Luke Littler claimed a second straight UK Open title by beating James Wade 11-7 in the final in Minehead.
Having thrashed Wade 11-2 in the 2025 decider, Littler again got the better of his fellow Englishman, albeit in a much closer contest.
By doing so, Littler became the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2015 and 2016 to win the ‘FA Cup of darts’ back-to-back.
The 19-year-old world champion raced 3-0 ahead in the best-of-21-legs final but was pegged back to 3-3 by Wade.
Littler promptly won the next three legs before, remarkably, Wade drew level again at 6-6.
Three-time UK Open champion Wade was averaging just 88 at that point while Littler was at a shade over 100 – but some slack finishing by the world number one allowed ‘The Machine’ to stay in the contest.
But while Wade raised his level and Littler never reached anywhere close to his best, the teenager was still able to reel off four straight legs from 7-7 to seal victory.
Littler ended with an average of 99.58 and a checkout percentage of 35.48% – numbers which proved enough for him to take home the £120,000 prize money.
“It feels amazing [to go back-to-back],” Littler told ITV4. “I don’t think it’s been the best of tournaments for me average-wise but I’ve dug deep throughout the tournament and I’ve come out with a win.
“I wasn’t happy with myself through the early rounds but, as a player, you’ve got to dig deep.”
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