Littler and Price to Contest Blackpool Final
Luke Littler produced a performance of extraordinary quality to book his place in a second consecutive World Matchplay final, demolishing Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 at the Winter Gardens. The defending champion was in imperious form, averaging 110.88 in a display that leaves him on course to break Phil Taylor’s long-standing tournament average record.
The semi-final was a one-sided affair from early on, with Littler offering his Dutch opponent a drubbing. Averaging north of 110 for the entire contest, he gave a hapless van Duijvenbode few opportunities to gain a foothold in the match. Based on this most recent display of scoring power, the reigning champion will be the overwhelming favourite with the leading UK betting sites to lift The Phil Trophy for a second time on Sunday night.
The evening’s other semi-final was a more attritional contest, as Gerwyn Price overcame Gian van Veen to reach the Blackpool final. While neither player was at their scintillating best, it was the Welshman who held his nerve to get over the line. Price began the match strongly, racing into an early lead and capping a strong passage of play with a superb 125 checkout.
The victory puts the former world champion into his first major final since the 2023 World Grand Prix and offers a chance to go one better than his runner-up finish here in 2022. He joins a notable list of former BDO and PDC world champions to have graced the Matchplay final stage.
Women’s Title to be Decided Sunday
The final day of action in Blackpool will begin with the Women’s World Matchplay in the afternoon session. Top seed Beau Greaves, who enjoyed a remarkable unbeaten run of 114 matches between April 2025 and March 2026, enters as the heavy favourite to win a third title. She will face competition from a field that includes defending champion Lisa Ashton and the inaugural winner, Fallon Sherrock. The men’s final between Littler and Price will then take place in the evening.
