Although the history of professional darts stretches back less than six decades, the sport has already produced a series of iconic players.
Having won every major competition on multiple occasions, Phil ‘the Power’ Taylor is undoubtedly the most famous archer of all time. Taylor’s meteoric rise coincided with the establishment of the WDC (which later rebranded itself as the PDC) in 1992, a development that served to completely revolutionise the sport.
Although professional darts experienced a huge surge in popularity throughout the 1980s, many still dismissed it as a glorified pub game played by heavy drinkers rather than credible athletes.
At that stage, the British Darts Organisation (BDO) – a founder member of the transnational World Darts Federation (WDF) – was the sport’s chief regulatory body, and was therefore empowered to organise international tournaments, attract potential sponsors, and negotiate broadcasting contracts.
Frustrated with the BDO’s inability to secure what they considered to be a suitable level of investment, a group of 16 ‘rebel’ players broke away and created the World Darts Council (WDC), an alternate regulator that proposed an ambitious plan for the future.
A landmark television deal with Sky Sports was soon brokered, lending further credibility to the WDC project and pre-empting a further migration of players.
By the late 1990s, the newly established organisation (now named the PDC) had replaced the BDO as the sport’s leading governing body, and successfully engaged a younger audience by making darts a far more marketable product.
This process undoubtedly helped to inspire a new generation of darts players, with the likes of Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, and Gerwyn Price picking up their first set of arrows after watching their heroes perform at televised PDC events.
However, it’s also crucial to recognise the vital role of professional darts’ early pioneers. The noble efforts of this group – which includes legends such as Leighton Rees, Eric Bristow, Bobby George, and Jocky Wilson – catapulted the sport into the mainstream, as their charismatic showmanship, endearing charm, and extraordinary throwing talents captured the hearts and minds of a legion of adoring fans.
Furthermore, they sowed the seeds for future players to earn significant prize sums, helped to establish competitive game formats, and made Lakeside – which remains the home of the annual WDF (earlier BDO) World Championships – one of Britain’s most recognisable sporting venues.
As a consequence, our top ten list includes a healthy mix of past and present players.
Ranking criteria
All ranking lists of sports stars are prone to an element of subjectivity, as they’re at least partially dependent on the views and opinions of their authors.
In order to be as objective as possible when judging the merits of competitors, it’s imperative to use a set of tangible measures to help form any conclusions.
The volume of titles earned is the most obvious way to distinguish varying levels of success, but consistently reaching the latter stages of tournaments is also an indicator of high performance.
It’s also important to understand how prestigious each event is, as beating a talented field in a high-pressure environment clearly carries more weight than winning a periphery competition which hasn’t been selected for television coverage.
Furthermore, a player’s overall statistics and personal records should be assessed, as these help to build a better picture of their career highs and lows.
Most on the professional circuit are capable of producing momentary flashes of brilliance, but it takes a world-class competitor to sustain peak form over an extended period of time. Therefore, longevity is always a crucial factor.
Lastly, we must also consider the role, influence, and legacy of top players, as this is undoubtedly more important than the size of their respective trophy cabinets.
Whether encouraging young followers to compete in grassroots events, taking an active role in the initial or continued development of the sport, or making efforts to engage with fans and champion the role of spectators, the very best extend their impact well beyond the oche.
So, who makes the cut?
10. Dennis Priestley
The first player to win a World Championship across both BDO and PDC codes, Dennis Priestley was a shining light during a golden era for darts.
The Yorkshireman claimed his maiden world title in 1991 after thrashing the legendary Eric Bristow in a one-sided showpiece at Lakeside, having already eliminated reigning champion Phil Taylor earlier in the competition. A BDO World Masters crown came the following year, before ‘The Menace’ conspired with 15 of his peers to create the WDC.
Although he would once again defeat Taylor in the 1994 WDC World Championship final, Priestley fell victim to the Stoke-born superstar on numerous occasions.
The talented pair enjoyed an intense but extremely friendly rivalry throughout the 1990s, spending time with one another away from darts, sharing prize money, and exchanging plenty of banter on the stage.
