Here’s today’s headline: the 2026 World Matchplay reaches the semi-finals this Saturday evening in Blackpool, with Luke Littler still on course for a double and three challengers who have never won the Phil Taylor Trophy. To put it another way: there are just two matches left before the final, and the draw has finally taken on the shape of a genuine generational showdown.
The evening’s fixtures see Gerwyn Price take on Gian van Veen first, followed by Luke Littler versus Dirk van Duijvenbode. The PDC has focused primarily on Van Duijvenbode’s challenge against the world number one, whilst Sky Sports is highlighting the threat posed by Littler and Price’s rise to prominence. For us, the stakes are clear: tonight’s action could either confirm Littler’s dominance or completely shake up the outlook for Blackpool.
The schedule for the 2026 World Matchplay semi-finals
The semi-finals will be played this Saturday, 25 July, at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The PDC has announced an evening session with the UK broadcast starting at 7.30 pm BST and play commencing at around 8.05 pm BST, which is 9.05 pm in France. At this stage of the tournament, there is no room for error: even the slightest lapse could prove very costly.
| Semi-final | Fixtures |
| Match 1 | Gerwyn Price vs Gian van Veen |
| Match 2 | Luke Littler vs Dirk van Duijvenbode |
| Venue | Winter Gardens, Blackpool |
| At stake | A place in Sunday’s World Matchplay final |
Littler v Van Duijvenbode: the big test
On paper, Luke Littler goes into the match as the clear favourite and in the best form. He has already knocked out Niko Springer, Nathan Aspinall and Josh Rock, with a cumulative average of 110.91 across his first three matches, as reported by the PDC. At this rate, he’s not just winning his matches: he’s forcing his opponents to keep up with his scoring at an almost absurd pace.
Van Duijvenbode, for his part, hasn’t had an easy run. The Dutchman knocked out Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and then Gary Anderson – three seeded players – before reaching his first World Matchplay semi-final. His victory over Anderson, which ended 16–13 after he had led 15–7, perfectly sums up the player of the moment: he can put himself in danger, but he has also found the nerve to close out big matches.
The key detail is what he has said. Van Duijvenbode explained to the PDC that he had been trying to play more aggressively, right down to the music he listens to before taking to the stage. This isn’t just an anecdote. Against Littler, he’ll need to maintain his form, slow down his opponent’s runs and accept that the crowd will often favour the defending champion. On a night like this, there’s no room for error.
Price and Van Veen: two very different styles
The other semi-final has attracted less media attention, but it is perhaps the most interesting to analyse. Gerwyn Price beat Ross Smith 16–12 with an average of 102.78 and ten 180s. Crucially, he held his nerve when Smith levelled the score at 12–12, before winning four legs in a row. This isn’t just about a victory: it’s about Price finding his form again in closing out tough matches.
His opponent, Gian van Veen, presents a different profile. He didn’t shine in terms of scoring against James Wade, but he found the finishes he needed, notably a 160 followed by a 118 at crucial moments. Our piece on Van Veen’s victory over Wade already highlighted this point: the score tells one thing, but the match revealed a little more about his ability to dig deep.
Price has the experience on his side, whilst Van Veen has the momentum of reaching his first semi-final in Blackpool. If the Welshman truly rediscovers his intensity, he can set the tone. If Van Veen remains clinical on his doubles, he can extend a week that already feels like a milestone in his career.
Why this evening matters so much
The World Matchplay often serves as a test of the pecking order. This year, the contrast is stark. Littler is defending his title and is already playing at a level reminiscent of the great dominators. Price is chasing his first televised ranking title in several years. Van Veen wants to turn his status as the Dutch number one into a genuine major threat. As for Van Duijvenbode, he’s trying to see his crazy week through to the very end.
Sky Sports notes that Littler is already talking about Phil Taylor-style dominance if he maintains this level of play. It’s a bold statement, but it’s not without context: his averages and scoring power are forcing the rest of the field to play above their usual standard. This Saturday, we’ll find out if anyone can really rattle him before the final.
The editorial priority for the evening: keep a close eye on the start of the Littler v Van Duijvenbode match. If Littler takes two or three breaks early on, things could get brutal. If the Dutchman stays neck and neck after the opening sessions, Blackpool might finally be in for a proper showdown.
