Darts has seen a deserved boom Since Luke Littler swept the nation with his debut at the PDC World Darts Championship, before winning it a year later. The teenage sensation has been nothing short of a revelation, which got us thinking. Who are the best darts players of all time and is Littler among them?
His competitive rivalry with world number one Luke Humphries has brought in record eyes to the sport. 11.9 million people watched their clash in the final, a sky-high darts record. Many darts predictions are forecasting yet another meeting between the two Lukes on the grandest stage of them all in 2026.
However, there were plenty before them and some compatriots have contributed even more to darts. We have seen incredible talent, captivating rivalries, and one particular era of dominance since the late 1970s. But who of them all was the best darts player of all time?
15. Martin Adams
Martin Adams probably doesn’t get the respect he deserves in the darts world due to the fact that he played his entire career in the BDO/WDF. However, ‘Wolfie’ deserves a spot on this list. Adams became a household name in the 1990s and dominated the BDO for more than two decades. He won three World Championships, six World Masters titles, and several other majors along the way.
His fluid throwing style and methodical approach allowed him to outlast opponents in long-format contests. That became a hallmark of his career. What sets Adams apart is his sheer longevity at the top level. He remained competitive for more than 25 years in the BDO/WDF, regularly reaching the latter stages of major tournaments.
For darts historians and fans, Martin Adams represents a bridge between eras. Although he only played a handful of PDC events, there is no denying that Wolfie is one of the darting greats. Politics may get in the way for some, but wherever he played, Martin Adams must be considered one of the best darts players of all time.
14. James Wade
James Wade deserves to be higher up this list based on pure ability, but that elusive World Championship title means he just misses out. Wade has won 11 PDC majors throughout his career, including the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, and the Premier League, showcasing remarkable consistency at the highest level.
Wade possesses one of the most precise and methodical throwing actions in the sport, which allows him to control matches and punish opponents’ mistakes. Fans and rivals alike admire his composure under pressure, earning him the nickname “The Machine” for his relentless, almost mechanical consistency on the oche.
What separates Wade from many of his contemporaries is not just his skill, but his longevity. Since bursting onto the PDC scene in the mid-2000s, he has been a constant presence in the later stages of televised majors. Agonisingly, he has reached the World Championship semi-finals four times, but has yet to reach the final. However, his consistency throughout all other majors in a career that spans more than 20 years and counting undoubtedly earns him a place on this list.
13. Gerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price is one of the most polarising figures in darts history, but his talent and ability are undeniable. That is what makes him one of the best darts players of all time. The former professional rugby player swapped the pitch for the oche in 2014 and has not looked back. He has won nine majors in the last seven years, including the coveted PDC World Championship in 2021.
Price’s intensity on stage is legendary. Nicknamed “The Iceman” for his ability to remain cool under pressure, the Welshman is notorious for his onstage antics, often winding up both his opponent and the crowd. What sets Price apart from many of his contemporaries is his ability to elevate his game on big occasions.
He thrives in high-pressure environments, whether in World Championship finals, Premier League showdowns, or Players Championship deciders. His confrontational on-stage persona may divide fans, but it is part of what drives him to push past rivals and claim major titles. He has redefined what it means to combine skill at the oche with a psychological edge, helping to provide endless entertainment in a trophy-filled career so far.
12. Luke Humphries
Luke Humphries has quickly become one of the most consistent players in darts. ‘Cool Hand’ broke out in 2023 and announced himself as a force on the pro tour. He mopped up three majors that year. His ability to maintain composure in tight matches, combined with an impressive scoring rhythm, has seen him climb up to the number one-ranked player in the world.
Humphries’ rise has been characterised not only by his victories but also by his consistency across televised events. He regularly averages above 100 in matches and has developed a reputation for producing clutch finishes when it matters most. This maturity and focus have allowed him to take down several of the sport’s established stars. His rivalry with Luke Littler has also captivated fans, with their head-to-head clashes drawing record audiences and elevating the profile of darts to unprecedented levels.
What makes Humphries particularly dangerous is his versatility. He can adapt his style to any opponent, switching between aggressive scoring and patient build-up as needed. His mental resilience, combined with a technically sound and powerful throwing action, positions him as a perennial favourite in finals. While he may not yet have the historical weight of legends like Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries is carving out his own legacy, and only one man stands in his way.
