Luke Littler has once again voiced his ambition to be recognised as the "greatest darts player ever" after his emphatic defence of the Betfred World Matchplay title. The 19‑year‑old’s recent triumph has sparked fresh comparisons with the legendary Phil Taylor, whose record‑breaking career set the benchmark for the sport. The Blackpool Winter Gardens witnessed a historic moment when Littler became the first competitor since Michael van Gerwen to retain the World Matchplay crown. This victory adds to a remarkable run in 2026, during which he has already secured every major PDC title on the calendar.
The list of his achievements continues to grow, and with each new accolade he edges closer to the lofty standards set by his childhood idol. Littler’s résumé reads like a litany of firsts. He has already defended his World Championship and UK Open titles, claimed the Winmau World Masters, won the Premier League, and lifted the World Cup of Darts. The teenager now sets his sights on further victories in the coming months and years, determined to add even more trophies to his burgeoning collection.
"I don’t think anyone has ever won every major in a calendar year, and that’s what we’re aiming for," Littler told Sky Sports. "My family backs me 100 percent – that support fuels everything I do.
I would absolutely love to be the greatest darts player that ever lived. As I’ve said before, I need to win 16 world titles and then see how my record stacks up against Phil Taylor’s." He added that his career is still in its infancy: "I have plenty of years left. When will I retire? No idea.
I still have a lot of fuel in the tank." The Matchplay win was described by Littler as "one of the best weeks of my life". He dominated the final against Gerwyn Price, posting a tournament‑average of 111.04 – the highest ever recorded at a World Matchplay, eclipsing Taylor’s 2010 best of 106.31. He also broke his own record for the most 180s in a single Matchplay, underlining his capacity for both consistency and explosive scoring. "I’m thrilled with my performances, not just in the final but throughout the eight‑day event," he said.
"It’s crazy to think that my lowest average was 109 – still an incredible figure." To equal Taylor’s total of 16 World Matchplay titles, Littler would need to keep winning the event until roughly 2040, a daunting but not impossible target given his current trajectory. A look back at history highlights the magnitude of Littler’s rise.
In 2007, six months after Littler was born, Taylor suffered a rare quarter‑final exit at the Matchplay – only the second such defeat of the century for the English powerhouse. Seven years later, while Littler was still in primary school, Taylor was on the cusp of a seventh consecutive Matchplay crown, a streak that saw him win 38 straight matches and lose just eight times over a 24‑year span. No modern player has come close to matching those figures.
Statistically, the gap between the two is narrowing. Littler’s 111.04 average sits just 0.5 points shy of Taylor’s record set at the 2009 European Championship, despite Littler playing more than twice the number of legs in that tournament. "I can still improve," Littler insisted at his press conference. "At one point I was averaging 120.
I didn’t sustain it, but perhaps in a few years I’ll be able to hold that level until the match is over. Right now I’m playing some of my best darts and I need to keep it that way." Peers and officials have taken notice.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter praised Littler’s dominance, noting that his £3 million prize‑money haul in the last 12 months is unprecedented. "The mindset of opponents today isn’t the same as in Taylor’s era," Porter explained. "Back then, reaching a final was a career highlight. Now players like Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and others are all fighting for titles, not just numbers.
Luke is almost unstoppable at the moment. No one is truly unstoppable, but his level forces others to raise theirs just to have a chance." Looking ahead, Littler has several high‑profile events on his calendar. He will defend his title at the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix (28 September–4 October) and the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts (14–22 November).
A successful run at the European Championship (22–25 October) would give him his first TV‑ranked title, and a clean sweep of all three would leave only the Players Championship Finals (27–29 November) needed to complete a full calendar‑year major sweep. When comparing eras, it’s worth noting that Taylor’s spectacular 2009 season omitted the Premier League and the World Cup of Darts – the latter didn’t launch until the following year – while Michael van Gerwen’s 2016 dominance missed out on a World Cup victory as well. Littler, therefore, has a unique opportunity to surpass both legends by capturing every major title available in a single season.
Littler has been selective with ProTour events this year, leaving his qualification for the Players Championship Finals in question. However, his recent victory and the prospect of a historic clean sweep have prompted a reassessment of his schedule.
"Going into the tournament I’d already won every major, so this was the next step," he said. "I’ve been watching the Pro Tour rankings – the 64th spot, which is the final qualification place, keeps moving up.
There are four Players Championship events in Leicester I need to attend. Whether I qualify or not, I’ll be under scrutiny either way." In just over two and a half years as a professional, Littler has already cemented his status as one of darts’ greats.
The notion that he will continue to improve, chase further records, and perhaps one day eclipse the achievements of Phil Taylor is both thrilling and a little intimidating for the sport’s followers. Fans can catch his quest for more television silverware live on Sky Sports, with the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship all on the horizon. The future of darts looks bright, and Luke Littler is poised to be its brightest star.