Gary Anderson crashes out of 2026 World Matchplay second round after Luke Littler’s nine-darter

Gary Anderson’s defence of his 2026 World Matchplay title ended in stunning fashion on Day 4 in Blackpool.

Luke Littler crushed Anderson 13-7 in their second-round clash on Tuesday, 22 July, as the 18-year-old threw a nine-darter in the process. The defeat means Anderson exits the tournament with just £15,000 in prize money and no quarter-final spot.

What happened in Gary Anderson’s second-round exit?

Anderson, the 2024 and 2018 World Matchplay champion, looked shaky from the start against Littler. The 35-year-old Scot never led, and Littler’s relentless pressure-including a perfect nine-darter in the fourth leg-left him with no route back. The final score of 13-7 flattered Anderson; Littler dominated the scoring phases and closed out the match with clinical finishing.

Why Anderson’s loss matters for his 2026 campaign

This is Anderson’s earliest exit at the World Matchplay since 2021, when he lost in the first round. The defeat drops him to 11th in the 2026 Order of Merit and raises fresh questions about his form ahead of the World Championship in December. Anderson had beaten Ryan Searle 10-6 in the first round, but his lack of match sharpness against Littler exposed his struggles with the event’s intense atmosphere.

Luke Littler’s nine-darter steals the show

Littler’s perfect leg-12 consecutive trebles followed by double 12-was the highlight of Day 4. The teenager, already the youngest player to reach the second round, now faces Michael van Gerwen in the quarters after beating Damon Heta 13-11 earlier. His composure under pressure marks him as a genuine title threat in Blackpool.

What comes next for the remaining contenders?

Van Gerwen, Anderson’s quarter-final opponent, faces Littler after beating Chris Dobey 13-9. The Dutch master, a four-time World Matchplay winner, will need to rediscover his Blackpool brilliance to avoid another early exit. Meanwhile, Anderson heads home with a reality check: his title defence is over, and his path to a third crown now looks steeper than ever.