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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 41 sources · 2 days · First seen 4 days ago · Last updated 3 days ago

Categories: SPORTS

Littler retains World Matchplay crown in Blackpool

Entities: Blackpool · Phil Taylor Trophy · Phil Taylor · World Matchplay · Luke Littler

Overview

Luke Littler retained the Betfred World Matchplay title in Blackpool, beating Gerwyn Price 18‑9 in the final at the Winter Gardens on 26 July 2026. The 19‑year‑old posted a 111.53 average in the championship match, raising his tournament‑wide average to a record 111.04 and eclipsing Phil Taylor’s former benchmark of 106.31. The win makes Littler only the third player to defend the World Matchplay, joining Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, and adds £225,000 to his earnings, taking his total winnings from the event to over £3 million.

Price averaged 104.97, becoming runner‑up for the second consecutive year. Littler’s dominance featured several 12‑dart finishes and a 167 checkout, cementing his position at the top of the PDC rankings. Earlier in the week, Littler dispatched Dirk van Duijvenbode 17‑5 and Price overcame Gian van Veen 17‑10 to set up the final. A Women’s World Matchplay session was also held, with Lisa Ashton defending her crown against Beau Greaves.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 15 SOURCES] Luke Littler won the 2026 World Matchplay final 18‑9 over Gerwyn Price. (statement)
[● 8 SOURCES] Luke Littler’s average in the final was 111.53. (statement)
[● 8 SOURCES] The final set a tournament‑wide average record of 111.04, breaking Phil Taylor’s 106.31 record. (statement)
[● 8 SOURCES] Littler became the third player ever to successfully defend the World Matchplay title. (statement)
[● 8 SOURCES] The final was held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. (statement)
[● 7 SOURCES] Littler’s prize for winning the World Matchplay was £225,000. (statement)
[● 3 SOURCES] The total prize pool for the 2026 World Matchplay was £1 million. (multiple)
[● 2 SOURCES] The Women’s World Matchplay was held on the same day, featuring Lisa Ashton and Beau Greaves. (multiple)

Timeline

3 days ago

[SPORTS] 38 sources
Luke Littler retains World Matchplay title with 18‑9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool
Luke Littler beat Gerwyn Price 18‑9 to retain the World Matchplay title in Blackpool, averaging 111.53 and earning £225,000, breaking the tournament record.
4 days ago

[SPORTS] 10 sources
Gerwyn Price reaches World Matchplay semi‑finals as he celebrates becoming a grandfather
Gerwyn Price beat Ross Smith 16‑12 to reach the World Matchplay semi‑finals, will meet Gian van Veen, and announced he is becoming a grandfather at 41.

Sources

allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · bild.de · ca.sports.yahoo.com · dailysport.co.uk · dailystar.co.uk · dartfreakz.nl · dartn.de · dartsactueel.nl · dartsnews.com · dartsnews.de · dartsnieuws.com · formansguide.se · haberaktuel.com · ibtimes.co.uk · independent.co.uk · ipeds.org.br · khairallahlegal.com · laczynasdart.pl · lazybudgetchef.com · memesita.com · nation.cymru · news.co.za · nouvelles-du-monde.com · omroepbrabant.nl · onetz.de · realnewsmagazine.net · revistafrontline.com · saarbruecker-zeitung.de · sport.de · spox.com · the42.ie · thesheffieldpress.com · time.news · tvwise.co.uk · tz.de · uk-times.com · upday.com · volksfreund.de · wochentlich.de · worldinsport.com · wz.de

This summary has been updated 6 times: see revision history