11. Luke Littler
There is no doubt that in the years to come, Luke Littler will appear higher up on this list. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him at the top of it. The Nuke burst onto the scene at just 16, when he made it to the final of the 2024 World Darts Championship, the youngest to ever accomplish this feat. He proved that it was no fluke by winning three PDC Premier Events in the year that followed, before going one better and winning the World Championship at his second time of trying, aged 17.
Littler has experienced continued success since, ascending to an even higher level in 2025. He has won four majors at the time of writing and reached the final of a further two. The teenager is the favourite to win the 2026 PDC World Championship in the darts betting.
What sets Littler apart from other young prodigies is his consistency. Unlike many rising stars who burn brightly for a season before fading, Littler has maintained peak form across multiple majors and continues to collect titles. He has demonstrated a maturity and mental resilience beyond his years.
He is already in the conversation with legends like Phil Taylor or Eric Bristow while his career is still unfolding. If he continues at this pace, winning majors and performing in high-pressure finals, there is every chance that within a decade, he will challenge the very notion of the greatest darts players of all time. For now, Luke Littler represents the future of darts: young, fearless, and supremely talented, with the ability to dominate the sport for years to come.
10. Peter Wright
Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright has not touched the heights of his most successful years recently, but the colourful Scotsman was the best player in the world, not all that long ago. His effervescent personality has lit up stages around the world for over two decades. He has backed up his bold showmanship with some of the best darts we have ever seen and the titles that come with it.
An enigma on and off the oche, Wright quit darts for over a decade after his appearance in the 1995 BDO World Championships. Snakebite returned in his late 30s and by the mid-2010s he became a force in the PDC, 20 years after calling it quits. He won his first major TV title in 2017, claiming the UK Open title and reaching the finals of the Premier League and Grand Slam.
Wright became one of the most dominant players on the PDC Tour for the next five years. Between 2020 and 2022, Snakebite claimed a World Matchplay title, The Masters, the Players Championship Finals, and the European Championship. However, his crowning glory came in 2020 when he got his hands on the grandest prize in darts, the PDC World Championship.
He repeated that feat two years later, becoming a two-time World Champion, World Matchplay Champion, and world number one in 2022. Wright’s comeback did more than just make up for lost time. It established him as one of the best darts players of all time.
9. John Part
John Part is North America’s greatest export in the sport of darts. The Canadian was a mainstay throughout the noughties after making the switch from the BDO to the PDC in 1997. Despite never making a splash in the BDO, Part was a force in the sport at a time when Phil Taylor was dominating the board. Darth Maple’s on-stage no-nonsense persona allowed him to tap into an incredible competitive streak that helped him to several major titles.
Part’s first major title came in fairytale fashion. He had played second fiddle to Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor for most of 2002, losing to him in the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, and World Championship finals. Darth Maple looked destined to be the bridesmaid before he met Taylor in their fourth major final within a year at the 2003 World Championships.
Part finally got the better of The Power in a 7-6 thriller, winning his first major on the grandest stage of them all. He claimed the Desert Classic title in 2006 before winning his second world title in 2008. John Part probably doesn’t have the number of titles that some of these entrants have, but Darth Maple competed with, played on par, and defeated the best darts players of all time at his peak.
8. Dennis Priestley
Dennis “The Menace” Priestley was a late starter in darts. The Yorkshireman didn’t begin his professional career until his late 30s, joining the BDO just a year before the split with the WDC (later the PDC). However, his determination and finely honed skills meant he hit the ground running. His early days in the BDO gifted us with some of the finest performances of the era.
Priestley won the 1991 Embassy World Darts Championship at the famous Lakeside Country Club barely a year after making his debut. The Menace proved it was no fluke with the calibre of players he beat to get there. He saw off defending world champion Phil Taylor, 1988 world champion Bob Anderson, and five-time world champion Eric Bristow in a clean sweep in the final.
Priestley won the BDO World Masters the following year before joining the PDC. In 1994, he became the first player to win both the BDO and PDC World Championships. The Menace reached four World Championship finals between 1996 and 2000, losing them all to Phil Taylor. Like many players of his era, Priestley didn’t win the number of titles that his ability deserved because of the dominance of Phil Taylor. However, like Part, his ability to compete with and beat Taylor on several occasions proves how good The Menace was.
7. Adrian Lewis
Anyone who watched Adrian Lewis at his peak, be it a fan or a playing rival, will tell you that he is arguably the most naturally gifted darts player of all time. “Jackpot” was destined to be one of the greats from a young age, coming up as a protégé of Phil Taylor in Stoke-On-Trent. Although thought of as a veteran today, Lewis is still just 39 years old. Jackpot was on top of the sport at just 25.
