Defending champion Luke Littler cruised into the World Matchplay final in Blackpool with a 17-5 demolition of unseeded Dirk van Duijvenbode. The world number one raced into an 8-2 lead and was averaging 117.10 at one stage, putting him on course to beat Phil Taylor's tournament match average record of 114.99.
Littler admitted afterwards that distracted him and his level did drop slightly as he finished with an average just below 111. However, that still leaves him well placed to beat Taylor's tournament average of 106.31, with Littler's currently at 110.88.
The teenager's victory also means he has now amassed more than £3m in the PDC's order of merit, and is more than £2m clear of world number two Luke Humphries.
Littler will face Wales' Gerwyn Price in Sunday's final after he beat Netherlands' Gian van Veen 17-10. Sunday's final gets under way at 20:05 BST, with the Women's World Matchplay taking place in the afternoon session from 13:00 – Beau Greaves and defending champion Lisa Ashton the top two seeds.
What does Littler's run mean?
Littler has averaged more than 109 in all four matches in this year's tournament as he looks to join Taylor and Michael van Gerwen as the only back-to-back winners of the Matchplay. The run is also continuing his sublime form in longer-format matches - this win extending the streak to 28 successive wins in games with 20 or more legs.
His last defeat over a match of that duration was when he burst on to the scene in the 2024 World Championship and lost to Luke Humphries in the final. That gives an indication of the challenge that Price will face on Sunday in his second Matchplay final.
The pair have a bit of rivalry with Price's on-stage roars and antics often provoking Littler into doing similar, but the teenager denied that Price can get "under his skin". Earlier in the week, Price said that some players can "make it too easy" for Littler.
Despite their battles, Littler has won the past nine encounters between the pair, with Price's last success in their opening meeting of 2026. The Welshman has never beat Littler in a game that has contained more than 15 legs so will have to reach new heights in the best-of-35 final.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Littler said: "Me and Gez always have great games. Gez will want to try and get me into a roaring battle. As long as I can get into the lead that will be the thing."
How did Price reach the final?
Price broke in the opening leg of the game and charged into a 4-1 lead, before a scrappy run of legs saw both players break throw regularly to leave Price leading 11-9 at the final mini-break. From there, the seventh seed powered on and stretched away from Van Veen in scoring and finishing to seal a comfortable victory.
Both players missed 23 darts at a double across the match, while Van Veen was broken nine times in 14 legs throwing first on what was a difficult night for the world number three.
The victory sees Price climb to fourth in the order of merit, above Jonny Clayton, and in turn becomes Welsh number one. Price told Sky Sports he was "happy" to reach the final, but "getting one up" on good friend Clayton was his main focus going into the tie.
Follow live text coverage of the men's World Matchplay on the website and app from 19:30 BST on Sunday.
World Matchplay Darts 2026 - Schedule, draw and prize money
Greaves first woman to reach European Tour event
Saturday's World Matchplay results
(7) Gerwyn Price 17-10 Gian van Veen (3)
(1) Luke Littler 17-5 Dirk Van Duijvenbode
Key Facts
- Luke Littler beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 in Blackpool to reach the World Matchplay final.
- Littler averaged 117.10 early in the match and finished just below 111, with his tournament average currently 110.88.
- Gerwyn Price beat Gian van Veen 17-10 and will face Littler in Sunday's final at 20:05 BST.
- Littler has won the past nine meetings with Price and has now earned more than £3m in the PDC order of merit.
- Price moved above Jonny Clayton to become Welsh number one and climb to fourth in the order of merit.
