World Matchplay Darts: Luke Littler seals Blackpool history as Gerwyn Price aims for shock win over world No 1 | Arrow News

Gerwyn Price is relishing the ‘underdog’ tag in Sunday’s Betfred World Matchplay final and insists he can get the better of defending champion Luke Littler at Blackpool.

Littler reached the final with a 17-5 demolition of Dirk van Duijvenbode at the Winter Gardens, shooting an average of 110.88 and 16 maximums during another goal-scoring display.

The world No. 1 has averaged over 109 in all four matches during his run to the final and is the favorite to become the first back-to-back winner since Michael van Gerwen, while Littler is on course to match the tournament’s highest average in history.

Price is through to his first major TV final since 2023 and first World Matchplay since 2022, and the Welshman hopes to end Littler’s title challenge.

“When I go to any game I’m the favorite, that’s how I believe and that’s how I prepare,” insisted Price after his victory. “I believe that when I hit my A game, it doesn’t matter who I play, I win, it’s that simple.

“They know if I play my A game, I’m going to win. Obviously Luke, when he’s at his best, he knows he can’t be beaten. If my A game is there, I’m ready, I’m going to win.”

Price added: “I’m in this tournament to win. I’m not here to just get to the final and jump up the rankings and get to number one in Wales – I’m here to win.

“Luke will be a big favorite in the finals, but don’t underestimate me!”

Price has lost his last nine matches against Littler, a run that dates back to the Bahrain Darts Masters in January, although the former World No 1 believes he can improve on Saturday’s 17-10 win over Gian van Veen.

“I’m in the main final and I haven’t played where I’m at my best in these games,” insisted Price. I know I have a lot in the tank.

“If that comes out, I’ll be lifting the trophy. If not, I’ll fight my way through.”

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Littler closed out the competition with a 13-darter and became the first player in PDC history to reach £3m in prize money, with the youngster now looking to extend his record of winning all the major TV titles in 2026.

“Obviously I can do a lot of good things in sports and obviously I do it for myself,” Littler said in a press conference. “As long as I play like this, I hope to win the trophy again.

“You can’t look down on someone, don’t forget it’s the finals. If only me and Gezzy [Price] He had a really good game tomorrow, hopefully I can get a win over him.

Price said after his quarter-final win over Ross Smith that he felt ‘other players made it too easy’ for Littler, but the 19-year-old believes it is up to his opponents to raise their game to beat him.

“I wouldn’t feel that way,” Littler added. “I know every player will play at least 10 times better against me than last round, because they have to.

“They’ve been putting up these numbers consistently, game after game, so somebody has to do something special to beat me. I’ve got to keep going.”

What’s next?

Sunday afternoon sees the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay, live from 1pm on Sky Sports Actionwith Lisa Ashton returning as defending champion and Beau Greaves looking to win the event for the third time in four years.

The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final will take place later that evening, with Littler taking on Price in a best-of-35-leg contest.

Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Live coverage starts on Sunday from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with the latter starting at 8.15pm. Stream darts and other top games NOW.