Luke Littler arrived in Blackpool in 2026 carrying the weight of a defending champion, and he has already begun to exceed every expectation that was placed on his young shoulders. While a nine‑dart finish on the World Matchplay stage would normally be the headline of any player’s career, for Littler it is merely the opening chapter of a much larger story. From the moment he stepped onto the oche, the statistics surrounding his performance have been nothing short of astonishing.
His averages have consistently hovered in the low‑110s, with a remarkable 113 average recorded in one of his recent matches, before settling back to a still‑impressive 109. Such numbers are rarely seen outside the very elite tier of the sport, and they underscore a scoring power that seems to be growing with each round.
Littler himself appears unfazed by the spotlight. "I feel really good up on the stage," he said after a recent victory. "The preparations have gone smoothly – a little bit of practice, a lot of relaxation, and then more practice again. It’s a privilege to perform on the biggest stages in darts." He added that his confidence is rooted in his consistency: "When you can keep an average around 109, push it up to 113 and still finish strong, you know the scoring power is there.
As long as I can keep it up, I’m confident I’ll dominate. The next game, I’ll aim to bring those 113s back." The next hurdle for Littler will be a clash with Dutch contender Dirk van Duijvenbode, who has been tasked with halting the English prodigy’s momentum.
Up to this point, Littler’s win over Rock marked his 27th consecutive match victory that extended beyond the standard 20‑leg threshold – a streak that illustrates both his stamina and his ability to thrive under extended pressure. Beyond the immediate match‑up, Littler is chasing a historic achievement: becoming the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2016 to claim back‑to‑back titles at the Blackpool World Matchplay. Van Gerwen’s 2016 double remains a benchmark for consistency and dominance in the sport, and Littler’s pursuit of that feat places him in rarefied company.
The current world number one already holds an impressive collection of major titles, including the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League, and the Masters. He is also the defending champion of the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix, and the Players Championship Finals, underscoring the breadth of his success across the darts calendar. Sky Sports Darts analyst Mark Webster summed up Littler’s performance with a succinct but powerful endorsement: "Good luck," he said, directing his words to van Duijvenbode as they prepare for Saturday’s showdown.
Webster continued, "He can play in spells. I say spells because he’s been doing it all tournament. I was delighted for Josh because it was an improved performance and a 101 average but he lost by nine legs, so it just shows how good Littler is." He praised Littler’s composure, noting, "He looks comfortable in every scenario. Good luck to Dirk on Saturday.
It’s a 111 tournament average. He’s played almost 60 legs. He’s just too good! He’s focused and relaxed.
He’s by far the best player in the world. It’s frightening form." The quarter‑finals will continue to be broadcast live from 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Fans can also expect a repeat encounter between Gian van Veen and James Wade, marking their second consecutive year meeting in the quarter‑finals. Wade, currently ranked world number 3, will be looking to avenge his 2025 loss to "The Machine".
In another quarter‑final, Gerwyn Price will take on Ross Smith. Smith earned his place after Cameron Menzies was forced to withdraw from their second‑round match due to illness, granting Smith a walk‑over into the last eight. The broader question looming over the tournament is who will ultimately lift the World Matchplay trophy this year.
While many eyes are on the seasoned veterans, all signs point to Luke Littler defending his title with a blend of youthful vigor and seasoned precision. Viewers can follow every dart thrown on Sky Sports, and the action is also available for streaming through NOW, which offers live coverage of darts alongside a host of other top‑level sports. Littler’s journey in Blackpool is more than a personal quest; it is a narrative about the evolution of a player who, at just a few years into his professional career, is already reshaping the standards of excellence in darts.
His ability to maintain high averages across long matches, his composure under the glare of massive crowds, and his relentless drive to add another historic title to his résumé all contribute to a storyline that feels both fresh and timeless. As the tournament progresses, the darts community will be watching closely, not just to see if Littler can repeat his triumph, but to witness the unfolding of what may become a new era of dominance in the sport.