In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision meets passion under the glaring lights of packed arenas, few stories capture the raw emotion of the sport quite like James Wade’s recent ordeal. The 42-year-old Englishman, affectionately known as ‘The Machine’ for his methodical and unyielding style, has once again found himself on the outside looking in. For the fourth consecutive year, Wade has been overlooked for a spot in the prestigious Premier League Darts, a grueling three-month tournament that showcases the game’s elite. This snub, coming on the heels of what he describes as a “bloody good year,” has left him questioning not just the selection process, but his place in the sport he has dominated for decades.
Wade’s journey in darts is one of remarkable achievement and quiet resilience. Bursting onto the scene in the mid-2000s, he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His crowning glory came in 2009 when he clinched the Premier League title, outlasting a field of top competitors in a format that demands consistency, nerve, and endurance. Over the years, he has amassed an impressive 11 major titles, placing him third on the all-time list behind legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. Yet, despite this storied career, Wade hasn’t featured in the Premier League since 2022, a decision that stings deeply given his recent performances.
The 2025 season was a testament to Wade’s enduring talent. He reached the finals of both the UK Open and the World Matchplay, two of the sport’s most challenging events, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure against younger, hungrier opponents. He also secured a Pro Tour title, adding to his trophy cabinet and bolstering his ranking as the world number 11. However, a second-round exit at the PDC World Championship seemed to seal his fate, as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) opted not to include him in the eight-player Premier League lineup. This exclusion has sparked frustration, not just for Wade, but for fans who see it as a oversight of merit in favor of other factors.
Speaking candidly after his hard-fought 3-2 victory over Madars Razma in the opening round of the Winmau Darts Masters—a tournament he previously won in 2014—Wade laid bare his disappointment. The Masters, held in a vibrant atmosphere that echoes the intensity of darts’ biggest stages, provided the backdrop for his emotional outpouring. Reflecting on the importance of starting the year strong, he said, “It’s as important as all the others, we’ll just see what happens. I had a disappointing back-end to last year, I didn’t get the pick for anything, had a disappointing World Championship, but I had a bloody good year. So it’s kind of hard to gather ground and gather a bit of momentum even though I was good last year, so it’s a game of restarting.”
But Wade didn’t stop at surface-level reflections. In a brutally honest press conference, he delved into the personal toll of the snub, speculating on why he might have been passed over. He recounted a private conversation with his wife, where he pondered aloud about potential biases. “Of course, there’s only three players that did better than me,” he asserted, pointing to the likes of Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen as the only ones who outshone him consistently in 2025, with those players sharing the year’s single majors. “So the statistics and stats don’t lie… I said to my wife, ‘Is it because I’m overweight?’ No, because there’s someone else that’s this size. ‘Is it because I’m old’?, No, because there’s someone else that’s there, ‘Is it because I’m not great looking?’, No, because there’s some others that are not-so-great looking. So it’s just obviously the way I am, I’m quite awkward as a character.”
Wade’s vulnerability extended to his well-documented battle with bipolar disorder, a condition that adds layers of complexity to his emotional landscape. He described the rejection as “a complete kick in the privates” that “really knocks your confidence” and “knocks you for six.” For someone managing mental health challenges, the lack of clear reasoning behind the decision makes it even harder to process. “It’s hard to chew when you have the condition that I have,” he admitted, emphasizing how the snub feels like a personal affront despite understanding the business side of the sport. “There’s no apparent reason why I shouldn’t have been in. But as a business, I wasn’t in their model, which is fair enough. But for someone with mental illness, it’s quite hard to chew.”
He went further, critiquing the subjective nature of the selection process. “It shouldn’t have to be where someone has to pick you. It should be where you do enough, and I believe I did enough. I did more than anyone else, apart from the top three or four.” This sentiment highlights a broader debate in darts about how players are chosen for the Premier League—a mix of world rankings, recent form, and marketability. While the tournament features global stars and aims to draw massive crowds and TV audiences, Wade’s exclusion raises questions about whether raw performance is always the deciding factor.
As Wade looks ahead, his focus shifts to the immediate challenge: a second-round clash with long-time rival Gary Anderson at the Masters. A victory here could propel him toward his first PDC major win since the 2021 UK Open, reigniting his momentum and perhaps forcing selectors to take notice. In a sport where mental fortitude is as crucial as physical skill, Wade’s openness about his struggles serves as a powerful reminder of the human element behind the arrows. His story is not just one of snubbed opportunity, but of perseverance amid adversity, inspiring fans and fellow players alike to appreciate the unseen battles that unfold off the oche.
Darts, after all, is more than a game of numbers—it’s a test of character. And James Wade, with his unfiltered honesty and unbreakable spirit, embodies that truth better than most. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this heartache fuels a triumphant comeback or lingers as a poignant chapter in a legendary career.
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