While darts have been around for over 100 years, the game we know today was created in 1896. It’s still a popular sport, particularly in the UK, where darts are a hugely popular game.
It is difficult to keep up with the top darts players around the world. There are hundreds of tournaments every year in dozens of countries, and only a few darts players are consistently good on the international stage.
This guide will help you identify the 10 best English darts players worldwide right now so that you can be on the lookout for the next time there is a live match.
Keep an eye out for the next televised match!
1. GERWYN PRICE
| Full name | Gerwyn Stephen Price |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 March 1985 |
| Birth’s Place | Markham, Wales |
| Current age | 37 years |
| Occupation | Welsh professional darts player |
| Residence | Markham, Wales |
| Net worth | £750,000 to £1.5 million |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Weight | 97 kg |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Black |
| Gender | Male |
GERWYN PRICE, a Welsh thrower, has seen a meteoric rise in popularity since joining the PDC circuit back in 2014. He won seven titles televised to make him one of the sport’s most recognizable names.
He rose to the ranks of rugby professionals before winning his maiden televised title at the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts. This was his first of three victories in Wolverhampton.
Price won three more titles in 2020, including the World Cup of Darts. He was then crowned World Champion in January 2021.
In the Alexandra Palace final, he defeated Gary Anderson 7-3. He became the 10th player to reach world number one in PDC history.
Former Rugby player, he passed through PDC Qualifying school at the first attempt and won some impressive scalps during his debut season.
Gerwyn is now world number 1 and the first-ever champion of the PDC in Welch, United Kingdom. He has been recognized as the best English darts player for his unquestionable natural talent and explosive stage demeanor in the Premier League and World Series events in 2018, 2020, and 2021.
2. James Wade
| Full name | James Martin Wade |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 6 April 1983 |
| Birth’s Place | Aldershot, Hampshire, England |
| Current age | 39 years |
| Occupation | Darts Player |
| Residence | Hampshire, England |
| Net worth | £2.5 million |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Weight | 95 kg |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Gender | male |
James Martin Wade, an English professional darts player, became the youngest dart player ever to win a major PDC title in 2007, at just 24 years old. This was at the World Matchplay 2007. Later, Michael van Gerwen broke the record at the 2012 World Grand Prix.
James began his career with the British Darts Organization before moving to the Professional Dart Corporation (PDC) in 2004. James holds the record for the first player to achieve three tournament nine-dart finishes within a single calendar. This feat was achieved in 2006.
In 2007, he won the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix, and in 2010, he was awarded the Grand Prix title. With his eight wins in major tournaments, he is now PDC’s second-most successful player.
James Wade plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He is also one of the best English dart players on the list of the top 10 greatest darts players.
3. Luke Humphries
| Full name | Luke Humphries |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 11 February 1995 |
| Birth’s Place | Newbury, Berkshire, England |
| Current age | 27 |
| Occupation | English professional darts player |
| Residence | Crewe, England |
| Net worth | £483,500 |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch |
| Weight | 22 gram |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Black |
| Gender | Male |
Luke Humphries, a professional PDC player, has established himself as a respected player and met high expectations by qualifying for the UK Open Final in 2018. Humphries was also the first player to win the Development Tour Order of Merit every year, finishing first in 2018.
Humphries’ effortless style and vitality have made him one of the best English dart players and most prominent stars.
Humphries, who had a dominating spell on the Development Tour in 2018, made an immediate impression at his Alexandra Palace. He’s now reached the quarter-finals in all four of his visits to the capital.
Humphries won his first senior ranking title at the Players Championship event in 2023. He has grown stronger over time since that time. He’s won four European Tour events in three months to make it into the top 16.
Humphries’ selection as one of nine contenders in 2019’s Unibet Premier League of Darts showed the world that he was a rising star in darting. Humphries qualified for the World Championship again for the second year in a row and reached his quarter-final against Rob Cross.
