In the high-stakes arena of professional darts, where precision meets personality, James Wade, affectionately known as “The Machine,” has once again proven why he remains one of the sport’s enduring stars. At 42, the left-handed Englishman delivered a masterclass during a thrilling midweek block of three Players Championship tournaments in Leicester in June 2025, emerging as the top prize money earner with a staggering £21,000 haul. His crowning achievement was clinching Players Championship 19, defeating Scott Williams 8-3 in a final that showcased his vintage finishing prowess, ending a nearly three-year drought for a PDC ranking title. This triumphant return to form has not only silenced doubters but also propelled Wade back into the world’s top eight, reaffirming his status as one of darts’ all-time greats.
The Mattioli Arena in Leicester was the stage for Wade’s remarkable resurgence. In the Players Championship 19 final, he dominated Williams with an average of 101.52 and an astonishing 88.9% checkout rate, landing eight of nine double attempts. His performance was punctuated by a trio of ton-plus checkouts, including two 110 finishes and a trademark 120 combination that sealed the title. “It’s been a long time coming,” Wade quipped, reflecting on the £15,000 top prize that marked his first ranking title since November 2022. “I’m really, really happy. It’s been a difficult few years for me. I went from number three in the world down to outside of the top 20, but it wasn’t because my darting ability disappeared, it was because my health disappeared.” His candid admission highlighted the personal challenges he’s overcome, including health setbacks that had tested his resolve.
Wade’s path to the Players Championship 19 title was a display of relentless precision. He kicked off with a 6-2 rout of Brett Claydon, followed by another 6-2 victory over Joshua Richardson. In the last 16, he edged out Peter Wright in a deciding leg, a repeat of his resilience from the previous day’s tournament. The semi-finals saw him dispatch Andrew Gilding 7-3, with clinical 161 and 124 bullseye finishes setting the tone for his final showdown. Across the three tournaments—Players Championships 17, 18, and 19—Wade’s consistency shone through. He reached the quarter-finals in Players Championship 17 and the last 16 in Players Championship 18, adding £6,000 to his £15,000 winner’s purse, totaling £21,000 for the week. This outshone even Chris Dobey, who earned £18,000 after winning Players Championship 17.
Wade’s resurgence is particularly poignant given his storied career. With 11 PDC major titles, including the 2007 World Matchplay and 2009 Premier League, he ranks third behind Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in major victories. His journey from a 14-year-old prodigy in Hampshire to a world number two in 2010 has been marked by resilience and adaptability. Despite never clinching a PDC World Championship, his four semi-final appearances and three nine-dart finishes underscore his elite status. Fans on social media erupted with praise, with one writing, “The Machine is back! That finishing was unreal!” Another noted, “Wade’s still got it—top eight and a title at 42 is incredible.”
The Leicester triumph comes on the heels of a strong 2025 season for Wade. He reached the UK Open final in March, defeating world number one Luke Humphries and Josh Rock before falling 11-2 to Luke Littler. His World Matchplay semi-final run in 2024, where he bested Danny Noppert, Nathan Aspinall, and Ross Smith before losing to Humphries, further signaled his return to form. However, a second-round exit to Jermaine Wattimena at the 2025 World Championship was a reminder of the sport’s unpredictability. Wade’s £504,500 in prize money over the past two years, bolstered by his latest £21,000 haul, reflects his consistency and marketability, with an estimated net worth exceeding £4 million.
As Wade prepares for upcoming events like the World Matchplay in Blackpool, his Leicester performance has reignited excitement about his potential. “I still want to be in the mix,” he declared after the UK Open. “I know I am still good enough to compete with the best players, so I want to keep knocking on the door and upsetting the apple cart.” With his clinical finishing and renewed fire, James Wade is not just back—he’s a force to be reckoned with, ready to add more chapters to his illustrious darts legacy.
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