Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen secured their places in the World Matchplay semi-finals following hard-fought quarter-final victories at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, according to reporting from [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/articles/cg7m021d4klo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss). Price advanced by defeating Ross Smith 16-12, while Van Veen overcame James Wade 16-13 in a tight contest.
Price and Van Veen Reach World Matchplay Semi-Finals
The tournament’s 2026 edition continues at the Winter Gardens, with the semi-finals played over the best of 33 legs ahead of Sunday’s final, as detailed by [Sky Sports](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 Survives Ross Smith Comeback
Gerwyn Price produced a clinical display, posting a 102.78 average and hitting 10 maximums during his victory over Ross Smith. The Welshman initially established a 12-8 lead, which included a 10-darter, before Smith rallied by winning four consecutive legs to level the match at 12-12.
Price managed to raise his game in the closing stages, winning four legs on the bounce to seal the 16-12 victory. The win moves Price into his first World Matchplay semi-final since 2022, marking his fourth televised semi-final appearance of the season following previous runs at the World Masters, UK Open, and Premier League.
Ross played a decent game as well, so it's nice to play well when someone is playing well. It gives you a bit of confidence going into the next round,
Price told Sky Sports. For him to get back to 12-12, I thought 'here we go again', but thankfully I rode off four legs on the bounce.
Van Veen Fends Off James Wade in Tight Battle
World number three Gian van Veen booked his semi-final spot with a 16-13 win against James Wade, mirroring his defeat to the same opponent at the quarter-final stage 12 months prior. Van Veen established an 11-7 advantage, aided by a 160 checkout during a patchy start to the match.
Wade responded by claiming four successive legs—including a 121 checkout on the bullseye—to pull level at 11-11. As the match intensified, Van Veen took out 118 to move 14-12 ahead, and although Wade replied with another 121 finish, the Dutchman closed out the win with a 13-darter.
It was a tight battle, but I'm glad I got the job done,
Van Veen said. I was so lucky James wasn't scoring as well and my finishing got me through. Hopefully in the semis I will be a lot better.
Semi-Final Lineup at Winter Gardens
Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen are scheduled to face each other in the first semi-final on Saturday. In the other half of the draw, defending champion and world number one Luke Littler takes on unseeded Dirk van Duijvenbode, who reached the last four of the event for the first time after defeating Michael van Gerwen earlier in the week. Live coverage of the semi-finals begins on Saturday on the BBC Sport website and app, as well as Sky Sports.
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