Luke Littler capped an extraordinary title defence at the World Matchplay Darts with a commanding 18-9 triumph over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. The 19‑year‑old produced a staggering 111.53 three‑dart average and rattled off 12 maximums, delivering a display that left the 2022 runner‑up struggling to keep pace.
Littler also recorded six finishes of 100 or more in the high‑scoring final, joining an elite trio of players who have ever managed back‑to‑back World Matchplay crowns. The match appeared destined to be even more one‑sided when Littler surged ahead to an 11-3 lead. Price, who averaged an impressive 104.97 throughout the tournament, fought valiantly but ultimately suffered his second runner‑up finish in four years. Throughout his flawless week at the Winter Gardens, Littler maintained an average of at least 109 in each of his five matches, shattering the tournament scoring record that Phil Taylor set back in 2010.
His relentless consistency has kept him on a perfect run of winning every PDC televised major in 2026. In addition to breaking the overall scoring record, Littler eclipsed his own benchmark for the most 180s in a single event. The victory also extended his lead at the summit of the PDC Order of Merit, as he reclaimed the Phil Taylor Trophy and pocketed the £225,000 first‑place prize.
His earnings topped the £3 million mark during his march to the final, bolstering his ambition to capture every ranked major within a calendar year. Price entered the final confident, insisting before the match that he could outplay Littler when he was at his "A‑game". The so‑called "Ice Man" never got close to matching his opponent’s precision in what became a historic showdown. 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 checkout to hold throw and take a 4‑1 lead, despite Price averaging over 109 in that short spell.
Littler continued to pile on the pressure, delivering back‑to‑back 11‑dart legs and responding to Price’s brief hold of throw with a third ton‑plus finish within the first nine legs. A spectacular scoring burst saw the world No. 1 hit 128 and 127 finishes, using just 47 darts to secure a dominant four‑leg run that pushed the score to 11‑3. Price attempted a comeback, winning successive legs, but Littler’s momentum proved too strong.
Even as Price stayed within six legs of the lead, Littler unleashed another late‑stage surge, hitting a dazzling 148 checkout before breaking Price’s throw in the following leg. He then sealed the match with an 81 finish on the bullseye, confirming a historic victory in style. The win marked Littler’s tenth consecutive triumph over Price and his 28th straight win in PDC major matches that extend beyond 20 legs – a streak that dates back to the 2024 World Championship final.
The world No. 1’s record‑breaking performance sent a clear warning to his rivals as the season progresses. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Littler described the experience as "one of the best weeks of my life".
He acknowledged the pressure of the big stage, noting that the statistics might suggest an easy win, but the reality of performing under intense lights is far from simple. "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 young opponent, calling Littler "one in a million".
He admitted that a few missed chances and the early 167 checkout were pivotal moments. "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," Price joked, before conceding that Littler’s finishing was "effortless" and expressing a mix of admiration and disappointment.
Looking ahead, the next PDC televised major is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, set for 28 September to 4 October at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, where Littler will defend his title after beating Luke Humphries in the previous year’s 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 broadcast on Sky Sports, with Littler aiming to retain his crowns in both events.
The upcoming schedule promises more high‑stakes darts action, and fans will be watching closely to see if anyone can halt Littler’s remarkable run.