Luke Littler outlasts James Wade to win World Matchplay title at Winter Gardens

Luke Littler has become World Matchplay champion with an 18-13 victory over James Wade on Sunday night.

The 18-year-old found himself 5-0 down after the first session, Wade threatening to win his second title at the Winter Gardens 18 years after his first.

However, Littler - the current world champion - would reel off nine of the following 11 legs in a high-quality final in Blackpool to seize control.

Littler recorded an incredible 17 180s to take him past the most ever in this tournament, including two in one leg as he went seven darts into a nine-darter.

When he threatened to storm clear, Wade would keep on his coattails, a 95 checkout to reduce the deficit to 13-11 a particular highlight for the left-hander.

Nevertheless, despite getting back to 14-13 down, Wade watched Littler take the final four legs of the contest to seal his first Matchplay crown, concluding the match with a 115 checkout.

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

How does PDC Order of Merit look after World Matchplay?

Despite his success in Blackpool, Littler remains almost £300,000 adrift of world number one Luke Humphries in the PDC Order of Merit.

However, with Humphries having a large chunk of prize money to defend between now and the World Championship, the teenager is in line to replace him at the top of the world rankings over the coming months.

Wade has moved up to world number five, narrowly behind Stephen Bunting, while Gerwyn Price is back up to sixth spot and Josh Rock's run to the semi-finals has taken him into 11th place.

Nathan Aspinall has dropped 16 spots all the way down to 23rd position with his prize money from winning the 2023 event having come off and that being backed up with a first-round exit.