Luke Littler rewrites World Matchplay record books but one Phil Taylor benchmark still eludes him

Luke Littler delivered one of the most impressive tournaments in the history of the event at the World Matchplay 2026. The reigning world champion not only claimed the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy for the second year running, but also set a series of statistics along the way that underline his exceptional level.

Remarkably, all five of his match averages at the tournament now rank among the fifteen highest ever recorded at the World Matchplay.

The standout came in the second round against Nathan Aspinall. Littler produced a phenomenal 113.68 average in that match, the second-highest three-dart average ever at the World Matchplay. Only Phil Taylor has done better. The English darts legend posted an incredible 114.99 in the first round of the 2010 edition in his win over Barrie Bates. Sixteen years later, that achievement still sits proudly at the top of the list.

Littler also showed again in the final why he is currently regarded as the benchmark in world darts. Against Gerwyn Price he averaged 111.53, which not only secured the title in convincing fashion but also places him fifth on the all-time list of highest averages at the World Matchplay. It is also the highest average ever recorded in a final at the tournament.

The fact that Littler appears in the top fifteen with all five of his outings underscores how exceptionally consistent his level was throughout the tournament. While many players produce one absolute top display, the 19-year-old Englishman maintained a historically high standard across the entire week.

It was not only Littler who made history in Blackpool. Gary Anderson also secured a place on the all-time list. The two-time world champion averaged 109.96 in his opening match, putting him in eleventh place. The Scot narrowly missed out on a top-ten spot, but his display still ranks among the best ever at the World Matchplay.

The only Dutchman still in the top ten of highest averages is Michael van Gerwen. “Mighty Mike” sits seventh thanks to his 110.93 average, achieved in the second round of the 2015 World Matchplay against Jamie Lewis.

Despite the semifinal runs by Gian van Veen and Dirk van Duijvenbode at the most recent World Matchplay, Van Gerwen remains for now the only Dutch representative among the top ten averages ever on the Winter Gardens stage.