Thanks to his industrious work ethic, steely determination, and unnerving ability to remain calm in challenging moments, the PDC Hall of Famer was able to extend his professional career beyond his 60th birthday. He undoubtedly deserves to appear in any list of the sport’s most influential players.
9. Luke Humphries
Having won all but three of the PDC’s premier events, 30-year-old Luke Humphries has already cemented his status as one of darts' all-time greats.
The Berkshire-born archer also helped England claim a fifth World Cup in 2024, combining forces with Michael Smith to achieve success at the fourteenth edition of darts’ annual international tournament.
The past twelve months have been particularly fruitful for the two-time UK Open runner-up, having clinched silverware at the PDC World Masters before overcoming familiar foe Luke Littler in the Premier League play-off final in May. Humphries also hit two televised nine-dart finishes during a memorable 2025 campaign.
After navigating the quickest route to zero during his Premier League quarter-final meeting with Rob Cross, he repeated the feat against his aforementioned former World Cup teammate at last November’s Grand Slam of Darts.
Adopting the same nickname as the unflappable character portrayed by Paul Newman in Stuart Rosenberg’s 1967 crime thriller, ‘Cool Hand Luke’ is renowned for his composed demeanour. Also equipped with immense poise and precision, Humphries heads into every tournament as one of the underwhelming favourites.
8. John Part
Affectionately known as ‘Darth Maple’ by darts followers in his native Canada and beyond, John Part disrupted the established order when he arrived on the WDF circuit in the early 1990s.
The charismatic Torontonian would regularly feature in the final of the sport’s most revered tournaments, while also building up a healthy collection of trophies earned at non-televised events.
After defeating Bobby George in the first BDO World Championship final since the sport’s controversial split, Part would later claim the PDC’s top prize following an epic duel with Phil Taylor at Circus Tavern.
This not only meant the Canadian became the first non-European to be crowned world champion in both codes, but also ended Taylor’s remarkable streak of eight successive titles.
Having cultivated a reputation as one of the best ‘spotters’ in the business, the 59-year-old has delivered commentary for several high-profile broadcasters.
Currently working for Sky Sports, Part’s knack of identifying a player’s potential next shot and quickly calculating finishing sequences continues to enhance the network’s coverage of PDC events.
7. Luke Littler
Teenage sensation Luke Little burst onto the scene at the 2024 PDC World Championships, eliminating a series of elite-level players – such as Raymond van Barneveld, Brendan Dolan, and Rob Cross – before coming unstuck against Luke Humphries in a thrilling finale.
Later that same year, Littler emerged triumphant at the World Series and Grand Slam of Darts, having already avenged his defeat to Humphries on the decisive evening of the Premier League season. As a result, he pocketed over £1 million in prize money before celebrating his eighteenth birthday.
A whirlwind 2025 then followed, which saw the Warrington-born youngster win no less than six televised PDC tournaments. This incredible sequence of triumphs started with a maiden world title, earning this accolade after confidently overcoming Michael van Gerwen at the Alexandra Palace.
Littler put James Wade to the sword in the UK Open and World Matchplay finals, before intensifying his growing rivalry with Humphries en route to landing the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts crowns. Despite only scraping through to the Players Championship Finals with just two qualification events remaining, the Nuke would leave Butlins’ Minehead Resort with his ninth major trophy.
Expected to continue building his hegemony over the course of the next few decades, could Littler one day surpass Phil Taylor as the most decorated darts player ever?
6. Gary Anderson
Although he’s delivered a handful of iconic moments throughout his glittering career, Gary Anderson’s finest hour came at the PDC World Championships in January 2015. Four years on from his heartbreaking defeat to Adrian Lewis, the Flying Scotsman edged out Phil Taylor in a pulsating PDC final, despite his opponent scoring a 100.69 three-dart average.
He returned to the Alexandra Palace a year later to successfully defend his title, ironically beating Lewis after delivering several dazzling displays en route to the final.
