16 titles and 99 wins: Phil Taylor's unimaginable numbers at the World Matchplay

Next Saturday, July 19, the 2025 World Matchplay kicks off at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The world’s best players will battle it out for one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes: the Phil Taylor Trophy. But how did this trophy come to be named after one man? The answer lies in pure dominance.

There is simply no disputing that Phil Taylor is the undisputed king of the World Matchplay. Nicknamed "The Power," Taylor reached the final 17 times in his illustrious career—and won an astonishing 16 of them. The only blemish came in 2016, when he was beaten by Dutchman Michael van Gerwen. Given that incredible record, it was only fitting that, starting in 2018, the tournament's trophy was officially renamed in his honour.

Taylor’s World Matchplay résumé is unmatched. He made a record 24 appearances at the event—more than any other player. Only James Wade and Steve Beaton come close with 20 each. But it’s not just about appearances. The accompanying statistics are nothing short of legendary.

Across those 24 tournaments, Taylor played 107 matches, winning 99 and losing just eight. That equates to a staggering win percentage of 92.52%. And it wasn’t just about winning—Taylor did it in style. He averaged over 100 in 62 of those 107 matches, meaning he hit 100+ averages in 57.94% of all his Matchplay contests.

Among his 16 title wins, Taylor posted a 100+ average in 11 finals, including an astonishing 111.23 average in the 2013 final against Adrian Lewis. His highest ever recorded average at the Matchplay came in 2010, when he blew away Barrie Bates in the last 32 with a jaw-dropping 114.99.

These are numbers that may never be seen again. In today’s ultra-competitive era of darts, even prodigies like Luke Littler—as promising as he is—seem unlikely to replicate such sustained dominance.

Taylor's legacy at the World Matchplay goes far beyond the 16 titles. It’s embedded in the very fabric of the tournament. Every time a player lifts the Phil Taylor Trophy, they’re not just winning a major—they’re stepping into the shadow of a giant.