By Morgan Barrett
In the world of darts there are few debates more contested than who is the greatest of all time? Most fans of the sport would break it down into a handful of legendary names, that make up a definitive shortlist of the best to step upon the oche.
Phil “The Power” Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Eric Bristow all immediatly spring to mind, whilst more recently Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have an opportunity to dominate this era of darts and enter their name into the debate. But the three aformentioned legends each brought something unique to the sport and most darts fans would pick one of iconic trio as their GOAT.
Phil Taylor
No GOAT debate should dart without Phil Taylor. The 16-time World champion, 85 major titles and dominating the world of darts for over two decades, Taylor will often be the default answer in the GOAT debate. His ability to win at the highest level under the most pressure and often making the sport look easy to play will always make him a key player in any darts debate.
For many, Taylor’s volume of silverware and dominance at a time where darts was evolving into a professional sport put Darts on the map and etched his name into the history books as one if not the greatest of all time.
Michael Van Gerwen
If Phil Taylor defined one era, Michael Van Gerwen (MVG) dominated the next, His three World Championships, over 40 major titles, and multiple years at World No. 1 highlighted how talented the Dutchmen is
Although MVG couldn’t match the “The Power” on silverware many darts fans would say the three-time world champion was the most talented player of all time and the greatest peak in the sport, between 2016 and 2019 MVG produced some of the highest averages of all time including the highest of all time 114.05 in a World Championship classic against “Barney”.
Although many critics will highlight his three World Championships there is no doubt that MVG played in a more competitive era against stiffer competition and will always be the answer for some in a GOAT debate.
Eric Bristow
Before both Taylor and MVG there was the “Crafty Cockney” Eric Bristow. A five-time World Champion in the 1980s, Bristow was darts’ first superstar. His charisma brought viewers to darts and helped move darts into the mainstream.
Although Bristow’s stats may not compare to Taylor or MVG he was a catalyst for the sport mentoring young players including a young Phil Taylor and helping grow the sport from pubs to the mainstream.
His impact on darts culture cannot be overlooked he was the original and for that reason he will always be considered in a GOAT debate in darts because the sport would not be where it is today if not for the “Crafty Cockney”.
My Verdict
So, who is my GOAT? Although it is an exceedingly difficult question to ask with players like MVG still active, and new stars rising, the debate is constantly evolving.
At the end of the day, greatness is not just about what you win—it is about how long you stay on top, how you shape the game, and how you raise the bar for everyone else. Phil Taylor did all of that and more. For over 20 years, he was not just better than everyone—he was the standard. He turned darts from a pub game into a professional sport. Until someone matches that combination of dominance, longevity, and impact, so for me The Power stays the undisputed GOAT for now.