It’s been three long years since James Wade graced the PDC's Premier League stage, and if darts did reunion specials, this would be the one fans had been waiting for. Back in 2022, The Machine looked like he was firing on all cylinders – two nightly wins, a semi-final run, and a respectable third in the table – until Michael van Gerwen appeared, steamrolled him, and casually bagged his sixth title. Standard MVG behaviour at the time.
Then came the slump. Wade vanished from Premier League line-ups quicker than your luggage at Amsterdam airport. Results dried up, invites stopped arriving, and suddenly one of the most consistent darters of his generation was reduced to watching Thursday nights from the couch.
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Fast forward to now and Wade has done something very Wade-like: quietly, methodically, stubbornly, he’s forced himself back into the conversation. Finalist at the UK Open? Tick. Finalist at the World Matchplay? Tick. Sure, both ended in Luke Littler reminding us that teenagers aren’t supposed to be this good, but still – Wade is back up to world number five. That’s within spitting distance of Stephen Bunting in fourth, and we all know the magic number: finish in the top four, and you’re automatically in the Premier League. Or so we are led to believe!
Speaking to BBC Sport, Wade admitted:
“Top four is a dream position to be in, but it is achievable. Staying in the top 10 is a hard job. I'd love the opportunity to be back in the Premier League but we'll see what happens – I think I need to be in the top four to be in there.”
For a man who’s spent half his career proving the PDC doesn’t like non-conformists, it’s classic Wade understatement. The truth is, if he defends his earnings from the European Championship final and Grand Slam semi-final a couple of years back – or better yet, bags another major – he’ll make himself impossible to ignore.
UNDERSTATED PERFECTION: James Wade Hit 9 dart leg
He’s also still got a romantic streak, recalling his early days when darts went from smoke-filled pubs to packed arenas:
“It's amazing how far the game has come, going from little pubs to darts around the world. I remember first time playing at the O2 in front of 12,500 people – that was a magical moment in darts.”
Wade’s Premier League history is anything but boring. Debut in 2008, trophy in 2009, multiple finals, semi-finals, and enough near-misses to make you wonder if he enjoys heartbreak. Phil Taylor bullied him, Rob Cross denied him, and Gerwyn Price’s withdrawal in 2021 saw him parachuted back in as a replacement. Through it all, though, Wade has kept doing what he does best: double-hitting, game-managing, and generally annoying opponents who prefer fireworks to reliability.
WADE WINS PREMIER LEAGUE: James captures 2009 Premier League!
The Machine’s resume is proof of twenty years spent refusing to go away. And now, with his doubles still sharp and his scoring power showing signs of life, a second Premier League crown – nearly two decades after his first – isn’t impossible. Knowing Wade, he’d probably do it just to irritate the selection panel. We think James finds that as satisfying as lifting trophies.
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