Phil Taylor announces competitive comeback alongside Adrian Lewis in MODUS Super Series International Pairs

Sixteen-time World Champion Phil Taylor is set to make a shock U-turn out of retirement to team up with Adrian Lewis at the MODUS Super Series International Pairs.

The sport’s all-time most successful player will link up with his former protégé and PDC World Cup winning team-mate to compete in the International Pairs event in Portsmouth from November 23-28.

Taylor initially retired from professional competition following the 2018 World Championship final before competing in various World Seniors events between 2022 and 2024.

He then confirmed he had officially called time on his playing career in May 2025 after undergoing laser eye surgery and a hip operation.

However, the 66-year-old has ended that two-year exile from the sport by accepting the invitation to compete alongside two-time World Champion Lewis at the MODUS Live Lounge.

“I’ve been asked plenty of times about coming back, but it would have to be for the right reason,” said Taylor.

“Adrian is one of the very few people I’d come out of retirement to play alongside, and the Modus Super Series is the place I wanted to do it.

“We’ve got a lot of history together, we know each other’s games inside out and I’m looking forward to getting back up there with him.

“It’s just the offer and something to do, plus playing with Aidy as well. Anyone else, I probably wouldn’t have bothered.

“I didn’t even have a set of darts before I’d done this, but I’m enjoying it. I’ve been practicing a little bit. Normally I’ll be practicing every day.”

Taylor racked up more than 200 professional titles, including 87 majors across both the BDO and PDC in a glittering career spanning four decades.

Alongside fellow Stoke star Lewis, the duo claimed four World Cup of Darts titles between 2012 and 2016, more than any other pairing in the tournament’s history.

Lewis, who dropped off the PDC circuit in 2023, has remained active on the exhibition circuit but has not attempted to regain his Tour Card via Qualifying School.

The 41-year-old featured at Modus’ International Pairs Tournament for England last year alongside former Lakeside Champion Steve Beaton.

“Phil and I have shared some brilliant moments playing together over the years, so to get the chance to do it again is really special,” said Lewis.

“We know what it takes to win as a pair and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together.

“I wasn’t really interested in playing if it wasn’t for Phil. So here we are. We’re going to have a good time, aren’t we?”

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