Phil Taylor: Darts Legend Officially Retires After Four Decades of Dominance

The End of an Era for Darts’ Greatest Champion

Phil Taylor, the 16-time world champion widely regarded as the greatest player in darts history, recently confirmed he won’t be returning to the oche for exhibition or senior events. After a long and fantastic career over the last 40 years, Taylor announced his retirement from playing darts, marking the definitive end of an extraordinary journey that transformed the sport.

Phil Taylor is widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time, with a career that spanned over three decades, during which he rewrote every record in the sport and set a new gold standard for excellence. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Taylor rose from humble beginnings as a factory worker to become a global icon, dominating professional darts from the 1990s through to his initial retirement in 2018.

Unparalleled Success and Records

The Power won a staggering 16 World Championships, including eight consecutively between 1995 and 2002, and also claimed 16 World Matchplay titles, 11 World Grand Prix crowns, six Premier League wins, and over 80 televised PDC titles in total. With a career that includes 214 professional tournament wins and 85 major titles, Phil Taylor’s legacy in the world of darts is unmatched.

He held the world number one ranking for thirteen years in total, including eight in a row from 2006 to 2013. Taylor hit a record 11 televised nine-dart finishes and 22 overall, becoming the first person to hit two nine-dart finishes in the same match.

Life After Competition and New Ventures

Following his retirement from competitive play, Taylor initially returned for exhibitions and competed on the World Seniors Tour. He officially stepped away from all competition in 2025 due to ongoing hip issues. In January 2025, the 16-time world champion announced his full retirement from the sport and will be joining the Modus Super Series tournament as a pundit.

Despite Sky Sports’ interest in securing Taylor as a pundit, the darts icon declined their offer due to the demanding schedule, stating he couldn’t work on all the tournaments. His decision reflects a desire for a more balanced lifestyle, allowing him to enjoy time at home whilst still remaining connected to the sport he revolutionised.

A Lasting Legacy

Phil Taylor’s influence on darts extends far beyond his record-breaking achievements. For many, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is the undisputed greatest darts player of all time, with 16 world titles, 87 major PDC trophies, and an era of dominance that shaped the modern game, his legacy etched into the very fabric of the sport. His retirement closes a chapter that defined professional darts, but his impact will continue to inspire future generations of players. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, Taylor’s standards of excellence and professionalism remain the benchmark against which all others are measured.