Luke Humphries’ journey at the 2026 World Darts Championship was halted by Gian van Veen’s exceptional performance at Alexandra Palace. Van Veen, seeded tenth in this year’s tournament, dominated against the 2024 champion Humphries, who faced defeat for the fifth consecutive time in their encounter.
Following his victory over Humphries, Van Veen secures a semi-final showdown with Gary Anderson and ascends to the provisional world number three spot, now the leading Dutch player after Michael van Gerwen’s recent elimination from the competition.
The semi-final matchups are set, featuring Van Veen against Anderson and Luke Littler against Ryan Searle. Littler, expressing confidence after defeating Krzysztof Ratajski, predicted a tough battle between Van Veen and Humphries, ultimately tipping in favor of the Dutch player.
In the post-match interview, Van Veen exuded happiness, stating, “I am ecstatic about this win. My performance today was exceptional, as reflected in my 105 average. It’s a feeling beyond words.” Acknowledging Humphries’ talent, Van Veen emphasized the need to be at one’s best to compete against him.
Looking ahead to the semi-final clash with Anderson, Van Veen expressed his excitement, calling Anderson his childhood hero and eagerly anticipating the match.
Sky has announced a significant price reduction on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming 2025/26 season, offering savings of £336 and access to over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL, and more. With a commitment to showcase at least 215 live Premier League games this season, Sky is set to deliver an enhanced viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.