Luke Littler has shattered record after records since he first took centre stage at Alexandra Palace in December 2023, but his next milestone could eclipse them all.
Much has been made to Littler’s perfect start to 2026, having won all four major titles in 2026, bidding to become the first man to win all eleven in a single calendar year. However, there is another equally as impressive record that he is edging closer to.
Michael van Gerwen holds the record for the longest run of consecutive wins in ranked majors, going undefeated for 42 matches from March 2016 to July 2017, winning nine consecutive ranking titles. This incredible run eventually ended after he lost 16-6 to a brilliant Phil Taylor performance in the 2017 World Matchplay Quarter-Finals, before Taylor went on to claim his 16th and final World Matchplay Title.
PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG
WINTER GARDENS,BLACKPOOL
QUARTER FINAL
PHIL TAYLOR(ENG) V KEVIN PAINTER(ENG)
PHIL TAYLOR IN ACTION
Phil Taylor sits in second place on this particular record, winning 34 consecutive games between November 2008 and November 2009, but has also achieved 29 wins in-a-row on three occasions.
Littler is now closing in. Having won the 2025 Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals, he went on to defend his World Title and win the 2026 World Masters and UK Open. The teenager is on a run of 31 straight matches. Should be reach the World Matchplay Final, he would surpass Phil Taylor’s best-ever streak of 34 consecutive victories.
Should he wish to beat van Gerwen’s all-time record, he would have to win the Matchplay and the Grand Prix in October. He would then be one win behind the record coming into the only major tournament the nineteen-year-old has never won – the European Championships.
Littler will take the stage on Saturday looking to defend his World Matchplay crown, facing young German Niko Springer. While Springer is yet to really breakthrough on a televised stage, he claimed a maiden European Tour title in his debut season before recording notable victories against Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam.
The pair have one previously meeting, with Littler claiming a deciding leg victory on the Players Championship circuit early last year, despite a 105.25 average from the German.There are records to be beaten everywhere Littler goes, weather it’s unbeaten streaks on prize money milestones, but history itself awaits in Blackpool.
He has the opportunity to become the first man to defend the Title in a decade. With such a brilliant talent, trophies come first and records will always follow.
Words: Thomas Nankivell
Images: PDC
