Luke Littler beats Phil Taylor in official first-ever ‘match-up’ – though not how you might think
Darts fans eager to see Luke Littler take on Phil Taylor finally got their wish—though not in the way they imagined.
In a surprising turn of events, the reigning PDC World Darts Champion faced off against the 16-time world champion in a battle of steady hands—not at the oche, but over a tense game of Jenga.
The Unexpected Showdown
Target Darts had teased this “first-ever” meeting for weeks, leading many to believe it would be a historic darts clash. Instead, fans were treated to a test of nerve and precision in a completely different arena.
The unexpected nature of the showdown set social media ablaze. Holly Dawes from Staffordshire posted on X:
“Two champions—this is the ultimate! So excited for this!”
Meanwhile, George Harvey from Aylesbury likened it to a “Mike Tyson vs Tank Davis” moment, while Wolverhampton’s Dan Fellows compared it to “Rocky Balboa vs Tommy Gunn.”
Darts Legends Weigh In
Even before the reveal, the potential Littler vs. Taylor matchup sparked debates among darts legends.
Bobby George told TalkSport:
“Taylor was a great player, but I don’t think he would have beaten Littler, even in his heyday.”
However, Chris Mason had a different perspective, arguing:
“The averages are comparable. Taylor still has records on inferior boards that stand up against the best of the past eight years.”
Ultimately, their analysis wasn’t needed—because the contest was all about Jenga!
A Game of Precision and Pressure
With commentary from Dan Dawson, Littler and Taylor took turns removing wooden blocks, testing their composure under pressure.
Target Darts billed it as a challenge to determine “who has the steadiest hand under pressure”—and it was Littler who came out on top.
Taylor’s tower came crashing down, giving Littler the victory in a game requiring patience, skill, and a cool head.
Reactions from the Players
Following his unexpected win, Littler said:
“I knew I had to be at my very best to block out the noise and take down such an incredible opponent. Phil is a towering figure in darts, and this was a great experience.”
Taylor, always gracious in defeat, quipped:
“I thought I had the edge with experience, but fair play to Luke—he held his nerve, and I crumbled! He really knows how to take his opponent down, piece by piece.”
It may not have been the darts battle fans expected, but Littler’s victory proves he’s got nerves of steel—even outside the oche.
