Luke Littler has set his sights on a clean sweep of major trophies in 2026 after successfully defending his UK Open title in Minehead. The 19-year-old world champion defeated James Wade 11-7 in the final, becoming only the fourth player to win back-to-back UK Open titles and the first since Michael van Gerwen in 2015 and 2016.
Littler, who began the year by winning his second world title, admitted his Premier League campaign got off to a slow start but said victory in Cardiff on Thursday lifted him from seventh to third in the standings. “That’s obviously the main aim,” he said when asked if he could win every major trophy this year. “The Premier League on Thursday was a massive win. Obviously, it’s not been the start that I wanted. But that win meant a lot and to come here to the UK Open and pick up the trophy means a lot.”
The final was a tighter affair than last year’s 11-2 demolition, with Wade fighting back from 3-0 down to level at 6-6 and 7-7. However, a missed bullseye from Wade in the 15th leg proved costly as Littler stepped in with a 116 checkout to seize control. He pulled away to win 11-7, claiming the £120,000 first prize.
Earlier, Littler had to come from 5-1 down in his semi-final against Josh Rock, surviving a spell of 16 missed darts at doubles to win 11-9. “There was a lot of close games throughout this tournament and I wasn’t at my best at times,” Littler said. “I missed far too many doubles that I would have liked to hit. But we’ve got the job done and for the first time in 10 years, just like the worlds, someone’s gone back to back.”
Wade, seeking a fourth UK Open title, had earlier ended Gerwyn Price’s hopes in the semi-finals, winning 11-8 with an average of 105.53 and 11 180s.
