Luke Littler capped an extraordinary title defense at the World Matchplay Darts with a commanding 18-9 triumph over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool, delivering a performance that will be remembered for years to come. The 19‑year‑old prodigy posted an astonishing average of 111.53, hit twelve 180s and recorded six finishes exceeding 100 points, cementing his place as only the fourth player ever to clinch consecutive World Matchplay crowns.
From the outset the match seemed destined to be a one‑sided affair. Littler surged ahead to an 11-3 lead, a margin that appeared even larger than the final scoreline suggested. 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.
The young Englishman’s consistency was remarkable – he averaged 109 or higher 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. Littler didn’t just break the existing record; he surpassed his own benchmark for the most 180s in a single World Matchplay. The victory also extended his lead at the top of the PDC Order of Merit, allowing him to reclaim the Phil Taylor Trophy and the £225,000 first‑place prize.
In doing so, he crossed the £3 million earnings threshold for the season, bolstering his ambition to win every ranked major in a calendar year. Ahead of the final, Price had boasted that he could beat Littler with his “A‑game”, but the so‑called “Ice Man” could not match the youngster’s precision on the historic stage. The opening three legs went with the throw, after which Littler produced a spectacular 167 checkout – his first bullseye finish of the tournament – followed by a 110 finish to take a 4‑1 lead, even as Price averaged over 109 in that short spell. Littler then added back‑to‑back 11‑dart legs, and when Price held his throw in the next leg, Littler answered with another ton‑plus finish, taking the lead to 6‑2.
The world number one then unleashed a flurry of high‑scoring brilliance, posting 128 and 127 finishes and completing a four‑leg streak in just 47 darts, which pushed the gap to 11‑3. Price attempted a comeback, winning a few consecutive legs, but Littler’s momentum was unstoppable.
The 19‑year‑old’s late‑stage surge was decisive. He hit a dazzling 148 checkout and then broke Price’s throw in the following leg. To seal the win, Littler finished on an 81 finish that landed squarely on the bullseye, a fitting end to a historic performance. The result marked Littler’s tenth straight victory over Price and his 28th consecutive win in PDC major matches that extend beyond 20 legs – a streak that began at 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”. He admitted that while the statistics made the win look effortless, the pressure of the stage was intense: “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.
I feel like it is the best version of myself – I have just been playing so well!” Price, meanwhile, praised his opponent, calling Littler “one in a million”. He acknowledged missed opportunities and highlighted the early 167 checkout as a turning point: “If anyone wants to boo this kid there is something wrong with them. He is fantastic for this sport.
I wish he wasn’t as good as he was, because I would have won a couple more tournaments. 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!” Looking ahead, the next PDC‑ranked TV major is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, scheduled for 28 September‑4 October at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena and broadcast live on Sky Sports. Littler will return as the defending champion after last year’s victory over Luke Humphries in the double‑in, double‑out format. The Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (14‑22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January) will also be streamed on Sky Sports, giving Littler further opportunities to defend his titles and continue his quest for a clean sweep of the season’s major events.
Littler’s dominant performance in Blackpool not only reinforces his status as the sport’s brightest star but also sends a clear message to his rivals: the era of his supremacy is well underway, and anyone hoping to challenge him will need to bring their very best to the oche.