Darts prodigy Luke Littler has stormed into the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final after an absolutely dominant 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode. Littler’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, marking his fourth consecutive match with an average above 109. He is now set to face Gerwyn Price, who also secured his spot in the final with a convincing 17-10 win against Gian van Veen. This highly anticipated final promises a thrilling clash between two of darts’ biggest names, with Littler chasing history and Price aiming for his first World Matchplay title.
Littler’s Unstoppable March to the Final
Luke Littler continued his phenomenal run at the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay, dismantling Dirk van Duijvenbode with an astounding 17-5 victory in Saturday’s semi-final. This win sets up a thrilling showdown with Gerwyn Price in the final.
Littler, often hailed as a darts phenomenon, delivered his fourth consecutive average above 109, achieving a remarkable 110.88. His performance at the Winter Gardens has been a masterclass in consistent, high-level darts.
A Record-Breaking Performance
- Dominant Start: Littler exploded out of the blocks, racing to an 8-2 lead with an incredible 117 average in the first ten legs.
- Big Checkouts: Despite Littler’s dominance, Van Duijvenbode did manage the biggest checkout of the match with a 146 finish.
- Milestones Achieved: Littler became the first player in PDC history to reach £3 million in prize money, a testament to his rapid rise and success.
- Clinical Finishing: He closed out the match with a 13-darter, securing his spot in a second consecutive World Matchplay final.
“I was probably more focused about the highest average, which I shouldn’t have been, but we got the job done and now it’s back-to-back finals,” said the 19-year-old. He recorded the seventh-highest average in World Matchplay history during this semi-final.
Littler’s statistical breakdown reveals his exceptional skill:
- Only nine trebleless visits in 22 legs.
- Smashed in 16 maximums (180s).
- Hit 50% of his double attempts.
The defending champion now boasts a tournament average of 110.88, a figure that seriously threatens Phil Taylor’s legendary record of 106.31 set in 2010. “I want to try and beat Phil’s record, so I’ve got to keep going,” Littler declared, clearly focused on etching his name further into darts history.
Gerwyn Price Fights Through to the Final
Earlier in the evening, Gerwyn Price secured his place in the final by dispatching Gian van Veen 17-10. This marks Price’s first televised ranking final since 2023 and his second World Matchplay final appearance.
Price’s Path to the Showpiece
- Strong Opening: Price burst into a 6-1 lead, showcasing his scoring power with a neat 125 checkout.
- Van Veen’s Fightback: The Dutch number one showed resilience, winning four consecutive legs to narrow the gap.
- Price Regains Control: The Welshman recovered impressively, establishing an 11-7 lead before ultimately winning six of the last seven legs to seal his victory.
“I’m more happy to be Welsh number one!” Price exclaimed after his win. His semi-final victory propelled him to world number four, overtaking fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton in the process. “Jonny’s been Welsh number one for a year and a half, or two years. But I’m back!”
Price reflected on his season, stating, “For the first six months of the season, I’ve been playing really well. I probably haven’t played as much as I should have. To reach a final, I’m happy. I was more nervous today, I wanted to reach a final and get back into the top four of the world and become Welsh number one.“
The Highly Anticipated Final: Littler vs. Price
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final between Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price is set to be an unmissable event. Both players have a history of delivering thrilling encounters.
“Me and Gezzy always have great games. We’ve had great games in the Premier League this year, and last year at the World Grand Prix,” Littler noted. “I think Gezzy will want to get me into a roaring battle tomorrow, but as long as I can get into the lead, I’ll be happy.”
The final will begin from 20:00 BST (8:00 PM British Summer Time), with coverage starting from 19:30 BST.
What to Expect:
- Littler’s Quest for History: Can he break Phil Taylor’s tournament average record and claim back-to-back titles?
- Price’s Determination: Will “The Iceman” secure his first Phil Taylor Trophy and solidify his return to top form?
- A Battle of Styles: Littler’s consistent high scoring against Price’s powerful, emotional game.
This final promises to be a dramatic conclusion to an incredible tournament.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
