Luke Littler has once again voiced his ambition to become the "greatest darts player ever" after delivering a commanding defense of his Betfred World Matchplay crown. The 19‑year‑old’s latest triumph has reignited comparisons with the legendary Phil Taylor, whose record‑breaking career set the benchmark for generations of players. Littler capped a historic week at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens by becoming the first man since Michael van Gerwen to retain the World Matchplay title.
In doing so, he added another feather to his already impressive collection of PDC majors won in the 2026 season, joining a short list of players who have captured every major on offer within a single calendar year. The catalogue of darting superlatives that can be applied to Littler is growing at a breakneck pace. The teenage prodigy continues to climb to heights that were once thought to be the exclusive domain of his childhood idol, Phil Taylor.
While he has already eclipsed several of Taylor’s milestones, the question on everyone’s mind is whether he can ultimately surpass the all‑time great. Littler entered the season having already defended his World Championship and UK Open titles, and he also boasts victories in the Winmau World Masters, the Premier League, and the World Cup of Darts. At just 19, the Englishman now has his sights set on adding more trophies to his cabinet in the months and years ahead.
"I don’t think anyone has ever won every major in the calendar year and that’s what we’re pushing for," Littler told Sky Sports after his Matchplay win. "My family are always behind me 100 percent – that’s what drives me." He went on to explain his ultimate goal: "I would absolutely love to be the greatest darts player there ever has been. As I’ve always said, I need to win 16 world titles and then look at whatever else Phil Taylor achieved." When asked about his future, Littler shrugged off retirement plans. "I have plenty more years left in the tank.
Who knows when I’ll hang up the darts?" he laughed. ### A Record‑Breaking Performance Littler’s performance at the Matchplay was nothing short of spectacular. He posted a tournament‑average of 111.04 across five matches, shattering Phil Taylor’s 2010 benchmark of 106.31.
He also broke his own record for the most 180s thrown in a single World Matchplay event. "I’m very happy with myself and the performances, not only in the final but throughout the eight‑day event," Littler said.
"It’s crazy to think that my 109 average was actually my lowest figure of the week!" Despite holding the trophy that bears Taylor’s name, Littler would need to win the World Matchplay every year until 2040 just to equal Taylor’s total of 16 titles. For context, when Littler was born in 2007, Taylor was knocked out in the quarter‑finals of the same tournament – only the second time in the 21st century that "The Power" had been defeated at Blackpool. Seven years later, after Littler had left primary school, Taylor was still unbeaten at the venue, completing a seventh consecutive World Matchplay title and a run of 38 straight wins. No player since has come close to matching those feats.
### Statistical Parallels and Differences While the trophy comparison may seem uneven, the scoring numbers tell a different story. Littler’s 111.04 average ranks as the second‑highest tournament winning average in darts history, just 0.5 points shy of Taylor’s 111.54 from the 2009 European Championship – a remarkable achievement given that Littler played more than twice the number of legs. "I can still get better," Littler asserted at his press conference.
"At one point I was averaging 120, but I didn’t sustain it. Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to hold that level to the end of a match.
Right now I’m playing some of the best darts of my career and I just need to keep it up." ### Praise from Peers and Officials Gerwyn Price described Littler as "one in a million," while many of his fellow professionals have lauded his consistency and composure under pressure. PDC chief executive Matt Porter highlighted the financial milestone, noting that Littler has already amassed around £3 million in prize money – a figure unprecedented in the sport’s modern era.
Porter also pointed out a shift in mentality among today’s players. "Twenty years ago, reaching a final was considered a huge achievement.
Now you have Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall and others who are all aiming for the top. Luke is almost unstoppable at the moment.
No one is truly unstoppable, but his level forces everyone else to raise theirs if they want a chance." ### The Road Ahead Littler’s schedule is packed with high‑stakes events. 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 win at the European Championship (22–25 October) would give him a chance to claim the elusive TV‑ranked title, and securing all three would leave only the Players Championship Finals (27–29 November) standing between him and a clean sweep of every major and televised event in a single year.
For comparison, Taylor’s dominant 2009 season lacked both the Premier League title and the World Cup of Darts – the latter didn’t debut until the following year. Michael van Gerwen’s 2016 reign also missed out on World Cup success. Littler, therefore, has a unique opportunity to eclipse both legends by winning every major and major‑team event available in the current calendar. ### Strategic Choices and Qualification Concerns In recent weeks, Littler has been selective about his ProTour appearances, which has left his qualification for the Players Championship Finals uncertain.
However, his recent triumph and the prospect of completing a calendar‑year grand slam have prompted a reassessment of his schedule. "Coming into the tournament I had already won every major, so this was the next step," Littler 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 that I need to attend.
Whether I qualify or not, I’ll be under scrutiny either way, so who knows what will happen." ### A Young Legend in the Making In just over two and a half years as a professional, Littler has already cemented his place among the sport’s greats. His rapid ascent, combined with his willingness to speak openly about his ambitions, makes him a compelling figure for fans and commentators alike. The prospect of a player this young continuing to improve, break records, and possibly rewrite the history books is both exhilarating and a little intimidating for his rivals. Fans can follow Littler’s quest for further television silverware on Sky Sports, where his upcoming appearances at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship will be broadcast live.
With the ability to stream darts and other top‑level sports without a contract, viewers have more flexibility than ever to keep up with this rising star’s journey toward becoming the greatest darts player the world has ever seen.