Sky Sports Darts analyst Mark Webster hailed Luke Littler’s triumph at the World Matchplay as arguably the most impressive major campaign ever witnessed in the sport. By cruising to a decisive 18‑9 victory over Gerwyn Price in the final, Littler not only secured the title but also set a new benchmark for excellence, posting a staggering 111.53 average – the highest ever recorded in a Matchplay final.
Littler’s week in Blackpool was historic on several fronts. He eclipsed his own record for the most 180s hit during a single tournament, raising the tally from 64 in 2025 to an astonishing 66 in 2026. The win also placed him among a very exclusive club: only the fourth player in the event’s history to claim back‑to‑back titles, and the first to do so in a decade. This achievement keeps his ambition alive to sweep every major trophy on the calendar within a single season.
The young phenom already boasts an enviable collection of major crowns – the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League, the Masters, and now the Matchplay. He enters the latter half of the year as the defending champion in the Grand Slam, the Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals, while also eyeing a European Championship win that would give him possession of every premier title on offer. Webster was emphatic that Littler’s performance at the Matchplay represents the greatest major display in darts history and signals that the world number one is edging ever closer to the once‑unthinkable feat of holding all major trophies simultaneously. “I keep asking myself – what can the other players cling to now?
Where is the weakness? What do they have to do to stay competitive?” Webster asked. “He is playing fantastically at the moment, forcing his opponents into errors. It’s a recipe for domination.” The commentary repeatedly highlighted Littler’s relentless pursuit of personal benchmarks.
“The tournament average has been on his mind all week. He’s setting a challenge inside a challenge for himself,” Webster noted.
“Winning a major is massive, but he keeps adding micro‑goals within that victory. Soon we’ll see him leaving 170s on the board because he’s simply outclassing his competition.” Webster praised Littler’s mental state, describing it as “completely dominant.” He added that Littler trusts every aspect of his game and that observers must admire his confidence. “We might think he can’t get any better, but he’ll keep pushing. He craves higher tournament averages and has the will to win,” the pundit said.
“Statistically, a 111 average across a major is extraordinary – it will be a benchmark that future players will strive to eclipse.” Looking ahead, Webster speculated that Littler could indeed capture every major in 2026. “I half‑expect it. I don’t see where you could stop him – perhaps the European Championship or the Players Championship? I’m just throwing possibilities out there.
It will be tough for everyone else.” For rivals, the message is clear: to even approach Littler’s level, they will need to establish entirely new standards. “His performance sends a signal to the rest of the pack about the level required to be competitive,” Webster explained. “Every player who participated will take stock of what happened.” He cited specific competitors, noting that Luke Humphries, after a first‑round exit, will need to refocus, while Michael van Gerwen, now surprisingly ranked seventh in the world, must regroup after a strong finish to the year. “Van Gerwen was a World Championship finalist two years ago, so there’s still money and pride on the line.
After each tournament, players must evaluate their game, identify areas for improvement, and prepare for the crucial phase of the season.” Littler’s last defeat in a major that extended beyond 20 legs came at the hands of Luke Humphries at the 2024 World Darts Championship, underscoring how dominant he has become. Webster believes that to halt what appears to be an inevitable march, opponents will need to raise their game dramatically, perhaps by introducing new training methods or strategic innovations.
The upcoming PDC‑ranked television majors will test Littler’s resolve. The BoyleSports World Grand Prix returns from September 28 to October 4 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, where Littler will defend his title after last year’s victory in the double‑in, double‑out format.
Later, the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (November 14‑22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10‑January 3) will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports, providing further opportunities for Littler to retain his crowns. Fans can stay updated via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, analysis and more.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Luke Littler, whose relentless pursuit of perfection continues to reshape the standards of professional darts.