Luke Littler thrashes Gerwyn Price 18-9 to defend World Matchplay title
Littler finishes tournament with average of 111.04 - beating Phil Taylor's Matchplay record of 106.31
Littler has average of 111.53 in final, which is also a record
Littler v Price
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
I'm going to rule out the word Matchplay - Luke Littler's performance has been one of the best campaigns we have ever seen. I don't care what tournament it is in.
It is a performance where we've had hardly seen the like before.
He's got it and he's got everything in abundance.
Littler v Price
Luke Littler has been in staggering form to reach the final in Blackpool for the second year running.
He's averaged over 109 in all four matches so far and, frankly, no one has got close to him.
If he maintains that form, Gerwyn Price will need the performance of his life to stop him...
Image source, BBC Sport/Getty ImagesLittler v Price
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports
It could be a fiery final. We know what Gerwyn Price is like and he's recaptured that this week.
Luke Littler can give it some as well if he's caught in that kind of occasion.
For the World Matchplay competition, the prize money has increased by £200,000 in total to £1m. In 2025, the total prize pot was £800,000.
The winner will win £225,000 in prize money, an increase of £25,000 from 12 months ago.
World Matchplay prize money
The final is best of 35 legs, or first to 18.
However, victories must be by two clear legs.
So if we're tied at 17-17, extra legs will be played. If we get to 20-20, then we'll go to sudden death.
32 players entered the World Matchplay - the 16 highest-ranked players from the PDC's Order of Merit and the 16 best players from this year's ProTour Order of Merit who had not yet qualified.
The draw was seeded meaning the top 16-ranked players were all kept apart in the opening round.
The straight knockout event is played in legs rather than sets, with the number required to win a match increasing after every round.
Littler v Price
That's right, Blackpool's Winter Gardens is all set for what should be a thrilling final.
Defending champion Luke Littler is in record breaking form.
Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price is aiming to lift the Matchplay trophy for the first time after reclaiming his place as the Welsh number one.
Will he produce an upset or will Littler march on to take major title number 14?
Image source, Taylor Lanning/PDCAfter a week of top class darts, it all comes down to this...
The World Matchplay final.