In the sun-soaked arenas of the Bahrain Darts Masters, Gerwyn Price reminded everyone why he’s known as one of darts’ most entertaining and outspoken characters. The Welsh “Iceman” produced a dominant performance on Friday, January 16, 2026, dismantling teenage sensation and world champion Luke Littler 6-2 in the quarter-finals. This emphatic win not only ended Littler’s remarkable 21-match winning streak in televised events—spanning nearly three months—but also marked the second consecutive year Price has knocked the young star out at this Middle Eastern exhibition event.
Price’s clinical display saw him reel off five consecutive legs after an early exchange, leaving Littler struggling to find his rhythm. The world No. 1 managed just two legs, with the match highlighting Price’s superior finishing and composure under pressure. Adding to the day’s drama, world No. 2 Luke Humphries also crashed out early, surrendering a 3-1 lead in a 6-3 defeat to Nathan Aspinall. The upsets cleared the path for an unexpected final lineup, pitting Michael van Gerwen against Gian van Veen.
Despite his strong showing, Price couldn’t carry the momentum into the semi-finals. He fell 7-2 to the evergreen Michael van Gerwen, who went on to claim the title in a thrilling 8-6 final against van Veen. The young Dutchman mounted an impressive comeback from 6-2 down but couldn’t quite overhaul the five-time world champion, finishing as runner-up for the second tournament in a row after his World Championship defeat to Littler earlier this month.
Ever the showman, Price didn’t let his exit dampen his spirits. True to form, he took to Instagram Stories to share his thoughts in characteristically sharp, tongue-in-cheek style. “Gutted to lose there, didn’t feel good all night, gonna stop and watch the Luke-Luke final though,” he posted, playfully referring to the anticipated—but ultimately unrealized—clash between Littler and Humphries that many fans had hyped up. The sarcastic quip highlighted the irony of both “Lukes” exiting early, leaving the final to other contenders, and it quickly sparked reactions across the darts community.
The post, dripping with cynicism, poked fun at the narrative that the sport’s spotlight had been overly focused on the two young stars. Price’s humor underscored how unpredictable darts can be, even when favorites dominate headlines. But as some fans took the banter a bit too seriously, generating heated responses, the 40-year-old quickly followed up to clarify his intentions. “Don’t bite. I’m joking it’s called banter,” he added, complete with crying laughter emojis and kisses, diffusing the tension while reinforcing his love for stirring the pot.
This episode is classic Price—blunt, entertaining, and never afraid to engage with the game’s evolving landscape. While he has previously praised Littler effusively, calling him “levels above” everyone else after facing him in past encounters, his latest social media antics show he enjoys keeping rivals and fans on their toes. The Bahrain event, with its exotic setting and high-profile upsets, delivered plenty of talking points, but Price’s post-match commentary stole much of the post-tournament buzz.
As the PDC circuit rolls on toward more major events, including the upcoming Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, moments like these highlight the personality-driven drama that makes darts so compelling. Price’s cheeky dig served as a reminder that behind the arrows and averages, there’s always room for a bit of rivalry-fueled fun. Whether it’s ending winning streaks or firing off witty one-liners, Gerwyn Price continues to prove he’s as much a part of the sport’s entertainment as any trophy lift.
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