Michael van Gerwen’s Matchplay double feat looms over Luke Littler’s 2026 bid

Michael van Gerwen became the last player to win two straight World Matchplay crowns when he lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2015 and 2016. His double triumph at the Winter Gardens now frames Luke Littler’s 2026 challenge to join MVG and Phil Taylor in Matchplay folklore.

What happened?

The World Matchplay returns to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from July 18-26, 2026. Littler, the reigning champion, bids to become the first player in a decade to retain the title. MVG’s 2015-16 double remains the most recent back-to-back success at the event.

MVG beat James Wade 18-12 in the 2015 final, then overcame Taylor 18-10 in 2016. Both years, MVG entered the Matchplay as world No 1 and carried a full trophy cabinet. He also won 11 Euro Tour events across 2015-16, underlining his dominance on the circuit.

Why it matters for Michael van Gerwen

MVG’s double set a high bar. Only Taylor, with 15 Matchplay wins, sits above him in the event’s history. MVG’s 2015 surge came after he already held the World Grand Prix, European Championship, Masters and UK Open titles.

He added the Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals, Masters, UK Open and Premier League in 2016. Yet MVG never won the World Darts Championship in those two years, something Littler has already achieved twice.

“If I could choose, I would swap all the other tournaments I won for this one,” MVG said in November 2015 ahead of the World Championship. “It’s the most important one and I’m going to try and get my title back.”

What comes next?

Littler’s 2026 season hinges on the Matchplay. A second straight crown would cement his place among the sport’s elite. A loss could force him to rethink his 2026 schedule.

MVG’s 2015-16 run ended when the trend broke. Luke Humphries claimed the 2023 title, but no one has gone back-to-back since MVG. Littler now carries the torch for Matchplay supremacy.

The draw pits Littler against Berry Canavan in the second round after his first-round bye. The field also features Women’s World Matchplay qualifiers, expanding the event’s reach beyond the men’s tour.

How the Matchplay shapes MVG’s legacy

MVG’s double remains the benchmark for Matchplay dominance in the modern era. His 2016 haul included seven major titles in a single season, a feat Littler has matched so far in his career.

MVG’s 2015-16 run also showed how the Matchplay can define a player’s year. Littler has already won the World Championship twice. Now he aims to add another Matchplay crown to his resume.

The Winter Gardens stage awaits. MVG’s ghost still lingers over every champion’s shoulder.