Ross Smith won the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals on Sunday evening in Amsterdam, beating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in a final that turned on a sixpence after the interval. This is not just a new name on the winners’ list: it is Smith’s second major PDC title, four years on from the 2022 European Championship, and a victory that puts his season in a whole new light.
The PDC has confirmed the victory and the £100,000 prize for the winner, whilst Sky Sports and DartsNews highlight the same clear trend: Smith stifled Price in the closing stages of the match, with 11 maximums, finishes over 100 and a reported average of just under 104.
SMITH WINS THE WORLD SERIES FINALS! 🌍👑
Ross Smith wins his maiden World Series of Darts Finals title and the second Premier event of his career, defeating Gerwyn Price 11-5 after averaging nearly 104 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U4eHg8W1Oo
Ross Smith broke the deadlock at just the right moment
The final score tells the story of clear dominance, but the real turning point came mainly in the second half of the match. Price still had a chance to stay in the game, but then Smith took the last six legs. In a short final like this, there’s no room for error: the pressure mounts, the doubles get tighter, and the player who keeps racking up 180s often ends up dictating the pace.
Smith won this final on two fronts. Firstly in terms of scoring, with a constant presence on the treble 20 and a series of maximums that forced Price to play catch-up. Then in the closing stages, with runs of over 100 that broke the Welshman’s momentum. Price, for his part, paid the price for a shaky finish on the doubles, with Sky Sports reporting that his checkout percentage had dropped to 26 per cent.
A second major title that really counts
This title holds special significance for Smith. His 2022 European Championship victory was never a fluke, but he still needed to turn that one-off achievement into genuine consistency at the very highest level. Amsterdam has given him exactly that: a televised title, a hefty prize purse, and, above all, a final won without faltering against a former world champion.
His recent form also lends weight to the result. Smith had already made a big impact this summer and in early autumn, notably with his victory in Budapest against Gary Anderson. Following Luke Littler’s elimination by Jonny Clayton, the tournament was looking for a new frontrunner for the evening. Smith seized the role rather decisively.
Sunday’s action in Amsterdam
The final day of the World Series Finals also served as a reminder that the face of this tournament can change very quickly. Littler had arrived with the ambitious aim of a PDC Grand Slam in 2026, but Clayton stopped him in his tracks with a 10-4 victory in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Smith beat Gian van Veen 11-8 in the semi-finals, whilst Price dominated Jonny Clayton 11-7.
| Final | Ross Smith 11-5 Gerwyn Price |
| Smith’s semi-final | Ross Smith 11-8 Gian van Veen |
| Price’s semi-final | Gerwyn Price 11-7 Jonny Clayton |
| Venue | AFAS Live, Amsterdam |
| Winner’s prize | £100,000 |
The key point is that Smith didn’t just capitalise on Littler’s defeat. He beat the home player, who was still being cheered on by the crowd, and then he had Price on the ropes in the final. It was a true champion’s night, not a title won by default.
What this means ahead of the World Grand Prix
The next major event is fast approaching, with the World Grand Prix in Leicester from 28 September to 4 October. Smith will arrive there with a different status. He is no longer just a dangerous player capable of producing a massive performance: he has just won a televised tournament by dictating the pace of a final.
For Price, the assessment is more sobering. He had a solid week overall, but losing a final 11-5 whilst missing so many doubles is bound to leave its mark. The Iceman remains strong enough to go on to win big on Sundays, but this final also shows that his potential isn’t enough if his finishing lets him down at the wrong moment.
Sources: PDC, Sky Sports, DartsNews.
