeating Josh Rock 10-7.
- Home favorite Gian van Veen mounted a comeback to edge out Dirk van Duijvenbode 10-8.
- Gerwyn Price showcased his top form with a high-quality 10-7 victory over James Wade, averaging over 103.
The Grand Finale: Smith vs. Price
These gripping matches paved the way for the ultimate showdown between Ross Smith and Gerwyn Price, with both players vying for the biggest prize of the weekend and the coveted title of 2026 World Series of Darts Finals champion. The final promised fireworks, and it delivered, culminating in Ross Smith’s memorable triumph.
Sunday’s Full Results
Quarter-finals (best of 19 legs)
- Ross Smith 10-7 Josh Rock
- Gian van Veen 10-8 Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Gerwyn Price 10-7 James Wade
- Jonny Clayton 10-4 Luke Littler
Semi-finals (best of 21 legs)
- Ross Smith 11-8 Gian van Veen
- Gerwyn Price 11-7 Jonny Clayton
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
