The 2025 Betfred World Matchplay final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens was a showcase of darts brilliance, with 18-year-old Luke Littler clinching an 18-13 victory over veteran James Wade to claim the Phil Taylor Trophy and complete darts’ coveted Triple Crown. Yet, the spotlight shifted from Littler’s historic triumph to controversy surrounding Wade’s abrupt departure from the stage before the trophy presentation, an act that drew sharp criticism from Sky Sports experts. “I thought it was disrespectful,” said pundit Michael Bridge, echoing sentiments that sparked heated debate among fans and analysts alike. Wade’s actions, combined with his earlier outspoken comments about perceived media snubs, painted a complex picture of a darts legend navigating pride, frustration, and the pressures of a changing sport.
Wade, the 2007 Matchplay champion, delivered a stellar performance throughout the tournament, reaching his seventh final and tenth semi-final in his 20th consecutive Blackpool appearance. The 42-year-old, nicknamed “The Machine,” stormed out to a 5-0 lead against Littler, showcasing the clinical finishing that saw him hit over 44% of his doubles. However, Littler, the world champion, mounted a remarkable comeback, firing 17 180s and a 104.46 tournament average to secure the £200,000 prize. “Phil [Taylor] is my idol—he won here 16 times, and now my name will be on this trophy,” Littler said, celebrating his place among darts’ elite as the youngest Matchplay champion, surpassing Wade’s record set at age 24. Despite the loss, Wade’s resilience was evident, with a 101 average and key checkouts, including a 95 and 101, keeping him in contention until Littler’s late surge.
The controversy erupted when Wade left the stage before Littler’s trophy lift, forgoing the traditional runner-up interview with Sky Sports. “It was a brilliant week of highs,” Wade later posted on social media, congratulating Littler but offering no explanation for his exit. Sky Sports’ Chris Murphy called the move “disappointing,” arguing it overshadowed Wade’s stellar campaign. “You’re expected to stay and show sportsmanship,” Murphy said, noting that Littler revealed Wade had congratulated him post-match, suggesting no personal animosity. “We practiced together, and he told me, ‘Get up off your a**e and practice with me,’” Littler shared, highlighting their camaraderie despite the tense final. The Darts Regulation Authority’s rulebook mandates media obligations, but reports suggest Wade faces no formal sanction, as PDC players are self-employed contractors, leaving the incident in a gray area.
Wade’s frustration had been brewing earlier in the tournament. After a thrilling 16-13 quarter-final win over Gian van Veen, where he reeled off eight consecutive legs, Wade lashed out at Sky Sports for overlooking him in pre-match coverage. “I’ve probably played some of the better darts out of all players, and the whole Sky build-up didn’t show me once,” he said, visibly angered. “I’m one of the best darts players to have walked the planet in the last 20 years.” His comments, backed by opponent Jonny Clayton, who called him “probably the third or fourth best star player on earth,” underscored Wade’s belief that his longevity—spanning three decades of TV titles, including the World Matchplay, UK Open, and Premier League—deserves more respect. “I’m really lucky to have contributed to get darts to where it is now,” he added, crediting predecessors while acknowledging the sport’s evolution through stars like Littler.
The incident sparked polarized reactions online. Some fans defended Wade, with one posting, “He’s earned the right to be upset—20 years at the top and still overlooked!” Others criticized his exit, with a user tweeting, “Leaving the stage like that was a bad look for Wade. Littler deserved his moment.” The controversy recalls Wade’s earlier reflections on darts’ shift from the “pure” era of 2004-2008 to today’s media-driven spectacle. “My favorite moments were when darts was darts,” he said, lamenting the modern emphasis on younger stars like Littler, whose rise has fueled the sport’s global boom, including a £1 million World Championship purse.
As Wade, now world No. 5, prepares for upcoming events like the Australian Darts Masters, his Matchplay run—defeating Van Veen and Clayton in a 20-18 semi-final thriller—proves his enduring class. “I was flabbergasted,” Wade said after edging Clayton, admitting exhaustion but relishing the high averages. Yet, the stage exit debate lingers, raising questions about sportsmanship versus personal pride. Littler, unfazed, is already eyeing the World Championship, saying, “I’ve only got a few majors left to tick off.” For Wade, the focus is clear: continue proving his greatness in a sport he helped shape, even as the spotlight tilts toward the next generation.
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