World Darts Championship live: Luke Littler faces Ryan Searle in first semi-final before Van Veen v Anderson
Littler faces Ryan Searle before Gian van Veen plays Gary Anderson in the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship
Luke Littler has his eye on a third consecutive World Darts Championship final appearance when he takes on Ryan Searle in the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament tonight.
Littler blazed into the the final four in superb fashion with a 5-0 victory over Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski but faces one of the most in-form players of the competition so far. Searle, who has a debilitating eye condition, defeated Jonny Clayton 5-2 in the quarter-finals but hadn’t previously lost a set during this campaign.
“I’ve always been watching the darts throughout the tournament and I saw how he got on this afternoon,” Littler said of Searle following his victory on Thursday. “I’m the next man in his way and he’s in the way for me.”
In the other semi-final the resurgent Gary Anderson faces rising star Gian van Veen after the 23-year-old Dutchman swept past former champion Luke Humphries 5-1.
Follow all the latest action from Alexandra Palace with our live blog below:
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Littler (3) *1-0 (1) Searle
Littler comes straight out of the gate with 174 and 180 in his first three visits. It’s an 11-dart leg.
*denotes next thrower
Luke Littler wins the fourth set! Littler (3) 3-0 (1) Searle
Littler takes out 110 to win the leg and the set! He’s halfway to the final, as they walk off stage for another brief break.
Littler (2) *2-0 (1) Searle
“Cummon!” shouts Littler as he hits double nine with his third dart to win another leg.
Littler (2) 1-0* (1) Searle
More 180s from both players, but Littler quickly takes down this first leg of the fourth set.
Luke Littler wins the third set! Littler (2) 3-2 (1) Searle
Oh, Ryan! At a crucial moment his throw deserts him with a terrible opening visit. He records a 180 to get himself back in the leg, but errs once more and at the last and allows Littler to finish it off.
Littler (1) 2-2* (1) Searle
Littler hits a 180 and then ignores a potential bull finish – to light boos from the crowd – to set himself up for tops, which he hits first time. Decider...
Littler (1) *1-2 (1) Searle
Ryan Searle registers his first 180 of the match, and wraps up the leg with double 10 after missing tops. His finishing has been outstanding so far – six from eight.
Littler (1) 1-1* (1) Searle
Littler picks off tops with a comfortable leg to level this third set.
Littler (1) *0-1 (1) Searle
Searle wins the first leg, taking out double eight with Littler nowhere close to a finish.
*denotes next thrower
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