Luke Humphries wins the World Grand Prix after a dramatic finale against Gerwyn Price

The series began a year ago at the World Grand Prix. Luke Humphries lost to Luke Littler 1:6 in the final. He also reached the final at the Grand Slam of Darts, the European Darts Championship and the Masters, but was always at a disadvantage against Littler or Gian van Veen. Four grand finals, four defeats. Humphries temporarily fell behind them to third place in the world rankings.

In this respect, it was primarily relief that the Englishman felt after his 6:4 against Gerwyn Price in the final of the World Grand Prix 2026. "I needed this to gain some self-confidence. The last 15 or 18 months have been an extremely tough time for me as I've lost so many major finals," said the overjoyed winner: "Having this series behind me feels really special - it means the world to me."

At the beginning of the evening it quickly looked like the fifth defeat in the final. As in the previous year against Littler, this time he seemed to have no chance against Price. “I felt like I didn't have much to counter tonight,” Humphries later admitted. His goals had suddenly changed in view of his opponent's furious performance: "I just didn't want to lose 6-0."

It took just three minutes and 45 seconds for the first section to be over - the first set, mind you, not the first leg. Price got off to a record start, checking in twelve, ten and twelve arrows to make it 3-0. “‘Gezzy’ was fantastic in those first three legs, absolutely insane,” said Humphries. And on the DAZN microphone, Gabriel Clemens scratched his head in amazement: “It’s breathtaking how he gets started here.”

It was the fastest set in tournament history and, with an average of 132.62 points per shot, also the highest set average ever played.

The Welshman, who had already threatened to give up a 3-0 lead against Nathan Aspinall in the semi-final, had to let Humphries go first in the end. “Luke played brilliantly in the middle part of the match,” said Price, before turning to self-criticism: “But I also missed too many opportunities to put a little pressure on him.”

And so the winner was able to celebrate his second triumph in the major tournament played in the treacherous double-in/double-out mode. The prize money of 150,000 pounds also brings him back to second place in the Order of Merit - and the 31-year-old has now started a new series. Humphries is the only player to have reached the World Grand Prix final four times in a row.