Luke Littler may have claimed the biggest single prize in darts history with his £1 million victory at the 2026 World Championship, but the teenager still has a long way to go before he can challenge the sport's all-time highest earners. The 18-year-old, who turns 19 later this month, thrashed Gian van Veen 7-1 at Alexandra Palace to secure the record sum, nearly half of which will be lost to tax. The win doubled the previous record prize money on offer in London and dispelled any doubts that his first world title was a fluke.
Littler's career earnings now stand at £3.3 million, boosted by 50 per cent thanks to his seven wins in the tournament. However, he remains outside the top 10 on the sport's all-time prize money list. Michael van Gerwen leads the way with an astonishing £11.5 million in prize money since turning professional almost 20 years ago. The Dutchman, who bowed out in the fourth round of this year's World Championship, dominated the sport between 2013 and 2022, winning three world titles, five World Masters, and numerous other majors.
Second on the list is Phil Taylor, who earned £8.5 million from his efforts at the oche. 'The Power' played in an era when prize rewards were significantly smaller, yet his utter domination saw him amass a mountain of gold, including a record 16 World Championship wins (14 in the PDC, two in the BDO) and 87 major titles. Littler looks like the only current talent with a realistic chance of challenging Taylor's records.
Scottish powerhouses Peter Wright and Gary Anderson sit third and fourth on the all-time earners list with £6.2 million and £5.5 million respectively. James Wade rounds out the top five with £5 million, despite never winning the Sid Waddell Trophy. A career spanning 20 years has seen 'The Machine' celebrate major paydays from wins at the World Masters, European Championship, and three UK Opens, but a maiden world title would fire him up the rankings.
