Luke Littler described his extraordinary performance at the World Matchplay as "one of the best weeks of my life" after he produced a record‑shattering 18‑9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. The 19‑year‑old’s run through the tournament was marked by a succession of statistical milestones that have rarely been seen in the sport. Littler began his campaign with a stunning 109 average in his opening match against Niko Springer, immediately signalling that he was in exceptional form.
He then elevated his game even further in the next round, posting a 113 average and hitting a perfect nine‑dart finish against Nathan Aspinall – a combination that placed him among an elite group of players capable of delivering such high‑scoring consistency on a big stage. A further 109 average came in his encounter with Josh Rock, after which Littler faced Dirk van Duijvenbode in the semi‑finals. In that match he dominated, cruising to a decisive win that set up a final against the seasoned Gerwyn Price.
In the championship match, Littler became the first player in ten years to retain the World Matchplay title at the historic Winter Gardens. His 111.53 average not only secured the victory but also eclipsed the previous tournament scoring record set by Phil Taylor in 2010. By doing so, Littler continued his streak of winning every PDC televised major in the 2026 season.
Beyond the average, Littler’s statistical output was extraordinary. 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 week. These numbers underscore the relentless scoring power he displayed throughout the event. Financially, the triumph pushed Littler past the £3 million earnings threshold for the first time in his career, reinforcing his position as one of the sport’s most lucrative players and bolstering his ambition to capture every ranked major within a single calendar year.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final, Littler reflected on the intensity of the week: "It has been a crazy week – it has been one of the best weeks of my life. The darts I have played – it has not been easy.
It has been tough. 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." He also looked back on his earlier career, noting a stark contrast between a first‑round defeat to Michael van Gerwen two years ago and 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." Littler revealed that his focus now shifts to the Pro Tour, where he must defend his Players Championship Finals title in Minehead if he hopes to achieve a clean sweep of all major titles.
Consequently, his next destination is Leicester, rather than the originally planned trip to Spain, to compete in a series of Pro Tour events. "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 joked. "Coming into the tournament I had won every major so far so this is what I wanted to do. I have been checking the Pro Tour rankings.
I know there are four events in Leicester I have got to go to now. If I don't qualify I will get grilled, if I qualify I will get grilled anyway so who knows what is going to happen." Looking ahead, Littler’s schedule remains packed with high‑profile tournaments. The next televised PDC major is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, set for 28 September to 4 October at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, where he will defend the title he captured last year by beating 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 broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering Littler further opportunities to retain his crowns and cement his status as the sport’s leading figure. Overall, Littler’s World Matchplay defence not only added another trophy to his growing collection but also rewrote the record books, highlighted his remarkable consistency, and set the stage for an ambitious pursuit of a historic calendar‑year sweep of all major titles. His performance will be remembered as a benchmark of excellence in darts history, and fans can expect him to continue challenging the limits of the game in the months ahead.