Luke Littler has once again voiced his ambition to be recognised as the "greatest darts player ever" after his commanding defense of the Betfred World Matchplay title. The 19‑year‑old’s latest triumph has sparked fresh comparisons with Phil Taylor’s historic run of record‑breaking achievements.
The Blackpool Winter Gardens witnessed a landmark moment when Littler became the first player since Michael van Gerwen to retain the World Matchplay crown, adding to a remarkable streak of victories in every PDC major contested in 2026 so far. Each new accomplishment seems to fill another page of the sport’s record book, and the teenager is rapidly scaling generational heights, already eclipsing many milestones once held by his childhood idol, Taylor. Littler entered the week already on a roll, having successfully defended his World Championship and UK Open titles, and having captured the Winmau World Masters, Premier League and World Cup of Darts.
The 19‑year‑old now sets his sights on further glory in the months and years ahead. "I don't think anyone has ever won every major in the calendar year and that is what we are pushing for," Littler told Sky Sports. "The family, they are always backing me a million per cent and that is what drives me on." He went on to say, "I would absolutely love to be the greatest dart player there ever has been. As I have always said, I have got to win 16 of these, 16 worlds, and then have a look at whatever else Phil Taylor did win.
I have plenty more years. When am I going to retire?
Who knows. I still have plenty of years left in the tank." Littler’s performance at the Matchplay was nothing short of spectacular.
He posted an average of 111.04 across five matches, shattering Taylor’s 2010 benchmark of 106.31, and broke his own record for the most 180s in a World Matchplay tournament. "I am very happy with myself and the performances, not only in the final but the past eight days, every round," he added. "It is crazy to say that the 109 average was my worst average throughout the tournament!" While Littler now holds the trophy that bears Taylor’s name, matching the legendary "Power"’s total of World Matchplay titles would require him to win the event every year until 2040.
For perspective, in 2007—just six months after Littler’s birth—Taylor suffered a quarter‑final exit at the Matchplay, a rarity at that stage of his career. Seven years later, after Littler had finished his second year of primary school, Taylor was still unbeaten at the venue and was closing in on a seventh consecutive Matchplay title, a run that included 38 straight victories.
The statistical gap between the two is narrowing. Littler’s tournament‑winning average ranks as the second‑highest ever recorded, just half a point shy of Taylor’s 2009 European Championship average, despite playing more than twice the number of legs. "I can still get better," Littler insisted at the press conference. "I can obviously get a lot better.
Through the matches I was up to a 120 average at one point. I didn’t stick at it, but maybe in a few years’ time I will stick at it and go up to that when the match is finished. At the minute, I’m playing some of the best stuff and I’ve just got to keep it there." PDC chief executive Matt Porter praised Littler’s recent dominance, noting that his earnings of £3 million in prize money surpass any previous player’s haul. "Luke’s dominance over the last 12 months has been very Taylor‑esque and that’s why he’s reached that figure, which is a huge figure and one that we’ve never had before," Porter said.
He added that the mindset of today’s opponents differs from Taylor’s era, with modern players like Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Jonny Clayton all striving for more than a single final appearance. Looking ahead, Littler faces further title defenses at the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix (28 September–4 October) and the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts (14–22 November). He also aims to capture the elusive TV‑ranked European Championship (22–25 October).
Securing those three events would leave only the Players Championship Finals (27–29 November) to complete a clean sweep of every major and televised tournament in a single calendar year. Comparing eras, Taylor’s stellar 2009 season lacked both the Premier League title and the World Cup of Darts, which debuted the following year, while Michael van Gerwen’s 2016 dominance missed World Cup glory as well. Littler therefore has a unique opportunity to outshine both legends by winning every major available in his career. Littler has been selective with ProTour events this season, leaving his qualification for the Players Championship Finals uncertain.
However, his recent victory and the prospect of a calendar‑year grand slam have prompted a reassessment of his schedule. "Coming into the tournament I’d won every major so far so this is what I wanted to do," he explained. "I have been checking the Pro Tour rankings – whoever is in 64th (final qualification spot) just keeps going up and up!
I know there are four Players Championship events in Leicester I have got to go to now. If I don’t qualify I will get grilled and if I qualify I will get grilled anyway, so who knows what is going to 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 could continue to improve, shatter more records, and perhaps one day eclipse the achievements of Phil Taylor is both daunting and exhilarating for fans and rivals alike.
His journey will be closely followed as he competes for further TV silverware on Sky Sports, including the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship, offering viewers a front‑row seat to what may become one of the most remarkable careers in darts history.