Luke Littler reaches new heights with World Matchplay run to remember: ‘What can other players cling onto now?’ | Darts News
Sky Sports Darts’ Mark Webster believes that Luke Littler’s winning run at the World Matchplay is the “best major campaign we have ever seen” and with it, he has sent a message to the rest of his competitors.
Littler capped off a record-breaking week with a dominant 18-9 win over Gerwyn Price in the final, setting a new record average in a final of 111.53.
He also broke his own record for the number of 180s hit across the tournament, improving his 64 in 2025 to 66 in 2026.
The victory in Blackpool saw Littler become only the fourth player in tournament history to win back-to-back titles, and the first in a decade to achieve the feat. It also keeps alive his bid to complete a clean sweep of the major titles across the year.
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Luke Littler smashed in six brilliant 100+ checkouts as he reclaimed the World Matchplay title in Blackpool, beating Gerwyn Price 18-9.
He already has the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League, Masters, and now the Matchplay. He is also defending the Grand Slam, Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals later this year and hunting a European Championship win to hold every single premier title.
For Webster, Littler’s run at the Matchplay marks the greatest major display in the history of the sport and is another sign that the world No 1 is increasingly likely to eventually hold every major trophy the sport has to offer simultaneously.
“This is what I keep saying – what do the other players cling on to now? Where is the weakness? What do you do,” Webster said.
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After defending his World Matchplay title, Luke Littler discusses the levels he’s reaching at the moment and how it compares to legendary Phil Taylor.
“He is playing fantastic at the minute and he is making his opponents miss. It is a recipe for dominance.
“The tournament average has been in the back of his mind. He is setting himself a challenge inside a challenge.
“Winning a major is a huge thing to do but he is setting little challenges within that.
“It is going to get to the point where he is going to be leaving 170s and things like that because he is dominating contests.
“He is just in a completely dominant mood. He trusts everything he does. You just have to admire it. We probably think he can’t get better but he is going to try.
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Luke Littler continues to smash in 100+ checkouts during the World Matchplay final as he hits 128 & 127 finishes back-to-back.
“He is going to keep craving tournament averages – he just has that will to win.
“This has to be the greatest campaign at a major, doesn’t it? This has to be it. If you look at the stats alone, he has a tournament average of 111.
“It is an incredible achievement and it is one that in 12 months time he will try to eclipse.
“I half expect it [for him to win every major in 2026].
“I don’t see where you are going to get him. European champs maybe? Players championship? I am just throwing things out there.
“It is going to be tough for the rest of them.”
Time to ‘take stock’ as Littler sends a message to the pack
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Moments after Gerwyn Price missed a shot for a 145 checkout, Luke Littler pulled off a 167 finish during their World Matchplay final clash.
For those chasing Littler down, the question is what do you do next?
Records have fallen, he has dominated in Blackpool, and has already set his sights on what he needs to do next in order to continue this remarkable run.
And it truly is remarkable – his last defeat in a major tournament that went beyond 20 legs came against Luke Humphries in the World Darts championship back in 2024.
Can they stop what seems inevitable? Webster thinks it will take “new standards” to even get close to him.
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Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle calls out the fact Luke Littler has failed to hit a bullseye finish so far in the 2026 World Matchplay tournament, but then up steps The Nuke…
“It just sends out a message now to the rest of the pack of the standard you have to reach to get anywhere near him.
“Every player from this event will take stock of what happened.
“Someone like Luke Humphries, it won’t wash for him being knocked out in the first round so he will need to refocus.
“Michael van Gerwen has got a huge end to the year. I think he is down at world No 7 now which feels strange to say.
“There is some work for him to do there now – he was a finalist at the World Darts Championship two years ago so there is some more money coming off.
“After every tournament you have to take stock, look at what you need to improve on, and get ready for what is the business end of the year now.”
What’s next?
The next PDC ranked TV major is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix from September 28-October 4 at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester, live on Sky Sports. Littler returns as defending champion after last year’s victory over Luke Humphries in the double in, double out event.
The Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (November 14-22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) are also both live on Sky Sports, with Littler looking to retain his titles in both events. Stream darts and more top sport with no contract.
