WARRINGTON’S Luke Littler successfully defended his World Matchplay title in Blackpool, crushing Gerwyn Price 18-9 at the Winter Gardens to break Phil Taylor’s historic tournament average record.
The 19-year-old darting sensation delivered an absolute masterclass on the stage of the Empress Ballroom, reinforcing his dominance as the undisputed world number one.
Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke”, was in unstoppable form from the very first leg. He posted a staggering final match average of 111.53, which cemented his overall tournament average at 111.04. This sensational run shattered Phil Taylor’s long-standing tournament average record of 106.31. By lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy for the second consecutive year, Littler becomes only the third man in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) history to retain the World Matchplay title, following in the footsteps of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
Littler took an early lead, stunning Price with back-to-back 100+ checkouts, including a spectacular 167 finish in the third leg to establish control.
Price managed to steady his throw but could not keep pace with Littler’s relentless scoring power. Littler turned a 14-6 cushion into a comprehensive 18-9 victory.
By securing his place in the final and claiming the £225,000 winner’s cheque, Littler has officially become the first player in PDC history to surpass £3 million in career prize money.
This latest victory in Blackpool keeps Littler on target for an unprecedented calendar-year clean sweep of major televised titles. He adds the World Matchplay crown to an already overflowing 2026 trophy cabinet that includes the World Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League, and the Masters.
Following his historical victory, Littler reflected on his record-shattering tournament performance and responded directly to pre-match comments from Gerwyn Price, who had suggested that rivals were making it “too easy” for the teenager.
Asserting his dominance, Luke Littler noted that opponents are forced to perform 10 times better to compete with him, stating that rivals must produce something “really special” to beat him.
Reflecting on his mental growth, the 19-year-old emphasised his improved ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Regarding his record-shattering performance, Littler maintained a focus on winning, expressing confidence that his high level of play will continue to secure trophies.
Luke Littler lifts the Phil Taylor Trophy at the Winter Gardens for the second year straight after a ridiculous campaign… 🌟 pic.twitter.com/uQAdKThby5
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2026
Luke Littler lifts the Phil Taylor Trophy at the Winter Gardens for the second year straight after a ridiculous campaign… 🌟 pic.twitter.com/uQAdKThby5
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2026
