Summary

  • Follow live text updates from World Matchplay final in Blackpool

  • Defending champion Luke Littler faces Gerwyn Price

  • Littler goes into final with tournament average of 110.88 and on course to beat Phil Taylor's record of 106.31

  • Final is best of 35 legs - full format explained

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  1. Postpublished at 20:19 BST

    Littler 4-1 Price

    The way things are going, I think it's safe to assume that Phil Taylor's record tournament average of 106.31 is going to be beaten.

    Luke Littler is flying and he only needs to average in the low 90s to exceed that for the week.

  2. The stats so farpublished at 20:17 BST

    Littler 4-1 Price

    Some incredible averages on show in the opening five legs... Gerwyn Price's is actually higher at the moment.

    It is only the 4-1 scoreline that really matters though.

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  3. Postpublished at 20:16 BST

    Littler 4-1 Price

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler has strolled into a 4-1 lead.

    I am going to say stroll because he's been playing to this level.

  4. Littler takes out 110published at 20:15 BST

    Littler 4-1 Price

    Break consolidated in style by Luke Littler!

    A 167 checkout followed by a 110.

    He is just on another level. It's early in this final but already it's hard to see how he can be stopped!

  5. Postpublished at 20:14 BST

    Littler 3-1 Price

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    I'm going to be critical here...

    You are giving Luke Littler confidence - Gerwyn Price was acting like that was funny. What was funny about it?

    Gezzy, get stuck into him pal.

  6. Postpublished at 20:13 BST

    Littler 3-1 Price

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    Has Luke Littler opened the floodgates? He's due some more big finishes...

  7. Littler breaks with 167 outpublished at 20:13 BST

    Littler 3-1 Price

    Sensational!

    Luke Littler strikes the first blow with a phenomenal 167 checkout to claim the first break. Just brilliant.

    Treble 20, treble 19, bullseye.

    Gerwyn Price chuckles but that will hurt given that he was only just inside on the double 20 for a 145 out.

  8. Postpublished at 20:11 BST

    Littler 2-1 Price

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler has got the big average going early on again. He's out of the gates well.

    Gerwyn Price has started well too. You feel like you are involved if you are Price.

  9. Postpublished at 20:11 BST

    Littler 2-1 Price

    You don't average the 110 that Luke Littler has in this tournament without hitting a fair few 180s.

    The Nuke hits his second of the match to take control of the leg and eventually hits double 10 to win it in 15 darts.

  10. Price holdspublished at 20:10 BST

    Littler 1-1 Price

    The first 180 of the night goes to Gerwyn Price, bringing a roar from the crowd.

    But Luke Littler is right behind him, responding in kind.

    Price then goes 177 to leave 22 and when Littler can't take out 141, the Welshman hits double 11 to level it up.

  11. Littler holdspublished at 20:08 BST

    Littler 1-0 Price

    A succession of 140s in the leg, neither player able to hit the max just yet but it's Luke Littler on the board first.

    Double 10 hit for a straightforward hold.

  12. Postpublished at 20:07 BST

    Littler 0-0 Price

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    The usual relaxed and I'll just settle in philosophy probably isn't the right approach for Gerwyn Price in this match. He needs to get ahead.

  13. Postpublished at 20:06 BST

    Littler v Price

    Luke Littler is up on stage now as well, a few more stops and starts on his walk-on and he greets friends and family in the crowd.

    We're just about ready to go in this World Matchplay final...

  14. Postpublished at 20:04 BST

    Littler v Price

    Here we go then, it's walk-on time.

    First up, it's Gerwyn Price marching on with purpose as Ice, Ice Baby plays.

    He plays it cool before giving the crowd what they want, that big cry of 'come on!'

  15. Postpublished at 20:03 BST

    Littler v Price

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    I'm saying 18-8 to Luke Littler.

  16. Postpublished at 20:02 BST

    Littler v Price

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    I can only see one winner. It will be tight at the start but then I'm saying 18-9 to Luke Littler.

  17. Will Littler break Taylor's average record?published at 20:00 BST

    Littler v Price

    In the first 10 legs of Saturday's semi-final Luke Littler was averaged 117.10 and Phil Taylor's match record in the Matchplay of 114.99 was under threat.

    Littler's level dropped slightly and he finished just below 111 but that has left him well placed to break another of Taylor's record - the tournament average at a Matchplay.

    Even an average in the low 90s tonight would see Littler beat the record. It would be a major surprise if that doesn't happen now!

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  18. Postpublished at 19:57 BST

    Littler v Price

    Phil Taylor with World Matchplay trophyImage source, Getty Images

    They're playing for the Phil Taylor trophy tonight, of course.

    If you're wondering why this one is named after the great man, that's simple: he won this tournament a remarkable 16 times.

    That included a run of eight Matchplay wins in a row between 2006 and 2014. He wasn't bad, you know...

    Luke Littler is breaking all sorts of records but that is one he will do well to break.

  19. Postpublished at 19:54 BST

    Littler v Price

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    Gerwyn Price's ceiling is good enough to win this game, but is that enough if Luke Littler is near the top of his game?

    There will be a bit of timing involved and he'll need some luck.

    I just want Price to go up and play his game. He's got the will and belief to win.

  20. How the finalists compare in 2026 Matchplaypublished at 19:51 BST

    Littler v Price

    Luke Littler has averaged more than 109 in all four of this ties in this year's Matchplay so you won't be surprised to see that he's outscoring Gerwyn Price considerably.

    The Welshman has only had a ton average in one of his four matches. Surely he's going to need one to be competitive tonight?

    The checkout percentages are much closer, with Littler's improving as the tournament has progressed.

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