Best Professional Darts Players: What You’ll Learn

• Player Profiles: Discover in-depth profiles of the top 10 professional darts players, exploring their journey in the world of darts, key achievements, playing style and overall contribution to the sport.

• Rankings and Records: Get a detailed overview of each player’s career stats, including significant wins, world rankings, and notable records held.

• Insights and Analysis: Dive into an analytical review of what makes these players stand out, their unique tactics, and techniques, as well as their significance in the evolution of professional darts.

Darts is a sport rooted in the British psyche that has been developing into a global phenomenon in recent years, captivating audiences across the world with its blend of precision, strategy, and drama.

The sport gained major attention in the 1970s with televised matches, beginning at the Leeds Irish Centre in 1972.

From there, a governing body, the British Darts Organisation (BDO), was formed in 1973 by Olly Croft and oversaw professional and amateur darts competitions in Britain. In 1978, the Professional Darts Championship was first held, moving to its long-associated home, the Lakeside Leisure Complex in Frimley Green, in 1985.

Viewers across the United Kingdom grew to love the annual tournament and players like Eric Bristow, Jockey Wilson, and emerging players like Phil Taylor and Mike Gregory.

In 1992, there was a split between senior players and Olly Croft about television rights and increasing the number of tournaments on television. Sixteen of the best professional darts players, including all living BDO World Champions, formed the World Darts Council.

Bringing Darts to the World

After a bitter dispute, the World Darts Council, which eventually would become the Professional Darts Corporation, with its broadcast partner, Sky Sports, eventually replaced the BDO as the premier governing body.

Plus, its PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace became the pinnacle of the sport. Alongside the competition at “Ally Pally” is a calendar of events like the World Grand Prix, World Matchplay, and Premier League Darts.

Ranking the greatest darts players is both challenging and exhilarating. To navigate this, criteria such as major titles won, longevity, influence on the sport, and record-breaking performances are essential.

Legends like Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen set unparalleled standards, while modern icons like Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price continue to push boundaries.

In this guide, we’ve celebrated the best professional darts players, exploring what makes them exceptional—whether it’s their trophy cabinets, iconic moments, or lasting impact on darts.

Top 10 Best Professional Darts Players

1. Luke Littler

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The current World Darts Champion, Luke “The Nuke” Littler, swatted three-time world champion Michael Van Gerwin in the 2025 title match at Ally Pally, sealing his burgeoning reputation as the best darts player in the world.

The 18-year-old from Warrington, England, burst onto the scene in 2024, winning 11 senior PDC titles in 12 months, including the Grand Slam of Darts, Premier League, and World Series Finals, before finishing his spectacular season by becoming the youngest-ever world champion in darts history, at 17 years and 347 days old. 

Born in 2007 in the Lancashire town of Warrington, Littler got his first dart board from a pound shop when he was just 18 months old, and his development accelerated from there. He hit his first maximum at the age of six, his first nine-dart finish at 13, and hit a broadcast nine-darter at 14.

Littler has become a fan favorite thanks to his high-scoring power, young age, and his ability to dominate opponents with the Double 10. His popularity with the British public has been dubbed Littlermania and was shown by his second-place finish in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2024.

2. Luke Humphries

Luke “Cool Hand” Humphries is a serial winner, having taken home 21 PDC titles, including the World Matchplay, PDC World Masters, Players Championship, and World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

His career-defining win against Luke Littler in the 2024 Worlds remains one of the sport’s most memorable moments in recent memory, and his ding-dong battle with “The Nuke” is perhaps the sport’s most enduring rivalry.

Humphries is known for his calm demeanor under pressure and remarkable consistency, earning him his moniker of “Cool Hand Luke.” Any player looking to go toe-to-toe with Humphries will face high averages, clutch performances, and an unflappable, unbreakable dominance.

The player from Crewe had an exceptional rise in the sport through the youth circuit, winning the 2019 World Youth Championship. In 2018, he played in his first game at the World Darts Championship, losing 2-0 to Jeff Smith in the Preliminary Round.

Humphries has also taken his skills to the team circuit, winning the 2024 World Cup of Darts from England alongside Michael Smith. A fan favorite, exceptional darts player, and formidable competitor, Luke Humphries will continue to shape the future of the game with outstanding talent and unwavering determination.