Lewis first showed his promise when reaching the 2006 World Series US Open final at just 21. He lost to Taylor, but his performance was a warning that Jackpot was on his way to the top. He lost his next two finals at the European Championships and World Grand Prix to Taylor and James Wade. However, still a young man, Jackpot would claim his first major title in 2011. He defeated Gary Anderson in the world championship final, becoming the youngest-ever PDC Worlds winner at 25.
Lewis also became the first man to hit a nine-darter in a world final in that game. Jackpot became the third man ever to retain his world title a year later. A two-time world champion, four-time World Cup winner, European champion, and UK Open champion, Lewis has played in the final of every major PDC tournament except the Grand Slam. Lewis is maybe the most gifted player we have ever seen and at 39, there is still time to mount a comeback should he regain his tour card.
6. John Lowe
John Lowe is one of the forefathers of professional darts. Nicknamed “Old Stoneface” due to his unflappable demeanour and oche presence, Lowe was one of the sport’s first superstars some 45 years before Luke Littler and Luke Humphries were raking in 11.9 million viewers. Lowe’s talents spanned three different decades, making his first appearance in the BDO in 1976.
Old Stoneface won his first world title in 1979 before embarking on incredible competitive rivalries with Jocky Wilson and Eric Bristow throughout the 1980s. Lowe made history when he hit the first televised nine-darter in 1984 in his match with Keith Deller. He claimed his second world title in 1987, defeating Bristow 6-4 and his third in 1993. Lowe is one of the most important figures in darts history. In 2019 was awarded an MBE for services to the sport.
Lowe’s place in the history of the sport is concrete. He is a founding member of the PDC, heading the split in 1993. Old Stoneface was one of the most talented players of his era, with only Bristow eclipsing him. John Lowe deserves his spot as one of the best darts players of all time.
5. Gary Anderson
The argument about who is the most naturally gifted darts player of all time usually comes down to Adrian Lewis and this man, “The Flying Scotsman” Gary Anderson. The fluidity of his throw has dazzled fans for over a decade. Anderson has always had a knack for darts, claiming that his first nine darts were 140, 180, and 140. He enjoyed a successful stint in the BDO, winning four majors, before switching to the PDC in 2009.
Anderson made an immediate splash in the PDC, reaching the final of the UK Open in 2010 in an 11-5 loss to Phil Taylor. The Flying Scotsman dominated an electric 2011 alongside Lewis and Taylor, reaching four finals against either man and winning one in the Premier League. He reached the pinnacle of darts in 2015 when he defeated Taylor in a 7-6 thriller for the World Championship. Anderson retained his title the following year, peaking at number two in the world.
Gary Anderson has eight PDC majors to his name and is still dazzling with his smooth throw in 2024, experiencing a renaissance at 53 years old. The Flying Scotsman is one of only three players to retain the PDC World Championship alongside Taylor and Lewis. That company alone tells you why Gary Anderson is one of the best darts players of all time.
4. Raymond van Barneveld
The top four in this list are hard to finalise, but most all darts fans will agree that they comprise these next three players. Raymond van Barneveld narrowly misses out on the top three. The Dutchman is one of the most decorated players of all time and on both sides of the split. Barney made his pro debut in the BDO in 1987 but didn’t break out until the mid-late 90s.
Van Barneveld won his first major in 1995, fittingly claiming his maiden BDO title at the Finder Masters in his native Holland. He reached his first World Championship final that same year but lost to Ritchie Burnett. Barney finally hit the jackpot in 1998, beating Burnett to claim his first BDO world title. He retained it the following year and left for the PDC in 2006, having won 18 BDO majors.
The Dutchman’s switch to the PDC was seamless. He won the UK Open in June before defeating Phil Taylor for the PDC World Championship in his first-ever appearance in the tournament and arguably the greatest final of all time. His rivalry with Taylor over the next 10 years, and eventually Michal Van Gerwen, was captivating. Barney claimed another five majors in the PDC before taking a hiatus in 2019. He returned in 2021 and is still hunting for majors nearly 40 years after his debut.
Van Barneveld is one of the most decorated players of all time, and his battles with Taylor and van Gerwen further established him as one of the best darts players. In fact, without Barney, there likely is no Michal van Gerwen. He was largely responsible for the sports boom in Europe. A blend of skill and legacy put Barney firmly in the top four.
