In the glittering, high-pressure universe of professional darts, where legends are forged in the flicker of fluorescent lights and the thud of tungsten on cork, few names echo louder than Phil Taylor. The 64-year-old Englishman, affectionately dubbed “The Power,” retired from the oche in 2018 after a staggering 16 world championships, 214 professional titles, and a dominance that spanned three decades. His era was one of unrelenting supremacy—averages that bordered on the superhuman, checkouts that silenced arenas, and a psychological edge that turned opponents into shadows of themselves. Yet, as darts evolves into a global spectacle, a new force has emerged: 17-year-old sensation Luke Littler, the boy from Warrington whose meteoric rise has shattered records and stolen headlines. With a world championship already in his trophy cabinet and a string of majors under his belt, Littler isn’t just playing the game—he’s redefining it. Now, in a candid moment that’s rippling through the darts community, Taylor has thrown down a gauntlet of sorts, backing himself in a hypothetical clash while rooting for the kid to eclipse his legacy. It’s a tale of generations colliding, wrapped in respect, rivalry, and a dash of cheeky bravado.
Taylor’s words landed like a perfectly aimed dart during a recent chat at a Target Darts event in Manchester, where the air buzzed with the scent of fresh cork boards and the hum of eager fans. Flanked by Littler himself—though the youngster was blissfully unaware of the impending verbal volley—Taylor couldn’t resist a grin as he pondered a prime-vs-prime matchup. “Don’t tell him… but I’d beat him,” he quipped, his eyes twinkling with the confidence of a man who’s stared down giants. It was a line delivered with the light touch of a mentor ribbing his protégé, but laced with the steel of someone who’s been there, done that, and won it all. Taylor elaborated, painting a vivid picture of what such a showdown might look like: a “cracking game” where his experience would clash head-on with Littler’s raw firepower. “I’ve had my day but I would have loved to play Luke at my best,” he added. “I think I’d have beaten him but I’m not sure!” The uncertainty? It’s Taylor’s nod to Littler’s extraordinary talent—a rare concession from a player who once averaged 110 in a world final and hit 11-dart legs like they were routine.
This isn’t mere banter; it’s the spark of a narrative that’s captivating the darts world. Littler, who burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old qualifier at the 2023-24 PDC World Championship, has since compiled a resume that would make veterans envious. In January 2025, he became the youngest world champion ever, dismantling Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in the final at Alexandra Palace with an average north of 106 and a checkout percentage that left commentators speechless. That victory capped a debut season of dizzying highs: a Premier League title, a Grand Slam of Darts crown, and a World Matchplay triumph in July where he hoisted the Phil Taylor Trophy—ironically named after his elder statesman—after edging James Wade 18-13 in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Littler’s stats are the stuff of legend: 17 maximums in that Matchplay final alone, breaking the tournament record, and a near-nine-darter that had the crowd on its feet. Off the board, he’s a social media whirlwind, amassing millions of followers with his laid-back vibe, cheeky celebrations, and unfiltered joy—traits that have ballooned darts’ audience, drawing in younger fans who stream matches on their phones rather than pack smoky pubs.
Taylor, ever the sage, watches this ascent with a mix of pride and pragmatic wisdom. He knows the throne Littler occupies comes with thorns. “You get what I used to call the Man Utd syndrome—and Liverpool have got it as well—where everybody raises their game against you,” Taylor warned, drawing a football analogy that’s as apt as it is vivid. In his heyday, rivals like John Part, Raymond van Barneveld, and Dennis Priestley would summon career-best form just to face him, turning every match into a potential upset. Littler, now the hunted, faces the same: underdogs like Gian van Veen or Josh Rock eyeing him as the ultimate scalp. To chase Taylor’s 16 world titles, Taylor predicts, Littler will need to navigate two decades of grueling tours, endless hotel nights, and the mental toll of constant scrutiny. “It’s going to be difficult, to win 16 titles you are going to have to be in a lot of finals. It’s a lot of darts, a lot of hotels, a lot of travelling,” he said. Yet, Taylor’s faith in the teenager is unwavering. “If he wants to beat my world record, then he can go ahead and do it,” he declared, a green light from the GOAT himself. “Everybody loves to see you up there, and then they love seeing you get knocked off as well. It’s how you take it, but I think he is mentally strong enough to deal with it.”
The beauty of this exchange lies in its duality: Taylor’s playful ego-check underscores the gap between eras, but his encouragement bridges it. Littler, for his part, idolizes “The Power,” often citing Taylor’s 16 Matchplay wins as inspiration during his own Blackpool conquest. “This means absolutely everything,” Littler said post-victory, hoisting the trophy named for his hero. “My idol, Phil [Taylor], has come here and won it 16 times.” Their real-life interactions add layers of warmth—a Jenga showdown earlier in 2025 saw Littler topple Taylor’s tower (literally), with the teen quipping, “I knew that I was going to have to be at my very best to block out the noise and knock over such an incredible opponent.” Taylor laughed it off: “Fair play to Luke, he held his nerve, and I crumbled!” Moments like these humanize the giants, reminding fans that darts isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about the stories, the rivalries, and the passing of the torch.
As the 2025-26 PDC season ramps up, with the World Grand Prix looming in October and another Ally Pally showdown on the horizon, the question lingers: could Taylor’s prime self truly edge Littler’s current blaze? Pundits are split—some, like Bobby George, insist “Taylor was a great player, but I don’t think he would have beaten Littler, even in his heyday.” Others see Taylor’s tactical mastery—his double-16 finishes, his unerring 180s under pressure—as the X-factor. What’s undeniable is the mutual respect fueling darts’ golden age. Taylor’s era built the foundations; Littler’s is expanding the empire, with sold-out arenas, TV deals, and a fanbase that spans generations. In a sport where longevity is the ultimate checkout, Littler’s journey to 16 titles will test his mettle, but with Taylor’s blessing—and that cheeky “don’t tell him”—the kid from Warrington has the ultimate endorsement. As Taylor might say, it’s not about the win; it’s about the cracking game that gets you there. And in darts, that’s poetry in flight.
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