Luke Littler beats James Wade to win first World Matchplay crown in Blackpool
Littler claimed a hard-fought 18-13 victory at the Winter Gardens to become the fifth player to win the PDC Triple Crown – Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries having also won World Championship, Matchplay and Premier League titles.
Wade was in his seventh Matchplay final 18 years on from his solitary success in 2007, which came six months after Littler was born.
Luke Littler is the new king of the Winter Gardens! 👑
The 18-year-old produces another spectacular performance to become the youngest champion in the history of the Betfred World Matchplay! 👏 pic.twitter.com/d61nEaXtny — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 27, 2025
Littler's scoring power in a high-quality contest proved decisive – he hit 17 180s to Wade's six in averaging 107 – and set a new tournament record of 64 maximums, beating Adrian Lewis' previous best of 56.
'It means absolutely everything,' Littler told Sky Sports after winning the last four legs to hold the Phil Taylor Trophy aloft.
'I idolise Phil, he's come here 16 times and won it. Now my name is on this trophy – and I can say I've completed the Triple Crown.
'Since I started on the Tour and got my Tour card I've always said to myself, 'as long as I win one of every major I'll be happy.'
Now my name is on this trophy – and I can say I've completed the Triple Crown
'I've only got a few left to tick off and I'll definitely chase the majors I haven't won yet.'
Littler had to mount another comeback 24 hours after losing the first five legs of his semi-final to Northern Ireland's Josh Rock.
Wade stormed into a 5-0 lead but did not have a single dart at a double in the second mini-session as Littler levelled in style.
The 42-year-old left-hander produced an 11-darter in the next, but Littler responded by winning successive legs to lead for the first time at 7-6.
Wade managed to keep in touch, helped by a bull finish in the 19th leg, and fought back from a double break down to cut the gap to just one at 14-13.
LITTLER REIGNS AT THE WINTER GARDENS! ☢️
LUKE LITTLER IS THE 2025 WORLD MATCHPLAY CHAMPION!
The World Champion produces a sensational display to defeat James Wade 18-13 and lift the Phil Taylor Trophy for the first time! 👏#MatchplayDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/DoHwZsORJQ — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 27, 2025
But Littler pulled away and crossed the line in style with a 115 out shot (20-57-38), the biggest finish of the match.
'A little bit,' Littler said when asked if he had felt in control. 'Five-nil down once again, I said, 'I've been here before, what are you doing?'
'But I managed to pull it out of the bag and win the next five. I've shown I can come back from 5-0 or 7-3 down.
'I'm happy I can pull myself out of these scorelines, but I don't want to be 5-0 down again.
'James started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts.'
By winning the title 18-year-old Littler became the youngest ever champion in Matchplay history, six years younger than Wade when he lifted the title.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I can't believe that' – James Wade breaks etiquette in Luke Littler clash leaving darts fans fuming
JAMES WADE shocked fans by walking off the World Matchplay stage and choosing not to conduct a live post-final Sky Sports interview. The Machine was beaten 18-13 by sensational Blackpool . Advertisement 5 Luke Littler celebrated lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy on stage but Wade did not hang around for the live Sky Sports TV interview Credit: Sky Sports 5 James Wade lost a second successive major darts final to Luke Littler this year Credit: Getty 5 Littler earned £200,000 in prize money for the victory in Blackpool on Sunday night Credit: Getty It was the second time he had lost a major final to The Nuke, having been demolished 11-2 in the UK Open finale in March. The etiquette, but not protocol, is for the runners-up to receive their trophy on stage and then hang around to speak to the host broadcaster. In this case it would have been with the excellent reporter Polly James for Sky . Yet emotion clearly got the better of Wade who, once he received his silver plate off PDC chief executive Matt Porter, swiftly left the oche and went backstage. Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS It surprised TV viewers who were treated to an interview with Littler but not with the 42-year-old Aldershot ace, a father of two. It means, quite unusually, there were not quotes from Wade about how he played or what perhaps he could have done differently. Littler's victory, aged 18, means he replaced Wade in the history books as the youngest winner of the World Matchplay, one of the most coveted events on the calendar. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Advertisement Most read in Darts There are no suggestions that Wade, the new world No.5, will be fined or reprimanded for his actions as there is no obligation to speak. Yet it is good form and good manners to speak to the fans and live TV audience. Or even hang around as Littler celebrated lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy in front of the Winter Gardens audience. This is exactly what Wade – a 11-time major winner – did when he lost in the UK Open showpiece occasion at Butlin's Minehead earlier this year. Advertisement Once this event, which was broadcast on ITV , was over, he spoke glowingly about the teenager that had just destroyed him on the oche. Wade said back on the night of Sunday March 2: 'I'm the senior dart player, but he absolutely smashed me to bits! 'What can you do against that? He was the far superior player. Fair play to Luke. At the moment, he is comfortably the best or second best dart player in the world.' You wonder if his decision to walk away early will impact his chances of being selected by the PDC for the Premier League Darts competition in 2026. Advertisement 5 Wade was surpassed as the youngest World Matchplay champion by 18-year-old Littler Credit: Getty 5 The Machine is one of the legends of the sport and is now up to No.5 in the world rankings Credit: Getty That is, of course, unless he breaks into the top next year's Prem. His absence from the stage as the ticker-tape fell on Littler's head surprised fans, Advertisement James O'Hara expressed his displeasure on social media by saying: 'I can't believe Wade left the stage before Littler even lifted the trophy!' Disappointed Tom Clayton wrote a sarcastic message on X, which said: 'Nice to see Wade stay on stage to watch Littler lift the trophy. Not! Piss poor that.' And darts fan Craig Milner commented: 'Walking off stage before Littler gets his trophy says it all about him. Bit of a p****. Well done the Nuke!' Littler – who has completed the Triple Crown set – posed for photos with his parents, management and new girlfriend Faith. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Sky Sports forced to apologise as Ashley Young's Ipswich team-mate is caught in rude act in background of interview
