World Matchplay 2026: The Summer Showpiece of Darts

• Luke Littler won the 2026 Phil Taylor Trophy, defeating Gerwyn Price 18–9 in the final on 26th July 2026.
• Littler posted a tournament average of 111.04 — breaking Phil Taylor's long-standing 2010 record of 106.31.
• He became only the fourth player in World Matchplay history to successfully defend the title.
• Beau Greaves won the Women's World Matchplay for a record third time, defeating Fallon Sherrock 6–5 in a last-leg decider.
• Over 22,000 fans attended across the nine days of competition at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
  Haypp was present throughout the event as part of its partnership with the PDC.

Hosted at the iconic Winter Gardens, the tournament is a highlight of the PDC calendar and one of the sport's most anticipated events each summer. This year's edition lived up to every expectation — producing nine days of world-class competition and a historic final that will be remembered long after the curtain came down on Blackpool 2026.

Luke Littler claimed the Phil Taylor Trophy on 26th July 2026, defeating Gerwyn Price 18–9 in the final at the Empress Ballroom. It was a commanding performance from the young Englishman, who produced some of the finest darts seen at the World Matchplay in the tournament's history.

Littler finished the tournament with an average of 111.04 across his matches — breaking Phil Taylor's long-standing record of 106.31 set in 2010. In the final itself, he posted a 111.53 average, surpassing Taylor's previous final record from 2013. The numbers speak for themselves.

In doing so, Littler became only the fourth player in World Matchplay history to successfully defend the title, joining Rod Harrington, Phil Taylor, and Michael van Gerwen in an elite group of back-to-back Blackpool champions.

The £225,000 top prize was well earned — and the comparisons to Phil Taylor, unavoidable throughout the week, felt a little more justified by the final whistle.

The afternoon of Finals Day also delivered a memorable Women's World Matchplay final. Beau Greaves won the title for a record third time, defeating Fallon Sherrock 6–5 in a last-leg decider at the Empress Ballroom. Greaves held her nerve in a high-quality final, sealing victory with a brilliant 145 finish on double 10. The win extends her record as the most successful player in Women's World Matchplay history.

As part of Haypp's partnership with the PDC, we're committed to supporting the darts community and helping bring fans closer to the sport they love.

The partnership is built around a shared focus on darts fans, creating opportunities to engage with the sport while supporting informed decision-making among adult nicotine users.

The Haypp team was present throughout the tournament, engaging with fans across the nine days of competition. The team had hundreds of conversations with adult nicotine users about the pouch format — what it is, how it works, and how it differs from other nicotine products. It was a valuable opportunity to connect directly with the darts community and support informed decision-making in a live event setting.

Six winners of the Haypp competition also joined the action in Blackpool, taking home tickets and signed merchandise to experience the World Matchplay first-hand. Keep an eye out for our next competition — launching soon.

Few tournaments in darts carry the history and prestige of the World Matchplay.

Since first arriving at the Winter Gardens in 1994, the event has produced some of the sport's most memorable matches and champions. Every year, the world's leading players compete for the Phil Taylor Trophy and a place in darts history, making Blackpool a must-watch destination for fans around the globe.

The unique setting helps make the tournament stand out. The famous Empress Ballroom creates an atmosphere unlike any other venue on the professional circuit, combining world-class competition with passionate crowds and iconic player entrances.

The 2026 World Matchplay delivered everything that makes the tournament special — nine days of world-class darts, iconic walk-ons, and 22,000 fans creating an atmosphere that only the Empress Ballroom can produce. Luke Littler's record-breaking week gave Blackpool another historic chapter — and gave the sport a performance that will be measured against for years to come.

We'll be back.