Luke Littler was crowned the PDC world champion at Alexandra Palace at the turn of the year and the newly-turned 18-year-old became the 13th individual winner of the biggest prize in darts.
PDC World Champions: 13 World Darts Champions, Where are they now?
The Nuke has a long way to go if he’s to match or better the 14 world titles won by the great Phil Taylor and we take a look at where the 13 world champions are now.
PDC World Champions: Phil Taylor
The 14-time PDC world champion dominated the sport like no other arrowsmith and he was near untouchable when at the peak of his powers. Taylor retired from the sport following the 2018 World Championship and the 64-year-old then went on to compete in the first three World Seniors Darts Championships from 2022 to 2024. The Power is no longer playing competitive darts, but the Stoke arrowsmith has secured a new punditry role with the Modus Super Series.
PDC World Champions: Michael van Gerwen
The only arrowsmith to exert close to the same dominance on darts as Phil Taylor is Michael van Gerwen and the Dutchman is a three-time world champion. Of course, the longevity of MVG’s spell at the top doesn’t match the Power’s, but the Green Machine made the final of the 2025 Ally Pally showdown and remains a top-level performer.
PDC World Champions: Gary Anderson
Still competing at a high level, in fact no arrowsmith put up a better Pro Tour average than the Flying Scotsman last season and a third world title is not ruled out.
PDC World Champions: Adrian Lewis
Currently taking a break from competitive darts, but Adrian Lewis has been active on the exhibition circuit. Jackpot recently suggested he could return to try and regain his tour card at the 2026 Q School.
PDC World Champions: John Part
One of only six players to have won more than one PDC World Championship. John Part is now a regular on Sky Sport’s darts coverage.
PDC World Champions: Peter Wright
Another two-time world champion, Peter Wright remains a top-level performer and Snakebite beat Luke Humphires on his way to the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Championship.
PDC World Champions: Dennis Priestley
The first player to win both the PDC and BDO World Championships and a legend of darts. Dennis Priestley retired from the sport in 2015.
PDC World Champions: Michael Smith
Currently competing and contending for the PDC’s biggest trophies, Michael Smith remains one of darts’ top performers.
PDC World Champions: Raymond van Barneveld
Memorably beat Phil Taylor in the final of the 2007 PDC World Championship. Raymond van Barneveld retired from the sport in 2020, but the Dutchman has since returned to darts and competed at the most recent World Championship.
PDC World Champions: Rob Cross
Yet to repeat his 2018 World Championship success, Rob Cross continues to produce top-level performances.
PDC World Champions: Luke Humphries
Unable to repeat his World Championship victory of 2024 at last season’s Alexandra Palace extravaganza, Luke Humphries can still look forward to many more days in the sun.
PDC World Champions: Gerwyn Price
Still one of the most explosive forces in darts, Gerwyn Price will be looking to add to his single world title.
PDC World Champions: Luke Littler
The brightest star in darts, Luke Littler has transcended the sport and who knows where the limits of the Nuke lie. The brilliant teenager won his first PDC World Championship last season and Littler looks likely to dominate the sport for some time.
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