3. Eric Bristow
Eric Bristow was the first household name in darts. “The Crafty Cockney” was a bona fide superstar in the 1980s and launched the BDO into the stratosphere in Britain. His battles with Jocky Wilson and John Lowe captivated audiences and Bristow largely came out on top. He dominated the decade and his fingerprints are still all over the game we love today.
Bristow won the Winmau World Masters twice in the late 70s and was just waiting for his opportunity in the BDO Worlds. The Crafty Cockney pounced in 1980 to win his first world title, aged 22, and retained the following year. He had the sport in a chokehold and was far from finished dominating the biggest tournament in darts.
Bristow won three more world titles throughout the 80s and three World Masters titles. He remained the world’s number one throughout most of the decade and his stardom grew until he developed the dreaded ‘dartits’ in 1986. It was around that time he stumbled across a young, unknown amateur called Phil Taylor. Bristow funded the youngster’s development, parting with around £10k and helping Taylor usurp him as one of the best darts players of all time. He was later awarded an MBE for services to darts at the end of the decade.
The Crafty Cockney was one of the 16 players who formed the PDC, but his form never returned to its best. Regardless, Bristow’s dominance in the 80s was astonishing and the grandfather of darts is maybe the single most important figure in the sport’s history. His talent was unlike anything seen and he was always destined to be one of the best darts players of all time.
2. Michael van Gerwen
Several players have pushed Phil Taylor to his limits, but none like Michael van Gerwen. The Dutchman was tipped as the ‘Darts prodigy’ at 17 years old and made good on his early promise. MVG made his BDO debut in 2005 and won the World Masters a year later, still just 17. He hit a nine-darter the following year, forcing the sport to take notice of the next face of the darts.
Van Gerwen joined the PDC in 2007 and worked his way up against the best darts players in the world. By the 2010s, MVG was ready to take the sport by storm, and he did just that. He reached his first major televised PDC final in 2012, defeating Mervyn King for the World Grand Prix title. He stunned Taylor a month later, sending him crashing out of the Grand Slam of Darts in the second round with a 10-5 victory and a huge 108.38 average.
Van Gerwen reached his first world final that year but narrowly missed out to Taylor. However, it was clear that MVG had arrived. A year and two more majors later, MVG became the youngest PDC World Champion of all time when he defeated Peter Wright 7-4. Van Gerwen would continue to push The Power over the next few years and beat him in several major finals. The Dutchman was doing something we had never seen before in darts: he was getting to Phil Taylor.
Fast forward to 2024 and MVG has an insane 47 major titles (50 including World Cups) and a long list of records, including the highest-ever average at the World Championships with 114.05. The current world number three will take to the stage this winter and you can back him to pick up his fourth world title in the PDC World Championship betting. He is the only man in history to have pushed Taylor as far as he did. MVG has a winning record over the Power in finals with five victories and four defeats. The Dutchman overtook him as the number-one player in the world and held that moniker upon his retirement. Michael van Gerwen is the best darts player of all time whose name isn’t…
1. Phil Taylor
Who else? If you know even the first thing about darts, Phil Taylor is the greatest of all time. Even if you don’t, you probably know he is the best darts player ever. Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is the first name that comes to mind when you think of the sport and it will probably remain that way forever. The Power made his debut in the BDO in 1987 and won his maiden world title three years later in poetic fashion, defeating his sensei Eric Bristow.
Taylor won his second two years later before leading the split into the PDC. That is where arguably the most dominant era of all time across any sport began. Taylor reached 14 straight world finals between 1994 and 2007, winning 11 of them. He has a list of records and majors long enough to fill the dictionary, so here are just a few.
- 16 World Championships (2x BDO, 14x PDC)
- 16x World Matchplay winner
- 11x World Grand Prix winner
- 6x Grand Slam winner
- Most televised nine-darters in history (11)
- The only man to hit two nine-darters in one game
- Only darts player to be nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year Award
To put some of those achievements into perspective: there are only six multi-time PDC World Champions. Four of them have two, and MVG has three. Taylor has 16. Taylor has 11 televised nine-darters, MVG has 10, and the next best is five. The Power has the most major titles in darts history with 80, the second-best is 47.
To put it simply, Phil Taylor is undeniable and uncatchable. No player ever has and ever will achieve what he has. Van Gerwen is the closest, and he is still light-years away. Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is the darting talent to end all talents, the household name of all household names. Players like Taylor are responsible for many of the names still on stage. He brought a new level of competition that all players are aspiring towards. Phil Taylor is the best darts player of all time, and nobody will ever come close.
