Overview
- Luke Littler produced a 10-6 first-round win on Saturday at the Winter Gardens, averaging 109.53, hitting seven 180s and averaging over 123 in the final six legs to advance to the second round.
- Nathan Aspinall beat Joe Cullen 10-5, including a 167 checkout, and is set to meet Littler in a second-round best-of-21 legs tie.
- Stephen Bunting survived a dramatic 13-12 last-leg decider after saving match darts against Niels Zonneveld and will face Josh Rock in round two.
- Established names progressed and upset results followed: Michael van Gerwen won 10-6 over Andrew Gilding while Luke Humphries suffered a shock 10-7 first-round loss to Cameron Menzies.
- The event carries a £1m prize fund with £225,000 for the winner, is shown live on Sky Sports, and commentators say Littler’s form and comments about his 2026 targets have already prompted fresh odds and talking points for the rest of the tournament.