The 2026 Premier League Darts season burst into life at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, with fresh rivalries igniting and high-stakes drama unfolding on the oche. Yet amid the electric atmosphere and standout performances, one of the sport’s most decorated players, James Wade, found himself on the outside looking in—and he wasn’t shy about sharing his thoughts as the new campaign got underway.
Wade, a former Premier League champion from 2009 and an 11-time major winner known as “The Machine,” was notably absent from the eight-man line-up despite a strong 2025 campaign. He reached the finals of both the UK Open and the World Matchplay, falling to teenage sensation Luke Littler on each occasion, and claimed a ProTour title along the way. By prize money rankings, only Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gian van Veen outperformed him last year. Wade firmly believed those results should have secured his return to the prestigious league phase.
Speaking candidly after a hard-fought win at the recent Winmau World Masters, Wade didn’t hold back on his disappointment. “Of course [it’s disappointing to miss out on Premier League selection], there are only three players that did better than me,” he said. “So the statistics and stats don’t lie.” He went further, questioning the decision-making process in a way that many interpreted as a pointed dig at the PDC’s selection criteria and perhaps some of his rivals. Wade suggested his exclusion stemmed from factors beyond pure performance, admitting he turned to his wife for answers. “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.”
He pointed to his personality as the likely culprit. “So it’s the way I am as a character,” Wade reflected. “I know I’m awkward.” The veteran, who has long been open about living with bipolar disorder, described the snub as deeply personal and damaging. “It’s hard to chew when you have the condition that I have,” he explained. “It’s a complete kick in the privates. It really knocks your confidence, knocks you for six… there’s no apparent reason why I wasn’t in.” He added that while the PDC and Sky Sports run it as a business—”as a business, I wasn’t in their business model, which is fair enough”—the rejection felt unjust given his on-stage achievements.
Wade’s comments landed as the Premier League kicked off without him, stirring debate among fans and observers. Some saw his remarks as a justified pushback against what they view as favoritism toward more marketable or less confrontational figures, while others noted his history of outspokenness. References to certain players being selected because “they’re part of something that’s bigger than darts” fueled speculation that commercial appeal or controversy played a role over raw merit. Wade has previously criticized the sport’s direction, once suggesting newer stars can come across as “very robotic” and that the game is “poorer” for lacking diverse personalities.
Despite the sting, Wade remains focused forward. He emphasized resilience in the face of setbacks, drawing from his long career battling both opponents and personal challenges. “You keep knocking on the door and you get moments where I honestly believe I deserve to be in it,” he said. “But what do you do?” For now, that means channeling the frustration into other events, proving his worth on the ProTour and majors while the Premier League caravan rolls on.
The opening night itself delivered plenty of fireworks to shift attention back to the action. Michael van Gerwen stormed to victory, claiming the nightly £10,000 and five points in dominant fashion. Debutant Gian van Veen stunned world number one Luke Littler in a 6-4 upset, while Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries, and others showcased their skills in tight contests. The all-Dutch final saw van Gerwen edge van Veen 6-4, with the three-time champion declaring, “Winning is the best medicine,” as he eyed an eighth Premier League title.
Wade’s absence—and his unfiltered take on why—adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a gripping 16-week slog. As the league progresses toward the Play-Offs in May, the darts world watches to see if performances on the board can silence the off-stage debates. For Wade, the message is clear: merit should matter most, and he’s not done proving it yet. The 2026 season is already proving unpredictable, both on and off the stage.
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