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Sky Sports Darts’ Mark Webster believes Luke Littler’s win at the World Matchplay was “the best major campaign we’ve seen” and with it he sent a message to the rest of his competitors.
Littler capped off a record-breaking week with an 18-9 win over Garwin Price in the final, setting a new record average in the final of 111.53.
He also broke his own record for 180 hits across the tournament, taking his 64 in 2025 to 66 in 2026.
Victory in Blackpool made Littler just the fourth player in the tournament’s history to win back-to-back titles and the first in a decade to achieve the feat. It keeps alive its bid to complete a clean sweep of major titles throughout the year.
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Luke Littler smashed six brilliant 100+ checkouts as he beat Gerwyn Price 18-9 to reclaim the World Matchplay title in Blackpool.
He already has the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League, Masters and now Matchplay. He is also defending a Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship final later this year, and is chasing a European Championship victory to retain every single Premier title.
For Webster, Littler’s run to the matchplay marked the greatest major display in the game’s history and was another sign that the world No. 1 could finally offer every major trophy the game has to offer simultaneously.
“That’s what I keep saying – what are other players holding on to now? Where are the weaknesses? What do you do,” Webster said.
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After defending his World Matchplay title, Luke Littler discusses the level he’s at right now and how it compares to the legendary Phil Taylor.
“He’s playing great at the moment and he’s missing his opponent. That’s a recipe for dominance.
“The tournament average was in the back of his mind. He was setting himself a challenge within a challenge.
“Winning a major is a huge thing but he’s creating small challenges in between.
“It’s going to get to the point where he’s leaving the 170s and things like that because he’s dominating the competition.
“He’s in a completely dominant mood. He believes in everything he does. You just have to admire that. We probably think he’s not going to be good but he’s going to try.
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Luke Littler continued to smash 100+ checkouts during the World Matchplay Finals as he hit 128 and 127.
“He’s going to average the tournament – he just has that will to win.
“It has to be the greatest campaign at a major, right? It has to be. If you look at the stats alone, his tournament average is 111.
“It’s an incredible achievement and one that he will try to eclipse in 12 months’ time.
“I half expect it (for him to win every major in 2026).
“I don’t see where you’re going to get him. European champions maybe? Players’ championships? I’m throwing things out there.
“It’s going to be tough for the rest of them.”
Time to ‘take stock’ by sending a message to Littler Pack
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Moments after Garwin Price missed a shot for a 145 checkout, Luke Littler finished 167 during their world matchplay final clash.
For those chasing Littler, the question is what do you do next?
Records have fallen, he’s dominated Blackpool, and he’s already set his sights on what he needs to do next to continue this remarkable run.
And that’s remarkable indeed – his last defeat in a major tournament over 20 legs came against Luke Humphries at the 2024 World Darts Championship.
Can they stop what seems inevitable? Webster thinks it will take “new standards” to even come close.
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Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardell highlights the fact that Luke Littler has so far failed to produce a bullseye finish at the 2026 World Matchplay tournament, but then steps up to The New…
“It now just sends a message that the rest of the pack in the standard is going to get anywhere near what you need to reach.
“Every player in this event will take stock of what happened.
“Someone like Luke Humphries, getting knocked out in the first round doesn’t wash it for him so he has to refocus.
“Michael van Gerwen has had a massive finish to the year. I think he’s now down to No. 7 in the world which is strange to say.
“There’s some work to be done for him now – he was a finalist in the World Darts Championship two years ago so there’s more money coming in.
“After every tournament you have to take stock, see what you need to improve on and now get ready for the end of the year business.”
What next?
The next PDC ranked TV major is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix from 28 September-4 October at Mattioli Arena, Leicester. Live on Sky Sports. Littler returns as the defending champion after winning the double in, double out event against Luke Humphries last year.
The Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (November 14-22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) are both live on Sky Sports, with Littler looking to retain his titles at both events. Stream darts and more best games with no contract.
