Rob Cross’ net worth is estimated at approximately £2 million as of 2026, built through one of the most remarkable debut seasons in professional darts history. Cross — who was working as an electrician in East Sussex when he turned professional less than a year before winning the 2018 PDC World Championship — had accumulated £3.3 million in documented career prize money by 2025. His story, from tradesman to world champion in under 12 months, remains one of the sport’s most extraordinary narratives.
| Full Name | Robert Cross |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 21 September 1990 |
| Age | 35 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Nickname | Voltage |
| Profession | Professional Darts Player (PDC); former electrician |
| Net Worth | ~£2 Million (2026) |
| Spouse | Kelly Cross |
| Known For | 2018 PDC World Champion (beat Phil Taylor 7–2 in his debut final); 22 PDC titles; from electrician to world number one |
Net Worth Breakdown
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDC Career Prize Money | £3.3M+ (2018–2025) | Cumulative | Per PDPA records; includes £400K for 2018 World Championship win |
| Sponsorship & Endorsements | £100,000–£200,000/year | Annual (personal) | Darts equipment brands, betting sponsors; elevated after World Championship win |
| Exhibition Appearances | £80,000–£150,000/year | Annual (personal) | World champion status makes Cross a premium exhibition booking |
| Media & Streaming | £20,000–£40,000/year | Annual (personal) | Sky Sports, PDC TV appearances and features |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~£2 Million (2026) | ||
Early Life: The Electrician from East Sussex
Robert Cross was born on 21 September 1990 in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. Before becoming a professional darts player, he worked as an electrician — a trade he had been practicing for years while playing darts semi-professionally in his spare time. His transition to the professional PDC circuit came relatively late, when he was in his mid-20s, after years of honing his game in the pub and amateur circuit.
Cross earned his PDC Tour Card at Q School in early 2017, giving him access to the main PDC circuit for the first time. What followed was one of the most extraordinary debut seasons in the history of professional darts.
2018 World Championship: Defeating Phil Taylor on Debut
At the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, Rob Cross achieved something no player had managed before — winning the World Championship in their debut appearance, and doing so against the greatest darts player who ever lived. Cross defeated Phil Taylor 7–2 in the final, the match that Taylor announced would be his last professional darts event before retirement.
The win was stunning on multiple levels: Cross had only been professional for less than a year, was ranked outside the world’s top 50 at the start of the tournament, and defeated the most decorated player in the sport’s history in his final ever competitive match. The £400,000 prize cheque was the largest single payday of Cross’s career. He was ranked world number one following the tournament — an extraordinary achievement for someone who had been an electrician just over 12 months before.
Career After the World Title
Cross added significantly to his title collection in the years following his World Championship win. He won the 2019 World Matchplay in Blackpool, defeating Michael Smith in the final — one of the sport’s most prestigious non-World Championship titles. He also won the European Championship in 2019 and 2021, demonstrating his ability to perform consistently in the biggest events.
By the end of 2025 he had accumulated 22 PDC titles and career prize money of £3.3 million from ranking events alone. At the 2026 PDC World Championship, Cross reached the fourth round before losing 4–2 to defending champion Luke Littler. In his mid-30s, he remains a formidable opponent for any player on the PDC tour.
Personal Life
Rob Cross is married to Kelly Cross and they have children together. He is based in East Sussex, not far from where he grew up. Despite his success at the highest level of professional sport, Cross has maintained a grounded, unpretentious public persona — consistent with his background as a tradesman who came to professional darts later than most elite players.
He has spoken in interviews about the surreal nature of his rise from electrician to world champion, and the challenge of maintaining elite performance standards when life changes so dramatically in a short period. His story resonates as one of darts’ most relatable journeys — a working-class trade professional who discovered his talent relatively late and made the most of his opportunity.
Little-Known Facts
- Cross turned professional in early 2017 after working as an electrician — and won the PDC World Championship less than 12 months later. It remains one of the fastest rises from amateur to world champion in any professional sport.
- His 7–2 defeat of Phil Taylor in the 2018 World Championship final was Taylor’s last ever competitive match. Cross won the title in Taylor’s retirement farewell — one of sport’s most poignant championship moments.
- Cross won four PDC ranking titles in his very first year on the professional tour (2017–18), a record debut season by any new PDC player in modern history.
- His career prize money from PDC ranking events alone exceeded £3.3 million by 2025 — not counting exhibition income or endorsement deals.
- He reached world number one after the 2018 World Championship win — just over a year after earning his PDC Tour Card for the first time.
What is Rob Cross’ net worth in 2026?
Rob Cross’ net worth is estimated at approximately £2 million as of 2026. His wealth comes primarily from £3.3 million in documented PDC career prize money (including £400,000 for the 2018 World Championship win), sponsorship deals, and exhibition appearances. Note that net worth reflects wealth after taxes and costs — prize money totals are pre-tax gross figures.
What was Rob Cross doing before becoming a darts player?
Rob Cross worked as a professional electrician in East Sussex before turning professional in darts. He had been playing darts semi-professionally and in local pub leagues while maintaining his trade career. He earned his PDC Tour Card at Q School in early 2017 and transitioned to full-time professional darts — winning the PDC World Championship less than 12 months later.
How did Rob Cross beat Phil Taylor in the 2018 World Championship?
Rob Cross defeated Phil Taylor 7–2 in the 2018 PDC World Championship final at Alexandra Palace. Taylor, competing in what he had announced would be his final professional tournament before retirement, was unable to match Cross’s consistent scoring on the night. Cross averaged over 100 per dart throughout the match, outscoring the 16-time world champion in what proved to be Taylor’s last ever competitive darts match.
What other major titles has Rob Cross won?
Beyond his 2018 PDC World Championship, Rob Cross has won the World Matchplay (2019), the European Championship (2019 and 2021), and several Players Championship and ranking titles. By 2025 he had accumulated 22 PDC titles in total, making him one of the most decorated players of his generation despite his late entry into the professional game.