Luke Littler has once again voiced his ambition to be recognised as the "greatest darts player ever" after a commanding defence of his Betfred World Matchplay crown. The 19‑year‑old’s latest triumph has intensified the debate about how his achievements stack up against the legendary Phil Taylor, whose record‑breaking career set the benchmark for the sport. At Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Littler completed a historic week by becoming the first player since Michael van Gerwen to successfully retain the World Matchplay title. This victory added to an already impressive haul of PDC major titles in 2026, reinforcing his status as the most successful player of the calendar year so far.
The list of superlatives that could be used to describe Littler’s brilliance is quickly running out of space. The teenage phenom is scaling generational heights, already eclipsing several milestones once held by his childhood idol, Phil Taylor. Littler has already defended the World Championship and the UK Open, captured the Winmau World Masters, the Premier League, and the World Cup of Darts. At just 19, he is now focused on extending his dominance in the months and years ahead.
"I don’t think anyone has ever won every major in a single calendar year and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for," Littler told Sky Sports. "My family backs me 100 percent – that support fuels everything I do." He went on to say, "I would absolutely love to be the greatest darts player that ever lived. As I’ve always said, I need to win 16 world titles and then look at whatever else Phil Taylor achieved. I have plenty of years left.
When will I retire? No idea – I still have a lot of fuel in the tank." During the tournament, Littler posted a staggering 111.04 average across his five matches, shattering Taylor’s 2010 best of 106.31 and breaking his own record for the most 180s thrown at a World Matchplay.
"I’m very pleased with my performances, not just in the final but throughout the eight‑day event," he added. "It’s crazy to think that my lowest average was still 109!" While Littler now holds the trophy that bears Taylor’s name, matching the legend’s total of World Matchplay titles would require him to win the event every year until 2040.
To put that in perspective, in 2007—just six months after Littler’s birth—Taylor suffered a quarter‑final exit at the same venue, a rarity in his career. Seven years later, after Littler had left primary school, Taylor was still unbeaten at the Winter Gardens, completing a seventh straight World Matchplay victory and a record 38‑match winning streak. The statistical comparison between the two is striking.
Littler’s tournament‑winning average is the second‑highest ever recorded, just 0.5 points shy of Taylor’s 2009 European Championship average, despite playing more than twice the number of legs that week. "I can still improve," Littler insisted at the press conference. "At one point I was averaging 120. I didn’t hold onto it, but maybe in a few years I’ll be able to sustain that level to the very end of a match.
Right now I’m playing some of my best darts and I just need to keep it up." Former world champion Gerwyn Price described Littler as "one in a million," and his peers have showered him with praise for another major TV title. The depth of talent at the top of the sport makes his achievements even more impressive. PDC chief executive Matt Porter told Sky Sports, "Luke’s dominance over the past 12 months has been very Taylor‑esque, which is why he’s already amassed £3 million in prize money – a figure we’ve never seen before. The mentality of today’s opponents is different from Taylor’s era; players like Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, Michael Van Gerwen, and others aren’t content with just reaching a final.
Luke is almost unstoppable at the moment. No one is truly unstoppable, but anyone who wants to beat him will have to raise their game dramatically." Looking ahead, Littler faces further title defences at the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix (28 September‑4 October) and the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November). He already enjoys a record‑breaking lead at the top of the PDC rankings.
A win at the European Championship (22‑25 October) would give him his elusive TV‑ranked title, and securing the Players Championship Finals (27‑29 November) would complete a sweep of every major and premier televised event in a single year. Taylor’s remarkable 2009 season, while lacking a Premier League crown and the World Cup of Darts (which debuted the following year), still set a high bar. Michael Van Gerwen’s 2016 dominance also missed World Cup glory.
Littler now has the opportunity to surpass both by capturing every major in a single campaign. In recent weeks, Littler has been selective about ProTour events, leaving his qualification for the Players Championship Finals uncertain.
However, his latest victory and the prospect of clinching all majors have prompted a reassessment of his schedule. "Going into the tournament I had already won every major, so this was the next step," he explained. "I’ve been watching the ProTour 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, so who knows what will happen." In just over two and a half years as a professional, Littler has already cemented his place among the sport’s greats.
The notion that he will continue to improve and chase further records is both daunting and exhilarating for fans and rivals alike. Catch Luke Littler’s quest for additional TV silverware live on Sky Sports, including the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship. Stream darts and other top‑level sports without a contract for a seamless viewing experience.