Luke Littler is confident that few opponents can match the form he displayed at the World Matchplay, and he is already setting his sights on completing a historic clean sweep of the 2026 major titles. The 19‑year‑old, who clinched the 2026 PDC World Championship earlier this year, turned heads in Blackpool by surpassing Phil Taylor’s legendary Matchplay average of 106.31, posting an astonishing 111.04.
When asked by Sky Sports during the unveiling of his new mural in his hometown of Warrington, Littler said, "I feel fantastic. With a performance like that, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping me. An average of 111 is simply extraordinary." Since the start of the 2026 season, the young English prodigy has amassed an impressive collection of PDC titles: the World Championship, the World Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup and now the World Matchplay.
If he continues on this trajectory, he could become the first player to capture all eight ranking events on the calendar in a single year – a feat that would rewrite the record books. Littler admitted that the possibility of a clean sweep is already on his mind as he begins to plan his schedule for the remainder of the season, starting with the crucial task of qualifying for the Players Championship Finals to defend his title there. "The clean sweep is definitely on my radar," he explained. "I can’t look too far ahead and say I’ll win the World Championship again – that’s still five or six months away.
Right now I’m focused on the tournaments that are coming up. I even have a two‑week holiday to Orlando starting tomorrow, which is a nice break, but the clean‑sweep goal remains front‑and‑centre." Littler also touched on his broader ambitions beyond the UK circuit.
"As long as I qualify for Minehead, whether I win the World Series, the European Tour events or any other tournament, everything is still up for grabs. It’s a packed end of the year, but we’ll see how it unfolds," he said. When asked how a clean sweep would rank among sporting achievements, Littler was unequivocal: "For darts, it would be up there with the greatest accomplishments. No one has ever done it before, and I love breaking records.
That’s what drives me." The mural unveiling was a celebratory moment for the Warrington community, occurring just four days after Littler’s dominant victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. The teenager signed his name on the massive artwork, posed for photos with fans, and even demonstrated his skill by playing a few darts in front of the gathered crowd. Despite the growing fame, Littler remains grounded both mentally and physically.
He described the mural as "very impressive," noting that he had only seen it a day or two before the ceremony. "I didn’t want to look at it at first, but they did a fantastic job. I’m really happy – someone even said you can see it from miles away because it’s that big and tall.
They originally wanted me to sit on the roof for the photo, but I refused; I preferred to stand on the pavement," he laughed. Looking ahead, Littler’s next competitive appearance will be on the Pro Tour in Leicester on August 25 and 26, where he will compete in Players Championship 27 and 28.
Those events will be crucial for securing his place at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead later in the year, a key stepping stone toward his clean‑sweep ambition. The 2026 darts season has already been a showcase of Littler’s extraordinary talent, consistency, and mental fortitude. His 111.04 average at the World Matchplay not only eclipsed a record set by one of the sport’s all‑time greats but also signaled a new era of dominance for a player still in his teens. As he continues to collect titles, the conversation among pundits, fellow players, and fans increasingly centers on whether he can truly achieve the unprecedented feat of winning every major ranking event in a single calendar year.
Beyond the statistics, Littler’s personality shines through his interactions with supporters and his humble approach to success. He acknowledges the pressure that comes with being a rising star but insists on staying focused on each match rather than getting ahead of himself.
"You have to take it one tournament at a time," he says. "Every night is a new challenge, and I just try to give my best on the oche." If he does manage to complete the clean sweep, it would not only cement his place in darts history but also set a new benchmark for future generations. The achievement would be comparable to landmark moments in other sports where an athlete dominates an entire season, such as a football team winning every major domestic trophy or a tennis player capturing all Grand Slam titles in a year.
For the darts community, Littler’s potential clean sweep could inspire a wave of young talent, proving that age is no barrier to greatness. In the meantime, fans can follow his progress through live broadcasts on Sky Sports, streaming platforms like NOW, and the ever‑growing array of darts podcasts and highlight reels. Whether he is playing in a packed arena in Blackpool, a modest venue in Leicester, or a sunny resort in Orlando, Littler’s focus remains unwavering: to keep delivering high‑scoring performances, to collect titles, and ultimately, to write his name into the sport’s most exclusive record books.