SKY SPORTS was left red in the cheeks after a rude act was caught in the background of an interview with Ashley Young. Young was being interviewed about his 3 Experienced full-back Ashley young was doing an interview for Sky following his move from Everton to Ipswich Town Credit: Getty 3 Eagle-eyed viewers noticed the rude act occurring in the background of Young's interview with Sky Sports Credit: Sky Sports News 3 Sky Sports were forced to apologise for any offence caused by the gesture Credit: Sky Sports News Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw As the former Things only got stranger, as another player reached over and appeared to spank the bare skin that had been exposed with his hand. Sky Sports did not see the funny side of the matter, and issued an apology on air after spotting the rude gesture. "Earlier this hour, we interviewed Ashley Young live on Sky Sports News. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL "We'd just like to apologise if anything you saw within that segment caused offence during our live broadcast." Ipswich fans will hope the unusual team bonding methods will help them bounce back to the Premier League after their relegation last season In the interview, 40-year-old Young opened up about the circumstances that saw him leave the CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Most read in Championship "It was difficult, I was disappointed not to be offered a new contract [at Everton]. "But that is behind me. Everton and West Ham to fight it out for Douglas Luiz "I have got to come here now and produce the goods on the pitch. "Age is nothing but a number, and I will keep going as long as my body can take."
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Heroic England Lionesses land back in UK after Euro 2025 triumph ahead of huge trophy parade tomorrow
THE LIONESSES received a heroine's welcome as they touched down in England just hours after achieving yet more Euro glory. Sarina Wiegman's troops secured a Spain in Basel . 13 The Lionesses won their second straight Women's European Championship title last Sunday Credit: EPA 13 Sarina Wiegmann's troops bested Spain 3-1 a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw Credit: EPA 13 The Lionesses' private jet touched down at Southend Aiport shortly after 3:30pm on Monday Credit: SKY SPORTS 13 Captain Leah Williamson was all as she held the trophy while conversing with manager Sarina Wiegman Credit: SKY SPORTS 13 Wiliamson's team-mates proudly donned their winners' medals as they stepped off the private jet Credit: SKY SPORTS 13 Williamson brought the trophy to the team coach as the players made their way to the team bus before headng to the aiport 13 Alex Greenwood took special care of the trophy as the players went through security Credit: Instagram / @lionesses 13 The trophy even had it's own seat on board the private jet Credit: Instagram / @lionesses 13 Scores of fans waited for the Lionesses at Southend Airport Credit: PA Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw England bested the Spaniards 3-1 in the shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Kelly and her team-mates READ MORE LIONESSES NEWS And they were greeted by a chorus of cheers as they touched down in Old Blighty on Monday afternoon. The Lionesses returned from their successful Swiss sojourn just after 3:30pm, touching down at Southend Airport in a private Nike branded jet. Scores of footie fans waited for their heroines outside the terminal after getting wind of their arrival. And they were itching to give the players an arrival worthy of their historic achievement. Most read in Football The Lionesses' first Euros triumph against Germany in the summer of 2022 did wonders to raise to profile of women's football in the country. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN England are queens of Europe England legend Lucy Bronze reveals she played Player ratings - see how England's finest in Chloe Kelly steals the show after Eagle-eyed fans stunned at where Joyous And Wiegman hopes their second successive trophy scoop will reverberate around the globe. She said: "This is the most chaotic tournament we have played. Every time we could come back. Fans go wild as England beat Spain on penalties to win Women's Euro 2025 final "We have players with talent, but we never, ever give up. "Tonight I never doubted, I had it a couple of times where I thought we might be going home. "It wasn't a lack of belief, but it got very tight. "I hope it will boost the women's game even more, not only in England but beyond." Shootout hero Kelly was quick to sing Wiegman's praises after the Dutchwoman won her third straight Euros title. "She's bloody amazing," Kelly said of her international gaffer. "She's an incredible woman, "What she's done for this country , we should all be so grateful for. "What she's done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn't have any. 13 Fans waiting at Southend Airport were itching to give their heroines a fitting welcome Credit: PA 13 Lionesses fans young and old were over the moon at the prospect of seeing Sarina Wiegman's troops in the flesh Credit: GETTY 13 England will be welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner at No.10 later today Credit: Alamy 13 The Lionesses will take part in an open-top bus parade tomorrow Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK "I hope it will boost the women's game even more, not only in England but beyond." Sarina Wiegman on England's second straight Euros triumph "She gave me an opportunity to represent my country again. "I knew that I had to get game time and representing England is never a given. "But what she's done for the women's game, not just in England, in the Netherlands she's done it. "She's taken it to a whole other level. "The work doesn't go unnoticed from the staff behind her, they're incredible people and I'm so grateful to have worked with such amazing staff members.' The Lionesses are set to be honoured by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock or the momentous achievement. Wiegman and her charges will visit No.10 later today and will take part in an open-top bus parade in front of thousands of fans. But the Government WON'T commerorate the Lionesses' latet trophy haul with a Bank Holiday. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
