The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay reaches its semi-final stage on Saturday evening, with just four players remaining in the hunt for one of darts' most prestigious titles.

Defending champion Luke Littler continues his bid to retain the Phil Taylor Trophy after another dominant display in the quarter-finals, while Dirk van Duijvenbode, Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen are all just two victories away from lifting the £225,000 top prize in Blackpool.

Saturday's semi-finals promise two fascinating contests.

Littler enters as the man to beat and will be expected to reach another televised major final if he maintains the level he has shown throughout the week. However, Van Duijvenbode has already eliminated Gary Anderson and possesses enough scoring power to punish any lapse in concentration.

The second semi-final could be even closer. Price is chasing a first World Matchplay title, while Van Veen continues to prove why he is regarded as one of the brightest young stars in the game. With a place in Sunday's final at stake, expect both matches to deliver the high-quality darts that have defined this year's tournament.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Day 8, including the schedule, latest odds and our best betting tips.

PDC World Matchplay Day 8 Schedule

Saturday, July 25 (Semi-finals - Best of 33 legs)

8:05pm BST

9:45pm BST

Both matches will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 8:00pm BST.

World Matchplay Outright Odds

Current tournament favourites:

  • Luke Littler
  • Gerwyn Price
  • Gian van Veen
  • Dirk van Duijvenbode

Littler remains the clear favourite after cruising through the opening rounds, including his emphatic quarter-final victory over Josh Rock. The reigning champion has looked the standout player in Blackpool and is aiming to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to successfully defend the World Matchplay title.

World Matchplay Best Bets for Semi-Final

We have picked out four best bets for World Matchplay Semi-Finals:

Tip 1: Most 180s, Highest Checkout & Win Match - Gerwyn Price - 1pt

Best odds available of 11/4 at Skybet while writing.

This Bet combines three of Gerwyn Price's biggest strengths. "The Iceman" has been one of the tournament's standout performers, producing heavy scoring alongside his trademark clinical finishing under pressure. His ability to find maximums consistently gives him a strong chance of topping the 180 count, while his reputation as one of the PDC's elite finishers makes the highest checkout market equally appealing. If Price performs to his usual standard, those attributes should put him in a commanding position to reach Sunday's final.

Gerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price v Gian van Veen [Most 180s, Highest Checkout and Win Match]
11/4

Tip 2: Over 29.5 Legs - Gerwyn Price vs Gian van Veen

Best odds of EVENS at Skybet while publishing.

This has all the ingredients to be the closest match of the semi-finals. Price has enjoyed an excellent tournament, while Van Veen continues to cement his place among the PDC's elite with another deep run at a major. Both players possess the scoring power to keep the contest level for long periods, and neither is likely to give much away on throw. In a best-of-33-leg format, backing the match to go beyond 29.5 legs looks a strong play.

Over 29.5
Gerwyn Price v Gian van Veen [Total Legs]
1/1

TIP 3: Luke Littler - Over 13.5 Total 180s - 1pt

Best odds of EVENS at Skybet while writing.

Littler's relentless scoring has been one of the stories of this year's World Matchplay, and a longer semi-final format only increases his opportunities to pile up maximums. The reigning champion produced a nine-dart finish in his quarter-final victory over Josh Rock and has consistently peppered the treble 20 throughout the tournament. Against Dirk van Duijvenbode, another heavy scorer who should keep the match competitive, backing Littler to hit 14 or more 180s looks like a strong angle.

Over 13.5
Luke Littler v Dirk van Duijvenbode [Player A Total 180s]
21/20

TIP 4: Over 25.5 Legs - Luke Littler vs Dirk van Duijvenbode - 1pt

Best odds of 27/25 at Virgin Bet while publishing.

This semi-final has all the ingredients to go deep. Van Duijvenbode booked his place in the last four after an exhausting 16-13 win over Gary Anderson, proving he has both the scoring power and resilience to stay with the very best. Littler will deservedly start as favourite, but Dirk's heavy scoring should ensure he wins enough legs to push the contest beyond the 25.5-leg mark in the best-of-33 format.

Over 25.5
Luke Littler v Dirk van Duijvenbode [Total Legs]
27/25