World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Wade clashes Clayton before Littler takes on Rock in HUGE night of semis action
Teenage sensation Luke Littler will take on Josh Rock in the final four, with the World Cup winner already taking out Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen in the tournament.
Jonny Clayton is also set to meet James Wade in the first of the semi-finals tonight.
Blackpool is guaranteed to see a new winner, as last year's champion Luke Humphries suffered a SHOCK first round exit against Gian van Veen.
16 minutes ago By Alex Smith
'Not afraid anymore'
Could success in Blackpool be just the beginning for Josh Rock?
Rock admitted he used to be "scared to win" when he first burst onto the scene.
But he now says: "I feed off it. I've had semi-finals, a World Cup win. I'm not afraid anymore.
"Two years ago, I wouldn't have even been sat here talking about a semi-final.
"But once you've won a major on TV — especially on Sky Sports, which everyone looks at as the main one — it changes everything.
"I know my ability, but I'm still only 24. There's more to come.'
56 minutes ago By Alex Smith
Price's classy gesture
Gerwyn Price gave Josh Rock a hug after he was beaten by the Northern Irishman last night.
Asked what the former world champion said to him as they exchanged words, Rock revealed: "He squeezed me and said, 'Josh, well done, son. I really hope you go and win this.'
"That meant a lot. He didn't have to say that.'
Today, 16:50 By Alex Smith
Ex-darts ace brokers Rashford move
Marcus Rashford's loan move from Manchester United to Barcelona was brokered by a former darts player.
Simon Leaf, who is in charge of a law firm's sport division, was drafted in by Rashford's brother and agent Dwaine Maynard to help with the financial details.
Back in 2005, Leaf played at the World Darts Championship and he also had a spell as a football referee.
Today, 16:00 By Alex Smith
'I'm one of the best'
James Wade oozed confidence ahead of his semi-final against Jonny Clayton tonight.
Wade boldly talked himself up, saying: 'I'm probably one of the best dart players that's walked the planet in the last 20 years.
'Everyone forgets I've played John Lowe, Cliff Lazarenko, all these names that have put this game where it is.
'I'm really thankful and grateful to have played a part and contributed to where darts is now and I'm happy to still be here and be a part of it.
'I think I've got another five to ten years at this.
"I'll do whatever I need to do because I can do it and I have been for 20-odd years.'
Today, 15:10 By Alex Smith
'I'm here to win'
Jonny Clayton says he "has that hunger back" ahead of his semi-final against Jame Wade tonight.
The extra motivated Welshman said: 'It hurts that I've gone from world number five to number nine as when you're there, people respect you that little bit more.
"I'm here to try and win the tournament.
"I'm one step from the final and two wins from a big trophy so I'm going to try my best and hopefully I can beat James."
Today, 14:20 By Alex Smith
Rock solid
Josh Rock dispatched Gerwyn Price 16-11 last night after knocking out Michael van Gerwen in the previous round.
Typically, Rock is at home by the Blackpool seaside and he is ready for his blockbuster against Luke Littler.
The Northern Irish star said yesterday: "I'm on cloud nine at the minute.
'I can't wait to finally play Luke on the big stage. The darting world will be watching that game tomorrow.
'Luke is one of my close friends behind the scenes. Hopefully we both turn up, but I'm sure it will be a cracking game.
'I'm just so relieved to be in the semi-finals.
"Gezzy played really well tonight too, he never gave up, but wow – what a game.'
Today, 13:27 By Alex Smith
Littler reacts
Luke Littler battled past Andrew Gilding 16-14 to make the semi-finals last night.
After a close-fought match, The Nuke said: 'I just had to stay focused, and I'm so glad to get over the line.
'Andrew is a top player. He fought back really well, and that's why he's a major champion.
'He's such a tough opponent, but I didn't panic.
"I missed a few doubles at times, but my scoring power was really strong tonight.
'The atmosphere was unbelievable. I really didn't want to go to a tiebreak, so to hit an 11-darter with back-to-back 180s was class.'
Today, 12:36 By James Orr
Littler hits back at Anderson
Luke Littler has pushed back on Gary Anderson's comments labelling young darts stars as 'boring.'
Anderson, 54, lashed out at young players' attitudes in his post-match interview after beating Luke Woodhouse at the World Matchplay last Sunday.
Anderson said: "The youngsters are boring. Absolutely boring.
"You talk to them, they're too busy looking at their phone.
"They're sitting on their phones with their bloody earphones in. Don't talk to you. It's a completely different life."
Littler gave his blunt, tongue-in-cheek response in a press conference at the World Matchplay.
He said: "A lot of us players, we just get on with our thing.
"Like Gary Anderson said, we're boring so that's what we do."
Today, 11:32 By James Orr
Littler friendship put on hold
Luke Littler is facing his friend Josh Rock tonight in what stands to be a mammoth semi-final.
Littler said: "As soon as you're on the stage, you're no one's friend and you're there to do a job."
"We've been good friends now for quite a while. He has been playing really good darts for quite a few months."
Today, 10:24 By James Orr
Today's matches
It is semi-final day in Blackpool! And what a couple of semi-finals we have in store.
Here are the scheduled timings for the big one today:
James Wade vs Jonny Clayton (8.10pm)
Josh Rock vs Luke Littler (9.40pm)
Today, 09:00 By Craig Mahood
Good morning darts fans!