3. Michael Van Gerwen

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Michael Van Gerwen, known as MVG or Mighty Mike, is a three-time PDC World Champion, having won 45 PDC titles, including six World Grand Prix titles, four European Championships, three Grand Slam of Darts, seven Players Championships, and six Premier Leagues.

His breakthrough came in 2014 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the PDC World Darts Championship, beating Peter Wright in the final.

Also known as “The Green Machine,” van Gerwen is renowned for his aggressive and instinctive playing style. He leans over the oche, throws rapidly, and builds momentum by scoring heavily, unsettling his opponents. His ability to recover from setbacks and refocus is exceptional, meaning he is never down and out in any fixture, especially set play.

MVG is also known for his comeback victories, including the 2012 Grand Prix, 2013 Premier League, and 2013 Players Championship finals. He holds a televised average world record of 123.40 and came one dart away from back-to-back nine-dart finishes on two occasions.

His iconic green jersey and exuberant celebrations, which have riled opponents, have cemented his reputation as one of the best professional darts players and one of dart’s most polarizing figures.

4. Stephen Bunting

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Stephen “The Bullet” Bunting is one of the best professional darts players and most popular players on the PDC circuit, having signed with the Professional Darts Corporation from the BDO in 2014. Known for his iconic walkout music, Titanium by David Guetta and Sia, he is a fan favorite thanks to his social media presence.

Bunting became a household name for his 2024 season, in which he won his first major title, the Masters, defeating MvG 11-7, winning 37 of 55 legs in 15 darts or fewer.

Bunting’s style is characterized by his steady rhythm, clinical finishing, and ability to perform in high-pressure games like his 2024 World Darts Championship quarter-final win against Gerwyn Price. His mental toughness and memorable comebacks have delighted his hardcore fanbase, one of the biggest in darts.

Bunting is one of the few players to transition successfully from the BDO to the PDC, winning the 2012 BDO World Championship before signing with the professional circuit. A fan favorite, Bunting’s humility and determination have earned him respect, making him one of darts’ most admired players.

5. Chris Dobey

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Chris “Hollywood” Dobey is one of darts’ most exciting and promising players, thanks to his charismatic presence and consistently high performances. A participant in 2025 Premier League Darts, which visits Dublin every year, Dobey broke into the public’s imagination in 2023 when he won his first major title at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes in the 2023 World Darts Masters.

Dobey’s style is defined by his smooth throwing action, high scoring, and clutch finishing. Known for his calm demeanor and ability to hit big checkouts, he is the man when it comes to high-stakes games.

His quarter-final win in the 2025 PDC World Championship earned him a Premier League berth thanks to his exquisite performance. Dobey also made history by becoming the first player to whitewash Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League.

Dobey’s legacy lies in his ability to compete with the sport’s elite. With his combination of skill, charisma, and consistency, Dobey continues to shine as one of darts’ brightest stars and will continue to improve in the future.

6. Gerwyn Price

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Gerwyn Price, “The Iceman,” had a unique path to becoming one of the sport’s most beloved players, having played as a hooker in both codes of Rugby, with a spell with Glasgow Warriors in the Pro12, and South Wales Scorpions in RFL League 1.

After finishing his rugby career, he took up darts in January 2014, earning an invitation to the renowned Q School for the Professional Darts Corporation. He qualified for the 2014 UK Open, losing in the Second Round but cementing himself as an up-and-comer in the sport.

Pryce earned his first major title in 2018, winning the Grand Slam of Darts at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, beating Peter Wright to win the Eric Bristow Trophy.

He had back-to-back Grand Slam titles in 2019, won the World Grand Prix and World Series Final in 2020, and a third Grand Slam of Darts title in 2021 before winning his biggest trophy to date, a World Darts Championship. He backed it up with his last major title, a World Series Final in 2022.

7. Nathan Aspinall

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“The Asp”, Nathan Aspinall is one of darts most tenacious and dynamic players, thanks to his fighting spirit and clutch performances. He rose to prominence in recent years and achieved a career-high world ranking of number four in 2024.

Aspinall won his first major in 2019, winning the UK Open and US Darts Masters. Since then, he has been a fierce competitor and finished runner-up in the 2020 Premier League, 2022 World Grand Prix, and the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts.

