World number one Luke Littler produced a moment of pure darts magic at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, throwing a breathtaking nine-darter en route to an 11-8 victory over Nathan Aspinall in the second round of the 2026 World Matchplay. The 19-year-old defending champion delivered what many are already calling the performance of the tournament, finishing the contest with a remarkable 113.68 average—the second highest in the event’s storied history—while hitting 14 maximum 180s.
A Perfect Start at the Winter Gardens
The Nine-Darter That Electrified Blackpool
Littler began his clash against fellow Englishman Aspinall in the most spectacular fashion imaginable. The Warrington teenager raced through the opening leg with six perfect darts before clinching the nine-darter on double 15, sending the delirious Blackpool crowd into raptures. Littler cupped his ears to soak in the thunderous adulation, while Aspinall could only laugh in disbelief before offering his young rival a congratulatory high five.
The excitement intensified further in the fourth leg when Littler stood on double 15 once again, this time needing just one dart for a historic second nine-darter. However, his arrow landed agonizingly on the wrong side of the wire, denying him what would have been an unprecedented achievement. Aspinall, displaying his characteristic humor, turned to the crowd and jokingly offered up his darts, asking if anyone else fancied giving the teenager a game.
Aspinall’s Resilience Ultimately Falls Short
Despite the early onslaught, Aspinall refused to capitulate. The 16th seed battled his way back to level the match at 7-7, demonstrating the fighting spirit that has made him one of the most respected competitors on the PDC circuit. However, Littler’s quality proved decisive as the world number one reeled off three consecutive legs to seize control.
Aspinall briefly rallied once more, but when he missed double top in the 19th leg, Littler seized the opportunity to check out 52 and seal a memorable victory. The winning average of 113.68 underscored the extraordinary standard Littler maintained throughout the contest.
Post-Match Reactions and Looking Ahead
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Littler reflected on the electric atmosphere and his connection with the Blackpool faithful. “The nine-darter just happened. These guys were booing me at the beginning and then they started cheering me on!” he said with a grin. “It felt amazing, and that was probably the best game Nathan and I have played against each other. It’s never over against Nathan because he never gives up.”
Littler acknowledged the quality of both his performances at this year’s World Matchplay but remained focused on the task ahead. “That’s two unbelievable performances from myself here. Hopefully I can pick up the title again, but I just have to focus on who I play next,” he added.
Quarter-Final Clash with Josh Rock Awaits
Littler will face Josh Rock in the quarter-finals after the eighth seed impressed with an 11-6 victory over Stephen Bunting. The pairing carries added intrigue, as the two met in last year’s Matchplay semi-final, setting the stage for a compelling rematch in Blackpool.
Other Second-Round Results: Van Gerwen Ousted in Dutch Duel
Van Duijvenbode Ends Three-Time Champion’s Campaign
Elsewhere on Tuesday evening, the World Matchplay witnessed a dramatic upset as Michael van Gerwen’s title hopes were extinguished in a thrilling 14-12 defeat to fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. The fourth seed staged a remarkable comeback from 8-4 down, leveling the contest at 10-all and threatening to complete a stunning turnaround. Nevertheless, Van Duijvenbode held his nerve in the closing stages to eliminate the three-time World Matchplay champion and book his own place in the last eight.
Anderson Advances with Comfortable Victory
Scotland’s Gary Anderson also secured his quarter-final berth with a composed 11-7 win over Welshman Jonny Clayton, the fifth seed. The two-time world champion displayed his trademark smooth scoring to progress without excessive drama, keeping his title aspirations firmly alive.
Wednesday’s World Matchplay Schedule
The second-round action continues on Wednesday evening from 19:15 BST with four compelling fixtures. Cameron Menzies faces Ross Smith, while seventh seed Gerwyn Price takes on Rob Cross in what promises to be a heavyweight encounter. Additionally, third seed Gian van Veen meets Wessel Nijman, and sixth seed James Wade battles Ryan Searle as the remaining quarter-final places are decided.
Littler’s Legacy Continues to Grow
At just 19 years old, Luke Littler continues to redefine what is possible in professional darts. His nine-darter at the World Matchplay adds yet another iconic moment to a career that has already rewritten the record books. With a second-highest tournament average and the confidence of a defending champion, Littler remains the overwhelming favorite to retain his title in Blackpool. However, as his quarter-final opponent Josh Rock will attest, the World Matchplay has a rich tradition of producing upsets, ensuring that nothing can be taken for granted in the sport’s most atmospheric venue.