Humphries’ year was shining when he won the 2019 PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship, showing his talent against Adam Gawlas. He took the title in a 6-0 whitewash. He reached the PDC 2020 World Championship Quarterfinal for the second year to confirm his status in the professional game.
He became the first challenger ever to win a Unibet Premier League Match. In a thrilling 7-5 victory, he defeated Gary Anderson twice as World Champion.
4. Peter Wright
| Full name | Thomas Peter Wright |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 10 March 1970 |
| Birth’s Place | Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland |
| Current age | 52 |
| Occupation | Darts Player |
| Residence | England |
| Net worth | £1.5 million – £4 million |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches |
| Weight | 99 kg |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Blue eyes |
| Gender | Male |
Peter Wright is a well-known performer and one of the best English darts players in the sport. He won his maiden World Championship title in 2020 with a 7-3 win over Michael van Gerwen.
Wright was a Lakeside qualifier back in 1995. His run to the 2014 World Championship marked Wright’s breakthrough in PDC. Wright’s 2017 UK Open victory ended a 20-year wait for glory.
The Scot has enjoyed a remarkable five-year run, with a total of 12 televised titles, including two World Championships and two World Cups.
Wright defeated Michael Smith in the 2023 World Championships to win his second title. This victory parachuted Wright to world number one, a position he still holds.
After his dramatic second win at Monday’s Ally Pally, the Livingston-born ace joined an elite group of greats who have won multiple World Championships.
Wright, a superstitious believer in superstition, said he had left his Space Jam pants at home, which he believes helped him beat Michael van Gerwen two years ago.
5. Nathan Aspinall
| Full name | Nathan Paul Aspinall |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | July 15, 1991 |
| Birth’s Place | Stockport, England |
| Current age | 31 |
| Occupation | professional darts player |
| Residence | Stockport, England |
| Net worth | £444,000 |
| Height | 1.75m |
| Weight | 26g |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Black |
| Gender | Male |
Nathan Aspinall, a two-time World Championship semifinalist, began his fairytale journey toward the top in 2012 by participating in PDC Development events and Challenge Tour events.
The stockport man was awarded a PDC Tour Card for two years in 2015 by the Q School Order of Merit. However, he found himself back at Qualifying School in January 2018, where he had won his Tour Card back.
Aspinall’s life-changing six-month journey began in September 2018, when he won his first ranking Players Championship. He reached the semi-finals at the 2018/2019 World Championship as an outsider of 500/1.
Aspinall won his first televised title at March’s 2019 UK Open and then doubled his total at the US Darts Masters in Las Vegas four months later.
6. Michael Smith
| Full name | Michael Colin Smith |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | October 7, 1957 |
| Birth’s Place | Kenova, West Virginia, United States |
| Current age | 65 |
| Occupation | professional darts player |
| Residence | United States |
| Net worth | £1.3million |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 71 kg |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Light Brown |
| Gender | Male |
Michael Smith is an English professional dart player playing in PDC events. He was crowned World Youth champion in 2013. He joined the PDC when he was a teenager and has since grown into one of the top players in world darts.
Smith is the winner of 16 PDC ranking events and also holds two World Series titles, including the 2023 US Darts Masters from New York.
Smith still wants to win a first televised ranking title despite having appeared in eight finals on TV, including two World Championship finals in 2023 and 2019.
St Helens star, Daryl Gurney, won his maiden TV nine-darter in the 2020 Premier League in Dublin. He was then defeated by Mensur Suljovic to reach the final of the UK Open in March 2023.
7. Rob Cross
| Full name | Rob Cross |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 September 1990 |
| Birth’s Place | Pembury, United Kingdom |
| Current age | 32 |
| Occupation | Darts Player |
| Residence | England |
| Net worth | £249,279.00 |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 23g |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Gender | Male |
Rob Cross’ remarkable impact on the PDC circuit led to Rob’s first year as a professional, culminating in a triumph at the William Hill World Darts Championship.
The original amateur qualifier for the 2016 UK Open, the electrician from Sussex made an immediate impression on the PDC Challenge Tour. This helped him to secure a two-year Tour Card for 2017/2018.
