Luke Littler hails World Matchplay defence as one of the ‘best weeks of his life’ after historic Gerwyn Price victory | Darts News
Luke Littler has hailed his historic run at the World Matchplay as “one of the best weeks of his life” after a record-breaking 18-9 over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool.
It capped off a week in which Littler has broken record after record. The 19-year-old started his week with a 109 average against Niko Springer and then took things to new heights with a 113 average and nine-darter against Nathan Aspinall.
A 109 average against Josh Rock followed, before he demolished Dirk van Duijvenbode in the semi-finals.
Littler then became the first player in a decade to retain the title at the Winter Gardens, defeating Price while rewriting the record books in the process.
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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.
Littler fired an 111.53 average which smashed the tournament scoring record, previously set by Phil Taylor in 2010, leaving Littler continuing his run of winning every PDC TV major in 2026.
He also posted six ton-plus finishes and broke his own tournament record for most 180s, hitting 66 across the week.
Not only that, he broke the £3m earning barrier during his run to the final, with the latest win enhancing his hopes of sweeping every ranked major in a calendar year.
They are numbers to simply behold and Littler himself counts them as some of the best he has ever posted in his life.
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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.
“It has been a crazy week – it has been one of the best weeks of my life,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“The darts I have played – it has not been easy. It has been tough. 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.
“Two years ago, I had that first round defeat to Michael which was not the best result, The last two years, I have come here with the family and we have done it again.
“It is definitely, I feel like it is the best version of myself. I have just been playing so well.
Littler: I am heading to the Pro Tours!
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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.
Littler said on the opening night of the World Matchplay that, if he defended his title, he would then have to head to the Pro Tour in order to attempt the clean sweep which would include having to defend his Players Championship Finals win in Minehead.
With that in mind, the world No 1’s next stop is Leicester, rather than the planned trip to Spain.
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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…
“I don’t think my dad is too happy because we were meant to be going to Spain but now we will be going to Leicester for some Pro Tours,” he added.
“Coming into the tournament I had won every major so far so this is what I wanted to do.
“I have been checking the Pro Tour rankings. I know there is four in Leicester I have got to go to now.
“If I don’t qualify I will get grilled, if I qualify I will get grilled anyway so who knows what is going to happen.”
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.
