World Matchplay: Littler faces Price again in a high-stakes final

The outcome of the night’s action in Blackpool is clear: Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price will face each other this Sunday evening in the final of the 2026 World Matchplay, following two semi-finals that highlighted two very different styles of play. Littler thrashed Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 with an average of 110.88. Price dominated Gian van Veen 17-10 to reach another televised ranking final and return to the world’s top four.

This final is significant because it pits the player who has been sweeping through the tournament against the rival who is determined to take him to a real battle of wills. The PDC confirmed the line-up overnight, and Sky Sports highlights Littler’s almost overwhelming form ahead of the final.

Gerwyn Price & Luke Littler set up a fascinating showdown in tomorrow’s @Betfred World Matchplay final! 🤩

📺https://t.co/xXnQhVoUPy #MatchplayDarts pic.twitter.com/9ilvtYJMwg

- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) 25 July 2026

Littler turned his semi-final into a masterclass

Let’s not beat about the bush: a 17-5 win in the World Matchplay semi-final isn’t just a comfortable victory. It’s a complete domination. Littler led 8-2 after ten legs, with an average of 117 at that stage, and then went on to rack up the legs without giving Van Duijvenbode a moment’s respite.

The statistic that best sums up his evening is almost absurd: four consecutive matches with an average above 109 in the same tournament. The PDC credits Littler with an overall average of 110.88 for his run, with 16 maximums against Van Duijvenbode and a 50 per cent success rate on doubles. At this rate, the raw score no longer tells the whole story. It simply forces the opponent to play well above their usual standard just to stay in the game.

There is also a historic milestone. By reaching this final, Littler has become the first player in PDC history to pass the £3 million mark in prize money. At 19, in a venue where he is already defending his title, the message is a significant one. He is not just winning quickly; he is establishing a form of dominance that is beginning to shape the whole reading of the circuit.

Price returns for a final that could turn his season around

Price’s trajectory is different, and that is precisely what gives this fixture its significance. The Welshman hasn’t produced the same statistical avalanche as Littler, but he clinched the crucial match against Gian van Veen. His 17-10 victory secures him his first televised ranking final since 2023 and a second final at the World Matchplay.

Price quickly set the tone, taking a 6-1 lead and hitting a 125 checkout. Van Veen responded well by winning four legs in a row, but the Welshman regained control to lead 11-7, before winning six of the last seven legs. Here, we saw above all a player capable of rising to the occasion as the semi-final began to tighten up.

This victory also has a direct impact on the rankings: Price climbs back to fourth in the world and regains the top spot among Welsh players, ahead of Jonny Clayton. This is no minor detail. In his post-match interview, he acknowledged the importance of regaining this status, whilst reiterating that he had been playing better for several months. This final therefore comes at just the right time to see whether his resurgence is here to stay.

The 2026 World Matchplay final at a glance

The key to this final lies in the pace. Littler wants to continue dictating the tempo, scoring early, and avoid getting drawn into what he himself has described as a roaring battle against Price. The Welshman, for his part, has every interest in making the match more physical, more tense and more disjointed. Put another way: the cleaner and faster the final becomes, the more it plays into Littler’s hands. The more electric it becomes, the more Price can make his mark.

Why this clash is more than just a battle of the big names

This final is brimming with sporting tension. Littler is playing to retain his title and could threaten Phil Taylor’s record tournament average, set at 106.31 in 2010 according to the PDC. Price is playing to put his name back at the centre of the major ranking events, following a period where he often seemed close but failed to clinch a major title.

Recent events add another layer to the story. Our piece on the World Matchplay semi-finals posed the key question: could anyone really unsettle Littler ahead of the final? Saturday’s answer was brutal. Van Duijvenbode didn’t hold up. Now it’s down to Price, with his intensity, his experience and that self-confessed penchant for high-stakes matches.

The score will tell us one thing on Sunday evening. The match itself may reveal a little more: either Littler will confirm that Blackpool has already become one of his strongholds, or Price will manage to turn a week of getting back into the swing of things into a real coup. This is where things get tough.

Sources used: official PDC article, Sky Sports round-up and official PDC post on X.