Luke Littler described his historic defence of the World Matchplay title as "one of the best weeks of my life" after he produced a staggering 18‑9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. The win capped a whirlwind campaign in which the 19‑year‑old shattered record after record, cementing his status as the sport's brightest young star. The week began with a superb performance against Niko Springer, where Littler posted a 109 average – an impressive figure for any player, let alone a teenager making his debut at this level.
He then raised the bar even higher in his match against Nathan Aspinall, delivering a 113 average and a perfect nine‑dart finish that left the crowd in awe. Not content with resting on those achievements, Littler followed up with a 109 average against Josh Rock, before delivering a dominant display in the semi‑finals, dismantling Dirk van Duijvenbode and securing his place in the final. In the championship match, Littler became the first player in ten years to retain the World Matchplay crown at the iconic Winter Gardens. He out‑classed Gerwyn Price, posting an astonishing 111.53 average – a new tournament record that eclipsed Phil Taylor's long‑standing mark from 2010.
The performance not only underscored Littler's consistency but also continued his streak of winning every PDC televised major in 2026. Beyond the averages, Littler's scoring power was on full display.
He recorded six finishes of 100 points or more and smashed his own tournament record for 180s, hitting a total of 66 maximums over the course of the event. Financially, the run propelled him past the £3 million earnings threshold, bringing him closer to the elusive goal of sweeping every ranked major in a single calendar year.
When asked by Sky Sports about his feelings, Littler said, "It has been a crazy week – it has been one of the best weeks of my life. The darts I have played have not been easy.
The stats might make it look simple, but performing on this stage is intense, the heat is on, and nothing is easy. I have thrown some of the best darts of my career." Reflecting on his journey, he added, "Two years ago I suffered a first‑round defeat to Michael, which was a tough result. In the last two years I've come here with my family, and we've done it again.
I feel like I'm the best version of myself right now – I've just been playing incredibly well." Looking ahead, Littler explained that defending his World Matchplay title means his next priority will be the Pro Tour, where he hopes to continue his clean‑sweep ambitions. He revealed that his schedule will now shift from a planned trip to Spain to a series of events in Leicester, where four Pro Tour tournaments await. "My dad isn’t thrilled – we were supposed to go to Spain, but now we head to Leicester for the Pro Tours," he joked.
He also noted the pressure that comes with qualification: "If I don’t qualify I’ll get grilled, and if I do qualify I’ll still get grilled, so who knows what will happen." Regardless, Littler remains focused, having already secured victories in every major he entered this year. The next major on the PDC calendar is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, set for 28 September to 4 October at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester and broadcast live on Sky Sports. Littler returns as the defending champion after last year’s dramatic win over Luke Humphries in the double‑in, double‑out format. Following that, the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (14‑22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December to 3 January) will also be shown on Sky Sports, giving Littler further opportunities to retain his titles.
Overall, Littler’s week in Blackpool was a masterclass in precision, composure, and relentless scoring. By breaking the tournament average record, topping his own 180 tally, and securing a massive financial windfall, he has not only etched his name into darts history but also set the stage for what could become a historic year of dominance across all major events. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as he heads to Leicester and beyond, eager to see whether the young prodigy can complete the coveted clean‑sweep and solidify his place among the sport’s legends.