Littler dominates Price to close out historic Blackpool title defence

Luke Littler capped off a remarkable title defence at the World Matchplay Darts with an impressive 18-9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool.

Littler fired an 111.53 average and nailed 12 maximums in a dominant display against the 2022 runner-up, posting six ton-plus finishes in a high-scoring final to become just the fourth player in history to win back-to-back World Matchplay titles.

The winning margin looked set to be larger when Littler raced into an 11-3 lead, with Price - who averaged 104.97 in his performance of the tournament - delivering a battling display but falling to his second runner-up finish in four years.

• World Matchplay Darts semi-finals: As they happened!
• Latest World Matchplay Darts results, schedule 📅
• Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱
• Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW 📺

The 19-year-old averaged 109 or better in all five matches during his perfect week at the Winter Gardens and 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.

Littler broke his own tournament record for most 180s and extended his lead at the top of the PDC rankings by reclaiming the Phil Taylor Trophy and £200,000 first prize, having broken the £3m barrier during his run to the final, with the latest win enhancing his hopes of sweeping every ranked major in a calendar year.

More to follow...

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.