World Series of Darts Finals 2026 Roundup | Ross Smith blasts ELEVEN 180s in 103.89 masterclass to destroy Gerwyn Price and end four-year wait for second major title
PDCSunday, 20 September 2026 at 22:25
Ross Smith is the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals champion after producing a superb display to beat Gerwyn Price 11-5 in Amsterdam and claim the second major title of his career.
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Almost four years on from his breakthrough European Championship triumph, Smith returned to the winners' circle on the televised major stage with a 103.89 average, 11 maximums and a devastating burst from 5-5 that completely took the final away from Price.
Price had been chasing his first major title since winning this same event in 2022, but a string of missed doubles in the second half of the final opened the door for Smith, who needed no second invitation.
How they reached the final
Smith had already seen off Kevin Doets and Daryl Gurney before beating Josh Rock 10-7 in the quarter-finals and ending Gian van Veen's home hopes 11-8 in the last four. Seven 180s helped him through that semi-final, with a 109 checkout and a crucial 68 finish keeping Van Veen at arm's length.
Price's route had been more emphatic. He survived Brody Klinge in the opening round, beat Jim Long 10-5 and then averaged 103 in a 10-7 quarter-final win over James Wade. Another 104.07 average followed against Jonny Clayton, with Price reeling off four straight legs from 6-6 on his way to an 11-7 semi-final victory.
That left Smith chasing a second major title and Price looking to end a four-year wait for another major crown at the same tournament where he had last lifted one.
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Smith blows Price away after final reaches 5-5
Smith opened with a solid hold of throw, but Price immediately settled into the contest, taking out 66 after a 180 set-up shot to level before repeating the same combination in the third leg to edge 2-1 ahead.
Smith answered straight away. Another 180 left 61, and a last-dart double nine secured the immediate break back before an 11-darter sent him into the first interval 3-2 ahead.
The scoring battle was already gathering pace. Smith continued to pepper the treble 20 after the break and had a chance to punish two missed Price darts at double 16 with a 136 checkout, only to wire double eight himself. Price took the reprieve and levelled at 3-3.
Smith moved back in front in the seventh, but also briefly got the Amsterdam crowd on his back after turning down the bullseye at 170 following two treble 20s. It mattered little as double 16 secured the leg.
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Two more maximums followed in the eighth and this time the pressure told. Price missed three darts to hold throw and Smith punished to establish the first two-leg cushion of the final at 5-3.
Price immediately threatened to undo the damage. He missed tops for a break at 5-3 but returned to pin the same target after Smith failed on double 16, before an 11-darter featuring two 180s brought the Welshman level at 5-5. That would be the last time the final was close.
Smith returned from the second interval with a brilliant 123 checkout on the bull while Price waited on a finish, then produced an even bigger moment in the following leg.
Price narrowly missed the bull for 164 and Smith stepped forward to take out 127 on double eight, moving 7-5 ahead with two huge checkouts in successive legs. A 45 finish stretched the run to three before Price began to unravel on the outer ring.
Smith fired in his 11th maximum in leg 14, but Price still reached tops first. He missed. Smith then missed double 16 himself, only for Price to return and somehow waste another three darts at double 20. Smith finally punished with his last dart at double eight to break again for 9-5.
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The finishing problems continued in the next leg. Smith initially missed two darts from 82, but Price again failed to take advantage with another two misses at tops. Double four moved Smith to within one leg of the title.
Price was given one final chance to stay alive at 10-5, but another dart at tops went begging. Smith had been ruthless whenever those opportunities arrived and made no mistake with 48, taking it out in two darts on double 16 to seal an 11-5 victory and spark the celebrations.
SMITH WINS THE WORLD SERIES FINALS! 🌍👑
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 20, 2026
Ross Smith wins a maiden World Series of Darts Finals title and second Premier event of his career, defeating Gerwyn Price 11-5 after averaging almost 104 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U4eHg8W1Oo
The 103.89 average and 11 maximums underlined the quality of the performance, but the real damage came after the final had reached 5-5. Smith won six consecutive legs from that point, turning what had been a high-quality contest into a commanding victory. Four years after becoming European champion, Smith is a major winner again.
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Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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