Throughout his 2016 World Championship campaign, the three-time PDC Fans’ Player of the Year recorded two maximum checkouts, amassed over a half-century of 180s, and struck his second-ever televised nine-darter during his semi-final contest with Dutchman underdog Jelle Klaasen.
Anderson arguably reached the peak of his powers in 2018, when he won the UK Open and World Matchplay before sweeping aside the field at the penultimate edition of the short-lived Champions League of Darts.
Although he’s been unable to replicate this scintillating form in recent years, the veteran archer has still remained a dominant figure on the PDC circuit.
After his infamous heated exchange with Gerwyn Price on the Aldersley Leisure Village stage three years earlier, Anderson succumbed to the fiery Welshman at the 2021 World Championships.
Price would inflict further misery – with the help of compatriot Jonny Clayton – on Anderson eighteen months later, as Wales hammered Scotland by an eight-set margin in the 2023 World Cup final.
He may not be the compelling force he once was, but don’t be surprised if he acquires one or two more pieces of silverware before eventually putting down his arrows.
5. John Lowe
Famed for his stern gaze, emotionless expression, and unapologetically ruthless approach, the nickname ‘Old Stoneface’ suits darts legend John Lowe. The Derbyshire-born icon became a world champion in three different decades, illustrating his incredible consistency across a remarkable 30-year career.
Before becoming a founding member of the WDC, Lowe played an instrumental role in the successful professionalisation of darts via his assured performances, calculated methodology, and affable personality.
After losing to Leighton Rees in the final of the inaugural BDO World Championships in Nottingham, he won the second edition of the competition by beating the Welshman at the Jollees Cabaret Club.
A further two world titles arrived ahead of the PDC’s formal inception, which were both acquired at Lakeside following victories over English opposition.
Lowe made history in October 1984 when he arrowed in the first-ever televised nine-darter at the MFI World Matchplay, a moment that will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to watch it unfold.
In addition to earning a cool £102,000 for his landmark finish in his quarter-final clash with Keith ‘The Fella’ Deller, the former England captain went on to win the entire tournament.
Although the transition to the PDC came during the twilight stages of his incredible career, Lowe still managed to compete with a fresh wave of exciting young talent.
He reached the semi-final stage of both the newly-introduced World Championships and World Matchplay on two occasions, before also progressing to the last four at the 2001 World Grand Prix.
Having leveraged his considerable profile and status to support a number of charitable causes, Lowe was deservedly awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours.
4. Raymond van Barneveld
Serenaded by his notorious ‘Barmy Army’ whenever he takes to the stage, Raymond van Barneveld’s popularity has never wavered throughout the entirety of his illustrious career.
The giant Dutchman claimed four BDO world titles at Lakeside before switching codes in February 2006, having cited his eagerness to compete against the greatest darts players on the planet.
It didn’t take him long to prove he could mix it with the cream of the crop, as he proceeded to the final of the PDC World Championships less than eleven months after leaving the WDF.
One of the greatest matches in the game’s history then followed, as Barney fought back from 3-0 down to eventually defeat Phil Taylor via a sudden-death leg.
However, the four-time World Cup winner has found the going much tougher over the course of the last decade. Having stated his intention to quit darts on two separate occasions during 2019, van Barneveld regained his PDC tour card just fourteen months after his ‘second’ retirement.
Since then, he’s failed to make any kind of decisive impact at a major tournament, with the possible exception of a semi-final appearance in the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts.
Although his playing days appear to be numbered, van Barneveld will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy when he eventually decides to (permanently) retire.
Alongside compatriot and former World Cup partner Michael van Gerwen, Barney has inspired and helped to cultivate a new generation of competitive Dutch players, with the likes of reigning European Championship titleholder Gian van Veen and 2022 UK Open champion Danny Noppert now capably flying the flag for the Netherlands.
3. Eric Bristow
One of the most outspoken yet talented players to have ever graced the oche, Eric Bristow captivated audiences with a unique blend of working-class charm, egotistical behaviour, and an immensely unorthodox throwing technique.
