World Matchplay

The 33rd edition of the World Matchplay was held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from July 18th to 26th. Thirty-two players competed for the Phil Taylor Trophy and a share of the record £1 million prize fund. At the end of the tournament, it was defending champion Luke Littler who lifted the trophy once again, defeating Gerwyn Price 18–9 in the final.

Littler's tournament begins against Niko Springer. "The Nuke" immediately shows his form with a 109.53 average and defeats the German 10–6. In the second round he raises his level even further against Nathan Aspinall. Littler averages 113.68 – the highest average of the entire tournament – and hits a 9-darter to beat The Asp 11–8, reaching the quarterfinals.

In the quarter-finals Littler faces Josh Rock in a repeat of their memorable semi-final from the previous year. This time the match is far less close. Littler averages 109.57, with Rock also breaking the 100 mark with 101.24, but the defending champion is too strong and wins 16–7. In the semi-finals, Littler produces another dominant performance against Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. He averages 110.88 and allows Van Duijvenbode just five legs, winning 17–5 to reach the World Matchplay final for the second year in a row.

In the final he faces Gerwyn Price. The Welshman begins his tournament with a difficult match against Martin Schindler, eventually winning 11–9. In the second round Price beats former World Matchplay champion Rob Cross 11–5, before overcoming Ross Smith 16–12 in the quarterfinals with a 102.78 average. Price then defeats Dutchman Gian van Veen 17–10 in the semi-finals to book his place in the Blackpool final.

The final sees Littler continue the remarkable level he had shown throughout the tournament. Price produces an excellent performance himself and averages 104.97, but even that is not enough against the defending champion. Littler averages an outstanding 111.53 and gradually pulls clear of the Welshman. Price manages to win nine legs but is unable to stop Littler from completing an 18–9 victory and retaining the Phil Taylor Trophy.

With the victory, Luke Littler successfully defends his World Matchplay title, having won the tournament for the first time against James Wade twelve months earlier. Littler averages more than 109 in all five matches, including 109.53 against Springer, 113.68 against Aspinall, 109.57 against Rock, 110.88 against Van Duijvenbode and 111.53 against Price. He drops only 35 legs across the entire tournament and becomes World Matchplay champion for the second consecutive year.