Cross seamlessly transitioned to the professional circuit and won four Players Championships won in 2017. He then defeated Phil Taylor 7-2 in sets in his debut season to win darts’ largest prize at Alexandra Palace.
After a challenging 2018 campaign, Cross was back in the winners’ circle. He won World Matchplay and European Championships in 2019 and took home a second European Championship crown in October 2021 with an 11-8 win over Michael van Gerwen.
8. Danny Noppert
| Full name | Danny Noppert |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 31 December 1990 |
| Birth’s Place | Joure, Netherlands |
| Current age | 31 |
| Occupation | Darts Player |
| Residence | Netherlands |
| Net worth | £1.44 million |
| Height | 6′ 2″ |
| Weight | 25g |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Black |
| Gender | Male |
Danny Noppert, a Lakeside Finalist in the past, won his two-year Tour Card after finishing first in the European Order of Merit in January 2018. He has made tremendous strides and become one of the best English dart players.
Noppert won his maiden PDC title in October 2018 at a Players Championship event before he reached the semi-finals for the Players Championship Finals one month later.
The Dutchman finished second to Michael van Gerwen at the 2019 World Series Finals. He was also paired with his compatriot at this year’s World Cup of Darts.
Noppert defeated Michael Smith 11-10 in March 2023 to win his first televised ranking of the UK Open. This landed him at a career-high of 11th on The Order of Merit.
9. Glen Durrant
| Full name | Glen Durrant |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 November 1970 |
| Birth’s Place | Middlesbrough, United Kingdom |
| Current age | 52 |
| Occupation | English professional darts player |
| Residence | England |
| Net worth | £30,658.00 |
| Height | 6′ 1″ |
| Weight | 23g |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Black |
| Gender | Male |
Glen Durrant, an English professional darts player, currently plays for Professional Darts Corporation. Durrant was also a player with the British Darts Organization.
He held the titles of World and Finder Master Champion three times in B.D.O. He is one of six darts players who have won the World Championship at least three times.
Glen Durrant also won the World Masters twice and the World Darts Trophy once. He holds nine major titles in B.D.O.
He won the Premier League after he moved to PDC in 2019. He did not win any other titles, but he is certain to win them all if he continues his winning streak.
Glen Durrant also has 29 victories in tournaments other than PDC and B.D.O. He is currently ranked 31st on the world rankings. However, the ranking will see an increase over the next year.
10. Jonny Clayton
| Full name | Jonny Clayton |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | October 4, 1974 |
| Birth’s Place | Llanelli, United Kingdom |
| Current age | 48 |
| Occupation | Darts Player |
| Residence | Llanelli, Wales |
| Net worth | £73,978.00 |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch |
| Weight | 76 kg |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Gender | Male |
Jonny Clayton’s World Cup victory in 2020 alongside Gerwyn Price sparked a remarkable rise to stardom for this friendly Welshman.
Clayton, who had partnered with Price to glory in November 2020, lifted four televised titles during a trophy-laden 2021 campaign that included debut glory in Premier League.
Clayton joined the PDC circuit as a dart player in 2015. He won his first ranking title in October 2017 at a Players Championship event. He reached the Players Championship Finals a month later and climbed into the top 32.
His World Cup win was the catalyst for his breakthrough. He won the Masters, World Grand Prix, and World Series Finals in 2021, along with his Premier League victory.
JONNY CLAYTON won the ProTour title and was a major finalist in less than three years as a PDC professional.
The Welsh ace completed the 2015 Qualifying School. He received his tour card and performed promising performances, quickly climbing up the world rankings.
Clayton won the Players Championship final in 2017. This was after a strong first few years that included appearances at both the UK Open and the World Championship.
Conclusion
Darts is a popular competitive sport that is growing in popularity. It is possible that many more darts players will be involved, adding more talent to the sport and creating memorable moments.
Did you find helpful the guide to the best English Darts players?
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