Aspinall approaches the game with resilience, high averages, and clutch performances. He often produces dramatic comebacks and thrilling finishes, including his 2019 UK Open victory against Rob Cross, where he clinched the title with a 170 checkout.

The Asp was a former semi-professional footballer and has secured a rapid rise since his 2019 major debut. With an infectious energy and a never-say-die attitude, Aspinall is one of the best up-and-comers in the game and is sure to have a big bearing on the game in the next few years.

8. Rob Cross

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Rob “Voltage” Cross is one of darts’ most remarkable players, rapidly rising through the ranks on his rise through the upper echelons of the game.

Turning professional in 2017, he made history by beating the legendary Phil “The Power” Taylor to win the 2018 PDC World Championship in his debut year at Ally Pally.

Since then, he has won 20 senior PDC titles, including the 2019 World Matchplay, two European Championships, and five World Series of Darts titles.

Cross is known for his clinical finishing and his ability to survive under pressure. He survived multiple match darts en route to his maiden PDC World Championship victory against Taylor. Known for his high averages and clutch checkouts, Cross has consistently posted high averages, including career-best wins over Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price.

His meteoric rise and sustained excellence proved that newcomers could influence the game, paving the way for players like Luke Littler, who broke through early and competed at the top.

Players and fans alike often compliment his humble attitude and electrifying performances, meaning Cross remains one of the most well-respected players in the game.

9. Mike De Decker

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Belgian darts player Mike De Decker, nicknamed “The Real Deal,” is a rising star in professional darts who has been making a name for himself in the sport. He had a breakthrough year in 2024 when he won his first major title at the World Grand Prix, defeating Luke Humphries 6–4 in the final.

This victory marked him as only the second Belgian to win a PDC major, following Dimitri Van den Bergh. Earlier in 2024, De Decker claimed his first senior PDC title at Players Championship 16.

De Decker’s legacy is still growing, but his impact on Belgian darts is undeniable. As a five-time PDC Development Tour winner, he has shown promise from his youth career, and his 2024 breakthrough has cemented his place among the sport’s elite.

With his first major title secured, De Decker is poised to become a regular contender in televised tournaments, inspiring a new generation of Belgian players. His journey from youth success to major champion highlights his resilience and talent, making him one of darts’ most exciting prospects.

10. Peter Wright

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Peter “Snakebite” Wright is, simply put, one of darts’ most iconic and flamboyant players. His vibrant Mohican hairstyles, colorful attire, and electrifying stage presence add up to one of the most recognizable talents.

A two-time PDC World Champion (2020, 2022), Wright has cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greats. His career-defining moment came in 2020 when he defeated Michael van Gerwen 7–3 to claim his first World Championship, becoming the oldest first-time world number one at 51 in 2022.

Wright has also won the World Matchplay in 2021, the Masters in 2020, and two European Championships in 2020 and 2023.

Wright’s playing style is characterized by his versatility, precision, and ability to perform under pressure. Known for frequently changing darts, he adapts his equipment to suit his game.

His strengths include high averages, clinical finishing, and a knack for comebacks, as seen in his dramatic 2022 World Championship victory over Michael Smith.

Beyond his achievements on the oche, Wright’s legacy lies in his unique persona and the entertainment value of it. His elaborate hairstyles, snake-themed designs, and pre-match dance routines have made him a fan favorite and one of the most famous players in the sport.

Legends at The Oche

The best professional darts players featured on this page are true legends of the game. From dominant players like Michael van Gerwen to new up-and-coming players like Luke Littler, these darts players are part of one of the fastest-growing spectator and televised sports across the world.

Their ability to perform under pressure, achieve high checkouts, and play with high tempo and expert accuracy set them apart from the rest.

Darts has grown significantly since its humble beginnings as a spectator sport in the 1970s, through the split between the BDO and PDC in the 1990s and 2000s, ending in the global phenomenon we know today.

This can be seen with the increased skill level, high-stakes tournaments with thousands of spectators, and events across the UK, Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world that form the core of the PDC calendar.

The best professional darts players on this page not only showcase exceptional skill but also embody the drama, entertainment, and competitive spirit that make darts so compelling.

Whatever the future holds for this exceptional spectator sport, these players will form part of the future narratives and keep winning titles alongside players emerging from the youth circuits and tournaments around the world.

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