James Wade and Luke Littler will go head-to-head in a clash of the generations in Sunday’s Betfred World Matchplay final in Blackpool.
Following eight days of compelling drama at the Winter Gardens, the sport’s biggest young star will take on one of the all-time greats for the right to lift the iconic Phil Taylor Trophy.
Wade – featuring in his 20th consecutive World Matchplay campaign – reached the final on debut in 2006, six months before Littler was even born.
The left-hander then clinched the title 12 months later with victory over Terry Jenkins, and he’s since competed in a further five finals – the most recent of those appearances coming a decade ago.
However, Wade has rolled back the years at the Empress Ballroom, defeating Joe Cullen, Wessel Nijman, Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton to close in on a historic triumph.
The 42-year-old is bidding to become the fourth player to win multiple World Matchplay titles, following in the footsteps of Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Rod Harrington.
Speaking ahead of his semi-final tie against Jonny Clayton, Wade was bullish about his status in the sport, and his performances over the last seven days have provided suitable vindication.
“I’m probably one of the best dart players that’s walked the planet in the last 20 years,” declared Wade, who is without a televised ranking title since his UK Open success in 2021.
“Everyone forgets that 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.”
Wade will compete in his second ranking final of the campaign on Sunday, having also finished runner-up to Littler in March’s UK Open.
The Aldershot veteran was beaten 11-2 on that occasion, although he will be buoyed by his performance against 2023 runner-up Clayton in an astonishing semi-final.
Clayton reeled off six consecutive legs from 16-10 adrift to force a tie-break, only for Wade – aided by a brace of 161 checkouts – to close out a 20-18 victory in the longest semi-final ever staged in Blackpool.
“I was so happy to win that game," said Wade, who averaged 101.79 across 38 legs of intense battle.
"I think that goes up there with some of the best games ever - I'm ecstatic, tired, exhausted and really happy.
"I think I should have won by a margin but I also nearly threw it away.
“I lost focus and I probably should have sorted it out a lot quicker - but I managed to hang on, and now I’m in the final!”
Wade has revelled in the role of the underdog throughout this year’s tournament, and he will once again be the outsider on Sunday, with Littler heavily fancied to join the World Matchplay roll of honour.
The 18-year-old averaged just shy of 109 in his opening round demolition of Ryan Searle, although since then, he’s been subjected to gruelling battles against Jermaine Wattimena, Andrew Gilding and Josh Rock respectively.
Littler trailed Wattimena 7-2 in round two, and after fending off a spirited fightback from Gilding in the last eight, he overturned a 6-1 deficit to win a record-breaking semi-final showdown with Rock.
The World Champion averaged 107 and landed fifteen 180s on his way to a 17-14 success over the Northern Irishman, having also produced a staggering nine-dart finish which sparked the fightback.
Littler is now aiming to become the youngest ever winner of the World Matchplay, a record currently held by Wade, who was 24 years old when he joined the winner’s circle in Blackpool.
“Now I’m here, and now I’m in the final, it’s all eyes on that trophy,” admitted Littler,
“It’s been a while since I’ve picked up a trophy as a winner or a runner-up, but I won’t be putting pressure on myself.
“Obviously I got the win against James at the UK Open, so I know the feeling of getting a major win over him, but he’s been here so many times.
“He’s so experienced, and he’s still one of the very best. James is playing some unreal darts at the moment; he's really found his top form.
“It will all come down to who performs better on the day, but I’m sure it will be a great game.”
The Betfred World Matchplay is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2025 Betfred World Matchplay
Final
James Wade v Luke Littler
Best of 35 legs