World Matchplay darts: Gerwyn Price issues title warning to 'ruthless' Luke Littler after reaching Blackpool semi-finals
Professional darts player Gerwyn Price has reached the semi-finals of the World Matchplay tournament in Blackpool. He is now preparing to face Gian van Veen, while defending champion Luke Littler remains the favorite to win the title.
Why it matters
The World Matchplay is a major PDC darts event, and the performance of top-ranked players like Price and Littler significantly impacts the professional rankings and betting landscape.
Gerwyn Price insists he can thwart Luke Littler's bid for back-to-back World Matchplay titles and believes some players ‘make it too easy’ for the defending champion. <p><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/13566693/world-matchplay-darts-gian-van-veen-edges-past-james-wade-to-book-semi-final-showdown-with-gerwyn-price-in-blackpool">Price booked his first World Matchplay semi-final since 2022 with a 16-12 win over Ross Smith</a> at the Winter Gardens, where the 'Ice Man' fired a 102.78 average and closed out victory with a four-leg burst.</p><p>The Welshman faces world No 3 Gian van Veen in the last four, with the winner of that semi-final progressing to face either Littler or Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in Sunday's best-of-35 leg final.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13561989/betfred-world-matchplay-2026-luke-littler-michael-van-gerwen-gary-anderson-routes-to-final-as-draw-and-schedule-confirmed"><strong>Latest World Matchplay Darts results, schedule</strong></a> 📅</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/live-blog/27975/13566495/world-matchplay-darts-live-updates-video-analysis-scores-commentary-with-gerwyn-price-gian-van-veen-and-james-wade-in-action">Gerwyn Price books semi-final spot - as it happened</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchDartsApp" target="_blank">Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app </a></strong>📱</li><li><strong><a href="http://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Not got Sky?
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