Greatest Darts Players Of All-Time

Adored by fans around the world for its fast pace and banter in the crowd, darts has gone through a major transformation over the years – going from a pub game to one of the most exciting sports on the planet.

There is no ‘international break’ when it comes to darts, with major tournaments taking place on a weekly basis throughout the season and all roads lead to the Alexandra Palace and the PDC World Championship at the end of the calendar year.

Hundreds of tungsten geniuses have graced the oche over the years but a handful stand out above all others. Here, we look at five of the best darts players to ever play the game.

John Lowe

John Lowe was the first player to win a World Championship in three different decades – a fact that is testament to his longevity and ability to compete at the very top of the darting world.

While he didn’t have the most exciting playing style in terms of throw, he was incredibly consistent and his accuracy was bang on.

The dominant force for around 15 years, Lowe won three BDO world titles in 1979, 1987 and 1993 while adding a couple of World Masters trophies to his collection.

His most famous moment was undoubtedly when he became the first player to hit a nine-dart finish on television in 1984.

Eric Bristow

As brilliant as Lowe was, Eric Bristow was on a whole other level. Known affectionately by his fans as ‘The Crafty Cockney’, Bristow enjoyed unprecedented levels of success at the time, winning five World Masters titles and five World Championships in the 1970s and 1980s.

Tragically, he suffered from dartitis and that put an abrupt end to his time at the top of the darts world but he remains widely regarded as an all-time great.

Bristow sadly passed away in 2018 but his legacy as one of the best darts players of all-time lives on. His influence in promoting darts in his post-playing career has only served to enhance his status with the wider sporting community.

Raymond van Barneveld

An icon. Raymond van Barneveld has been one of the biggest names in darts for over 20 years and he has given fans some of the greatest moments in the history of the sport.

‘Barney’ made the decision to switch to the PDC despite winning four BDO world titles in the space of seven years but what a decision it was, with the Dutchman flourishing into one of the most adored faces in the tungsten world.

In 2007, Van Barneveld defeated Phil Taylor in what many believe was the greatest darts match of all-time and the image of the Dutchman celebrating on the Circus Tavern stage is iconic, not only in darts but in the wider sporting world.

Michael van Gerwen

Widely regarded as the best player on the planet since Phil Taylor’s retirement, Michael van Gerwen has destroyed some of the longest-standing darts records during his ascent to the top of the sport.

With 67 televised titles and nearly 50 major titles on his resumé, Van Gerwen could end his career with a more glittering trophy cabinet than Taylor. In addition, he won the World Masters at just 17 years old and has always looked destined for greatness.

Winning the Darts Champions League in 2019 meant that ‘Mighty Mike’ has won every competition in the sport and his legacy as a legend is secure. Will he ever surpass the great Phil Taylor though? Only time will tell.

Phil Taylor

In terms of longevity, accuracy and just outright darts ability, you’d be hard pressed to find a better darts player than Phil Taylor. To this day, he remains a long, long way clear of his peers – especially when it comes to the PDC World Championship.

With an incredible 16 titles on the biggest stage of all, Taylor’s spot as the best player to grace the oche is all but secure. He won his first major trophy in 1990 and his final title in 2017, enjoying success after success and winning title after title during that period.

He leads the way in major titles and it’s hard to envision any of the current tungsten stars emulating ‘The Power’ when it comes to success and status.