Phil Taylor, Paul Lim and more: The big names behind the SUPER DARTS spectacle

Anyone who regularly follows the major PDC tournaments on Sky Sports — or enjoys the weekly spectacle of Premier League Darts each spring — knows just how popular traditional steeltip darts has become. Yet alongside those familiar arenas, an innovative and increasingly international tournament has, for many years, carved out a reputation all its own: SUPER DARTS.

First staged in 2007, this soft-tip showcase has grown into one of the most prestigious events in the discipline. Known for its slick production, vibrant show elements and — crucially — a lineup featuring some of the world’s most recognizable players, SUPER DARTS has earned a loyal global following.

With the new edition getting underway in Tokyo on Nov. 29, we look back at some of the biggest stars who have stepped onto the SUPER DARTS stage and helped elevate the tournament’s profile.

No list of darts legends is complete without Phil “The Power” Taylor — the 16-time world champion and winner of more than 200 professional titles. After claiming his final major steeltip trophy at the 2017 World Matchplay, Taylor surprised many by turning his attention to the soft-tip scene.

His SUPER DARTS debut came in 2018, and as expected, he was installed as the overwhelming favourite. But soft-tip darts has a habit of producing drama — and it delivered again when Taylor was edged out by Japan’s Haruki Muramatsu in a thrilling final. The upset stunned fans around the world, but it also created one of the most memorable matches in SUPER DARTS history.

Welshman Mark “The Spider” Webster is part of a rare club: elite left-handed players to succeed at the highest level. His career-defining moment came in 2008 when he lifted the BDO World Championship trophy. He went on to prove his quality within the PDC as well, reaching back-to-back World Championship semifinals in 2010 and 2011 — the latter highlighted by a famous quarterfinal victory over Phil Taylor that fans still talk about today.

Webster competed at SUPER DARTS in 2013, reaching the quarterfinals. Despite his pedigree, the depth of the field ultimately caught up with him, but his participation brought valuable international attention to the event.

Few players have connected generations of darts fans quite like Paul “The Singapore Slinger” Lim. With a career spanning more than four decades, Lim has become a cult figure in the sport. His legendary perfect leg at the 1990 World Championship — the first ever on the world stage — remains one of darts’ most iconic moments.

Lim is one of the most loyal SUPER DARTS competitors, appearing five times. His crowning achievement came in 2015 when he captured the title, cementing his status as a soft-tip icon. Remarkably, Lim continues to compete at the highest level: at 71 years old, he has even qualified for the 2026 PDC World Championship.

Colin 'Jaws' Lloyd, former PDC number one, also made his appearance on the SUPER DARTS stage. Lloyd experienced his best years around 2005, when he won both the World Grand Prix and the World Matchplay. With those major titles under his belt, he entered the tournament in 2013 as one of the favorites.

Yet things turned out differently: Lloyd was eliminated surprisingly early by American Scott Kirchner, who would later even win the tournament. Although Lloyd has since retired from professional darts, he remains a regular and beloved analyst on British television.