With his pinky outstretched in an ultra-casual stance, the ‘Crafty Cockney’ would confidently take on any shot regardless of its complexity.
No player has won more WDF World Masters titles, with Bristow claiming all five of his during a remarkable seven-year period.
The Hackney-born hero was also crowned BDO world champion on five separate occasions, but was unable to clinch the equivalent PDC honour after helping to form the breakaway organisation almost 20 years on from his first competitive clash.
Although he navigated a series of high-profile tussles against several different opponents, Bristow’s most enduring rivalries were shared with the imperturbable John Lowe and swashbuckling Scotsman Jocky Wilson.
While his battles against Lowe represented a simple clash of personalities, meetings with Wilson inevitably produced a volatile atmosphere owing to the two players’ maverick nature.
In one particularly unsavoury confrontation between the pair, Bristow had to be restrained after Wilson kicked him forcefully in the shin ahead of a World Cup match between England and Scotland in Edinburgh.
Bristow’s untimely death in April 2018 was met with an outpouring of grief, as the global darts community mourned the passing of one of its most influential figures.
2. Michael van Gerwen
Although he’s currently playing second fiddle to English namesakes Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, the Michael van Gerwen dynasty may yet be resurrected.
The dynamic Dutchman is virtually unstoppable at his scintillating best, but several problems both on and off the stage have undermined his progress over the last couple of years. Nevertheless, van Gerwen remains one of the most feared competitors on the PDC circuit.
The Green Machine’s career really took flight during the 2013 PDC World Championships, when he almost became the first player in history to record back-to-back nine-darters during his semi-final victory over James Wade.
He’s gone on to deliver another seven perfect legs since then, with his latest coming in November 2023 at the Players Championship Finals.
When reflecting on his exploits between 2015 and 2017, it's easier to name the major titles van Gerwen didn’t win rather than produce a list of his extensive successes.
Midway through this scintillating two-year period, MvG recorded the highest single match points average ever when he concluded his 2016 Premier League encounter with Michael Smith on a score of 123.40, which propelled him towards an emphatic 7-1 win.
Instinctive, intelligent, and able to adapt his approach depending on the changing dynamics of the game, van Gerwen still has the capacity to grind down any adversary on his day. Therefore, another deluge of silverware may eventually come his way…..
1. Phil Taylor
It’s difficult to find adequate superlatives to describe the majestic talents of Phil Taylor, who dominated the PDC landscape from its inception until the twilight years of his trophy-laden career.
If one were to create a blueprint for a flawless darts player, it would replicate the characteristics of the 16-time world champion. Equipped with a textbook throwing action, nerves of steel, and a cold-blooded competitive streak, Taylor would cast aside top-class opponents with consummate ease.
The statistics tell you everything you need to know. The Crafty Potter claimed an eye-watering 87 major honours as part of an overall haul of 214 professional titles, while breaking a seemingly endless list of records along the way.
This history of every televised PDC event is littered with his exploits, whether that be in relation to his points-scoring averages or the volume of silverware he claimed.
To maintain his status as the world’s very best over a number of decades, Taylor would need to consistently get the better of several players referenced in this top ten list, including the likes of Dennis Priestley, John Part, Raymond van Barneveld, and later Michael van Gerwen.
In fact, the only player to achieve a positive head-to-head record against him is fellow Englishman Rob Cross, who won his first and only encounter with Taylor back in January 2018.
That turned out to be the Power’s last appearance at the Alexandra Palace, as Cross lifted the World Championship title less than a year on from turning professional.
As awareness of his unparalleled success permeated its way into the wider public consciousness, Taylor began to add several other accolades to his colossal collection of darts crowns.
He was made an inaugural inductee into Stoke’s Sporting Hall of Fame in January 2010, before finishing as runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award – having been pipped to the post by Northern Irish jockey AP McCoy – eleven months later.
For the reasons outlined above and many others, pundits, players, and fans alike consider him to be the greatest of all time.