Luke Littler wrapped up an extraordinary title defence at the World Matchplay Darts with a commanding 18-9 triumph over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool, cementing his status as one of the sport's rising superstars. The 19‑year‑old posted an astonishing average of 111.53, rattled off twelve 180s and recorded six finishes of 100 points or more, a performance that placed him in elite company as only the fourth player ever to claim consecutive World Matchplay titles.
The match appeared destined to be even more lopsided when Littler surged ahead to an 11-3 lead. Price, who had averaged a respectable 104.97 throughout the tournament and was the runner‑up in 2022, fought valiantly but ultimately suffered his second runner‑up finish in four years. Littler's consistency was remarkable: he maintained an average of at least 109 in each of his five matches at the Winter Gardens, shattering the tournament’s scoring record that had stood since Phil Taylor set it in 2010.
By doing so, he continued his flawless run of winning every PDC televised major in the 2026 calendar. In addition to the trophy and the £225,000 first‑place prize, Littler reclaimed the Phil Taylor Trophy and pushed his career earnings past the £3 million mark during his march to the final. His record for the most 180s in a single World Matchplay event was broken once again, and the victory bolstered his ambition to sweep every ranked major within a single year. Price entered the final confident, insisting before the match that he could defeat Littler if he played his "A‑game." The so‑called "Ice Man" never got close to that level on the day.
The opening three legs went with the throw, after which Littler produced a sensational 167 checkout – his first bullseye finish of the tournament – followed by a 110 finish to hold throw and establish a 4‑1 lead, even as Price was averaging over 109 in that short spell. Littler then added two consecutive 11‑dart legs, extending his dominance. He responded to Price’s brief hold of throw by hitting a third ton‑plus finish within the first nine legs, and soon after unleashed a blistering scoring burst that left the audience in awe. The world number one recorded finishes of 128 and 127, and required just 47 darts to complete a four‑leg streak that pushed the score to 11‑3.
Price tried to claw back, winning a handful of legs in succession, but Littler remained unflappable. The young champion produced a dazzling 148 checkout, broke Price’s throw in the next leg, and then sealed the match with an 81 finish on the bullseye.
The win marked Littler’s tenth straight victory over Price and his 28th consecutive win in PDC major matches that extended beyond 20 legs – a streak that traces back to the 2024 World Championship final. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Littler described the week as "crazy" and "one of the best weeks of my life," emphasizing that the statistics may suggest ease, but the pressure of the stage makes every dart a challenge.
"I have played some of the best darts of my life. I feel like it is the best version of myself – I have just been playing so well!" he added. Price, meanwhile, praised his opponent, calling Littler "one in a million" and acknowledging that missed opportunities and the early 167 checkout swung the momentum. He joked that anyone who booed the young champion must have something wrong with them, and lamented that Littler’s brilliance made it harder for him to claim more titles.
"I probably could have pinched a few more legs, but his finishing was just effortless. I hope there is nobody else like him coming through, because he is ridiculous! It was a great week for me but I am a little bit gutted," Price admitted.
Looking ahead, the next PDC‑ranked televised major is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, scheduled for 28 September to 4 October at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena and broadcast live on Sky Sports. Littler will return as defending champion after last year’s victory over Luke Humphries in the double‑in, double‑out format.
Further down the calendar, the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (14‑22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January) will also be shown on Sky Sports, giving Littler the chance to defend his titles in those events as well. For fans eager to keep up with the latest darts news, video highlights, analysis and more, Sky Sports offers a WhatsApp service and a streaming platform that requires no contract.
As the season progresses, rivals will be watching Littler’s historic run closely, aware that his blend of scoring power, clinical finishing and mental composure could set a new benchmark for excellence in professional darts.