Nathan Aspinall beaten by Luke Littler in 2026 World Matchplay second round

Nathan Aspinall’s World Matchplay run ended in Blackpool on Monday night as Luke Littler claimed an 11-8 victory in the second round on 21 July 2026.

What happened?

Aspinall, the 16th seed, produced a strong first-round showing against Joe Cullen but couldn’t match Littler’s scoring rhythm. Littler started brightly, built a 6-2 lead inside eight legs, and never let the pressure slip. Aspinall pushed back to 8-9 but couldn’t force the decider, sealing the defeat with a dart at double 12 that landed in the single ring.

Why it matters for Nathan Aspinall

The loss ends Aspinall’s 2026 World Matchplay campaign after one win. His first-round average of 105 against Cullen showed sharp form, yet Littler’s 109.5 in the second half of his opener underlined the gulf in scoring when Littler is at his best. Aspinall’s tournament exit leaves the field wide open as the quarter-finals approach.

How Littler set the pace

Littler’s route to the second round included a nine-darter against Josh Rock, a match hailed as one of the best legs ever televised. Against Aspinall, Littler kept the momentum, hitting 14 180s and converting 42% of doubles. Aspinall managed 11 maximums but leaked six crucial doubles in the last six legs to fall short.

What comes next in the World Matchplay

The quarter-finals line up with Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting and Littler among the eight remaining players. Anderson faces Jonny Clayton, while van Gerwen meets Dirk van Duijvenbode in Tuesday’s action. Aspinall will now focus on his next event after a promising but ultimately short-lived run in Blackpool.