Luke Littler described his remarkable defence of the World Matchplay title as "one of the best weeks of my life" after delivering a record‑shattering 18‑9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. The 19‑year‑old’s performance was nothing short of historic, as he set and broke a succession of benchmarks throughout the tournament, cementing his status as the sport's brightest young star. The week began with an impressive 109 average in his opening match against Niko Springer, a figure that already signalled serious intent. Littler then elevated his game even further, posting a 113 average and throwing a perfect nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall, a feat that left spectators and commentators alike in awe.
He continued his relentless march with a 109 average against Josh Rock, before dismantling Dirk van Duijvenbode in the semi‑finals, showcasing a blend of consistency and explosive scoring that few have managed at his age. In the final, Littler became the first player in ten years to retain the World Matchplay crown at the Winter Gardens, defeating Gerwyn Price while simultaneously rewriting the tournament's statistical record books. His 111.53 average smashed the previous scoring record set by the legendary Phil Taylor in 2010, underlining how far the young Englishman has progressed. The performance also saw him hit six finishes over 100 points and a personal best of 66 maximum 180s across the week, eclipsing his own prior tournament record.
Beyond the numbers, Littler crossed the £3 million earnings threshold during his run, a milestone that fuels his ambition to capture every ranked major in a single calendar year. "It has been a crazy week – it has been one of the best weeks of my life," he told Sky Sports. "The darts I have played – it has not been easy. The stats may look like it is easy but when you are on this stage, it is hot, it is not easy.
I have played some of the best darts of my life." Reflecting on his journey, Littler recalled a disappointing first‑round loss to Michael van Gerwen two years earlier, contrasting it with his current dominance. "Two years ago, I had that first‑round defeat to Michael which was not the best result. The last two years, I have come here with the family and we have done it again. It is definitely, I feel like it is the best version of myself.
I have just been playing so well," he explained. Looking ahead, Littler said that if he successfully defends his World Matchplay title, his next objective will be to compete on the Pro Tour in order to chase a clean sweep of all major titles, which would also require defending his Players Championship Finals win in Minehead. Consequently, his schedule now includes a trip to Leicester rather than the originally planned outing to Spain.
"I don't think my dad is too happy because we were meant to be going to Spain but now we will be going to Leicester for some Pro Tours," he laughed, adding that the pressure will remain intense regardless of qualification outcomes. 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 enters as the defending champion after last year’s victory 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‑3 January) will also be aired on Sky Sports, offering Littler further opportunities to retain his titles and edge closer to a historic calendar‑year sweep. In summary, Littler's week at the World Matchplay was a masterclass in precision, stamina, and mental fortitude. He not only defended his crown but also set new standards for scoring averages, 180 counts, and overall earnings.
His remarks convey a blend of humility and confidence, acknowledging the difficulty of performing under pressure while celebrating the personal significance of the achievements. As he shifts focus to upcoming Pro Tour events and the next batch of televised majors, the darts world will be watching closely to see whether the young champion can continue to rewrite the record books and fulfill his ambition of dominating every major tournament in a single season.