World Matchplay 2026: Saturday Semi-Finals Preview

The 2026 World Matchplay reaches its crescendo tonight at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, as four world-class darting talents battle for a place in Sunday evening’s grand final. Following two explosive nights of Quarter-Final action in the Empress Ballroom, the tournament format expands once again to a grueling Best of 33 legs (First to 17) marathon. Over this distance, players will need to demonstrate physical stamina, sustained scoring power, and ultimate composure on the outer ring under intense pressure.

Tonight’s double-header features defending champion Luke Littler taking on Dutch powerhouse Dirk van Duijvenbode, followed by 2022 finalist Gerwyn Price clashing with rising superstar Gian van Veen. Here is our detailed breakdown of how all four players reached the final four and what to expect on stage tonight.

Luke Littler vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode

The opening Semi-Final of the evening pits defending champion Luke Littler against Dirk van Duijvenbode in what promises to be a high-tempo scoring battle. Littler’s title defense has been nothing short of historic, with ‘The Nuke’ posting relentless three-figure averages in every round. After opening his campaign with a dominant win over Niko Springer, Littler produced a masterclass in the Quarter-Finals, dismantling Josh Rock 16-7. Averages north of 109 and 17 maximums on Thursday night confirmed that the world number one is operating at the absolute peak of his powers on the Blackpool stage.

Dirk van Duijvenbode’s route to his maiden Blackpool Semi-Final has been defined by grit and determination. The Dutchman navigated an incredibly tough draw, defeating former champions and elite contenders including Chris Dobey and Michael van Gerwen to reach the Last 8. In his Quarter-Final against Gary Anderson, Van Duijvenbode stormed into a 14-6 lead before withstanding a ferocious late comeback from ‘The Flying Scotsman’ to hang on for a dramatic 16-13 victory.

The tactical intrigue of this matchup centers around scoring momentum. Both players thrive on quick rhythm and relentless treble hitting. However, Van Duijvenbode cannot afford the scoring lulls that crept into his Quarter-Final finish, as Littler has shown zero mercy when presented with opportunities. If ‘Aubergenius’ can keep the scoreline close through the opening two sessions, his high-energy approach could put serious pressure on the defending World Matchplay champion over 33 legs.

Gerwyn Price vs. Gian van Veen

The second tie brings together two of the form players in world darts as former World Matchplay champion Gerwyn Price meets Dutch sensation Gian van Veen. Price arrives in his second World Matchplay Semi-Final after showing immense tactical maturity throughout the week. The Welshman opened his tournament with hard-fought wins over Martin Schindler and Rob Cross before overcoming Ross Smith 16-12 in Friday’s Quarter-Finals. Price survived a heavy four-leg surge from Smith mid-match, digging deep to hit a crucial 121 checkout on the bullseye before reeling off the final four legs to seal the win.

Gian van Veen’s progression into the Semi-Finals highlights his rapid ascent to the sport’s elite tier. The 24-year-old was forced through a grueling 26-leg overtime battle against Wessel Nijman in the second round before putting on a clinical display of patience against veteran James Wade in the Last 8. Van Veen opened up an early lead against ‘The Machine’ and maintained a steady three-leg cushion to secure a impressive 16-13 victory, proving he can manage long-format matches against the game’s toughest opponents.

This contest presents a classic battle between Price’s intense stage presence and Van Veen’s calm, fluid precision. Price boasts the advantage in big-stage semi-final experience and long-format stamina, but Van Veen has shown a surprisingly high scoring floor and ruthless setup play all week. If Van Veen can match Price’s scoring early on and ignore the vocal Blackpool crowd, this Semi-Final could easily go down to a late-leg shootout.

Saturday Evening World Matchplay Order of Play & How to Watch

Action at the Winter Gardens begins at 7:30pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action. Dirk van Duijvenbode and Luke Littler will open the night in the first Semi-Final, followed immediately by Gerwyn Price versus Gian van Veen. The winners of tonight’s two matches will advance to Sunday evening’s final to compete for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy and the £225,000 top prize.

Betfred World Matchplay Semi-Finals

• Format: Best of 33 legs (First to 17)

• Match 1: Gerwyn Price vs. Gian van Veen

• Match 2: Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Luke Littler

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Make sure to follow Online Darts across YouTube, TikTok, X, and Facebook for complete coverage of Saturday night’s Semi-Finals! We will be bringing you live  updates, back-stage interviews from the press room, and instant reaction direct from Blackpool throughout the evening.