We're down to the final four as one of Luke Littler, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton and James Wade will be crowned Matchplay champion tomorrow night.
Littler and Rock came through the quarter finals last night, with the latter in particular dazzling on the Winter Gardens stage.
The close friends will meet in one of tonight's semis, with Wade and Clayton going toe-to-toe in the other.
We also finally got our first 170 checkout of this year's tournament, coming courtesy of Gerwyn Price who was subsequently dumped out by Rock.
All to play for then for all four gents.
Today, 08:43 By James Orr
Loved-up Littler
Luke Littler planted a kiss on new girlfriend Faith as the darts star continued his quest to become the youngest ever Triple Crown holder.
The world champion, 18, reached his first ever Winter Gardens semi-final after beating Andrew Gilding 16-14 in Blackpool last night.
As the packed arena roared, and the tension built for his crucial clash, the camera panned to Littler making his grand entrance.
And his partner Faith Millar, 19, looked every inch the proud girlfriend.
Just before stepping on to the oche, Littler leaned in and gave Faith a tender smooch right there in front of thousands of screaming fans and millions watching live on TV.
It was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment of affection that immediately sent social media into a frenzy, with fans cooing over the couple's cute display.
Today, 08:00 By Craig Mahood
Banked
Not only is the prize of being World Matchplay champion up for grabs, the money isn't half bad either!
The four semi finalists have all bagged themselves at least £50,000 for reaching this stage.
The runner-up will go on to receive £100,000 with the winner banking a whopping £200,000!
That's 25% of the £800,000 prize money put up before an arrow was thrown.
Today, 07:00
Record breaker
Luke Littler broke another record and insisted he didn't 'panic' after another World Matchplay nail-biter.
The teen sensation reached his first-ever Winter Gardens semi-final after narrowly outgunning Andrew Gilding 16-14 in Blackpool last night.
Littler, 18, appeared to be cruising at 14-9 but Goldfinger found his range with three legs on the bounce to make it a tight finale.
The Nuke had his power-scoring to thank as he rattled in 18 180s - a record for a Matchplay quarter-final.
He said: 'They got their monies worth. I think they wanted it at 15-15 all.
'But that last leg, I just had to stay focused, get over the line, he won a few on the bounce whilst I was sat on 15 legs. But I just had to do a professional job at the end.
'I didn't really panic. Andrew obviously, leg by leg, really started to win a few on the trot, but that last leg there against the darts as well.
'I just had to get over the line. I think they are my friends now but they were Andrew's friends a minute ago.
'He played his part, some funny faces. It's, very tough, because he does what he does. He never, never goes out of rhythm. It's the same throw by throw. I just had to find the rhythm to try and match him.
'I'll be watching the semi-final. I'm sure, I'm sure they're in for a treat. It's gonna be fireworks. But I'm just happy to win and progress to the semi-final.'
Today, 05:00 By Katherine Walsh
Luke of love
Luke Littler planted a kiss on new girlfriend Faith as the darts star continued his quest to become the youngest ever Triple Crown holder.
The world champion, 18, reached his first ever Winter Gardens semi-final after beating Andrew Gilding 16-14 in Blackpool on Friday night.
As the packed arena roared, and the tension built for his crucial clash, the camera panned to Littler making his grand entrance.
And his partner Faith Millar, 19, looked every inch the proud girlfriend.
Just before stepping on to the oche, Littler leaned in and gave Faith a tender smooch right there in front of thousands of screaming fans and millions watching live on TV.
Today, 03:00 By Craig Mahood
Latest odds
The winner of the tournament will come from the second semi final later tonight, the bookmakers reckon.
Luke Littler remains the odds-on favourite, but it's semi final opponent Josh Rock who is his nearest challenger in the betting markets.
Luke Littler 8/11
Josh Rock 11/4
Jonny Clayton 5/1
James Wade 8/1
Today, 01:00 By Craig Mahood
Fish caught
We've been made to wait for the big fish in Blackpool.
There has been at least one thrown every year since 2016 and it was getting to the stage we thought it might never happen.
Step forward Gerwyn Price. Though it's very, very little consolation in a night he lost to Josh Rock!
By Craig Mahood
Close friends
We've waited a while for a Luke Littler vs Josh Rock match-up and we finally get it on Saturday night.
On that match-up, Rock told Sky Sports: "It's finally happened so the whole world will be watching that game tomorrow night.
"Littler is one of my close friends behind the scenes. We're texting each other all the time so I hope we're not too respectful and we both turn up. It's going to be a cracking game.
"Me and Littler are very, very close."
25th Jul 2025, 23:20 By Craig Mahood
World Matchplay darts 2025
Semi final line-up
James Wade vs Jonny Clayton
Luke Littler vs Josh Rock
25th Jul 2025, 23:00 By Craig Mahood
Rock buzzing
A delighted Josh Rock told Sky Sports: "Wow! What a game. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Just kept plugging away playing your own game.
"Gezzy didn't let me off. I just had to come out that [last] session and wake up.
"The form Gezzy has been in lately, you know what to expect. That was a tough game."
25th Jul 2025, 22:54 By Craig Mahood
What a finish!
Sensational from Josh Rock, really, really good.
Sporting from Gerwyn Price as the pair share a long hug and a chat after Rock's wild celebration.
Huge performance.
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