The 20 Greatest Darts Players in History — A Definitive Ranked Celebration
Darts has grown massively from its humble pub beginnings into a sport watched by millions across the world. Yet, as the sport has evolved, certain names have stood out — legends whose skill, personalities and achievements have shaped how we think about the game today. Ranking the greatest players in darts history isn’t simple — different eras, formats and competition make direct comparisons tricky — but when you look at influence, records and legacy, a clear list emerges.
Below is a comprehensive tribute to the 20 greatest darts players ever, celebrating their contributions and defining moments on the oche.
🏆 Top 20 Greatest Darts Players of All Time
20–11: The Pillars of the Sport
20. Richie Burnett – A charismatic world champion whose flair and powerful scoring gave darts a fresh edge in the 1990s.
19. Glen Durrant – Dominated the BDO before making waves in the PDC with consistent performances and major wins.
18. Jocky Wilson – A fan favourite with unorthodox style and two world titles to his name.
17. Bob Anderson – Known for his accuracy and calm under pressure, an early star of televised darts.
16. Rob Cross – Burst onto the scene to win the PDC World Championship and continued to challenge the best.
15. Martin Adams – A BDO legend with multiple majors and incredible consistency across decades.
14. James Wade – One of the most consistent performers in modern darts, notable for longevity and multiple major trophies.
13. Gerwyn Price – The Welsh powerhouse brought intensity and mental toughness that reshaped competition.
12. Adrian Lewis – “Jackpot” lit up arenas with big finishes and back-to-back world titles early in his career.
11. Peter Wright – Known as much for his vivid Mohican hairstyles as his darting excellence, a multiple major champion.
10–4: The Icons Who Defined Eras
10. Dennis Priestley – A fierce competitor with world titles in both the BDO and PDC.
9. Luke Humphries – The modern era’s torchbearer with world titles and a commanding presence in big events.
8. Gary Anderson – “The Flying Scotsman” blended grace and power, winning multiple world championships.
7. John Part – One of the few to win world titles on both sides of the Atlantic, combining precision with big-stage nerve.
6. John Lowe – A true pioneer who was the first to hit a televised nine-dart finish, he reigned in three different decades.
5. Raymond van Barneveld – “Barney” helped globalize darts, dominating in the Netherlands and winning five world championships.
4. Eric Bristow – “The Crafty Cockney” was not just a multiple world champion but also a mentor to future stars and a major reason darts grew in popularity.
3–1: The Greatest of All Time
3. Michael van Gerwen – A relentless competitor with explosive scoring ability, MVG rewrote records in the 21st century and consistently challenged the very best.
2. Luke Littler – A prodigy whose meteoric rise has already put him among the sport’s elite. By his late teens, he had claimed world titles and multiple televised majors, a feat almost unheard of at such a young age.
1. Phil Taylor – The undisputed king. With more major titles and world championships than any other player in history, “The Power” dominated darts for decades. His legacy isn’t just in numbers — it’s in how he reshaped the sport’s professional landscape and brought darts into the global spotlight.
🎯 What Makes These Players Great?
Greatness in darts comes from a mix of tournament success, consistency, adaptability and influence. Some, like Taylor and van Gerwen, dominated statistically. Others — Bristow, Lowe, Price and Wright — changed how the game was played, how crowds engaged, and how players approached the board.
Many of these champions have inspired the next generation. Luke Littler’s rapid ascent — becoming one of the youngest world champions and major winners in history — reflects how the modern game bridges past icons with future stars.
🎉 Legends Who Shaped Darts
From pub players to stadium heroes, these 20 names represent the pinnacle of darts. Each brought something unique: crowd-pleasing personalities, iconic rivalries, unbelievable checkouts and historic moments that fans will talk about for generations.
This list is more than statistics — it captures the history, passion and evolution of a truly global sport.
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