James Wade has once again sparked conversation across the darts world after offering a bold assessment of one of his rivals — and in the process, revealing a deeper belief about the legends of the sport and those he feels haven’t always received their due recognition.
Speaking in the midst of his campaign at the 2026 Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes, the 42-year-old English left-hander — widely known as “The Machine” — didn’t mince his words when asked to reflect on his recent performances and where he sees some of his peers in the broader history of darts. After a hard-fought victory over two-time world champion Gary Anderson that set up a quarterfinal clash with rising star Gian van Veen, Wade made a striking claim: one of his most respected old rivals ranks as the second-best darts player ever — and yet remains “overlooked” when fans and pundits rank the all-time greats.
“It was just a scrap, wasn’t it?” Wade said following his victory over Anderson, describing the match as a “hard work, hard battle” and stressing that he felt fortunate to come out on top. But it was his next remarks that fueled headlines: without hesitation, he pointed to Anderson — a prolific winner and two-time PDC World Champion — as someone whose quality and accomplishments are underappreciated in the bigger conversations about darts history.
“When he’s at his absolute prime,” Wade said, “he’s the second-best darts player on the planet.” That’s high praise from a man who has been counted among the top players of his generation for decades, and it underscores a continuing theme in Wade’s commentary: that the sport sometimes forgets or undervalues what past champions have meant to darts and what they brought to crowds around the world.
Wade’s own career speaks to that longevity and success. He has been a fixture in top-flight darts since the early 2000s, with a résumé that includes major wins and a reputation as one of the most consistent performers of his era. Yet, like the player he praised, Wade himself has often been part of debates about recognition. Despite multiple high-profile final appearances and victories in major events, a world championship title has eluded him — something he has openly acknowledged as one of the unfinished chapters of his career.
His candid reflections didn’t stop at historical rankings either. In recent weeks, Wade has been vocal about the current direction of the sport, the performances of rising players, and his own place within that evolving landscape. He has suggested that younger fans sometimes don’t appreciate the depth and quality of the older generation, and that players like Anderson — and even himself — deserve more respect for what they’ve achieved at the highest level.
That isn’t to say Wade has his head in the past. On the contrary, his play in Milton Keynes showed he’s still very much a force to be reckoned with. The match against Anderson saw him recover from an early deficit, leveling the contest before seizing the final set with a trademark big finish to take the win. His blend of steely resolve and tactical nous was on full display as he found his rhythm in the key moments, reminding fans why he remains such a formidable competitor.
Off the oche, Wade hasn’t shied away from confronting some of the more uncomfortable issues that accompany professional sport. He has openly discussed feeling overlooked in Premier League selections and debated the criteria by which players are judged — whether it’s ranking, personality, or sheer entertainment value. That willingness to speak frankly has made him a compelling figure in darts, even if it occasionally courts controversy.
All of this comes at a time when the sport itself is undergoing a period of transition. A new generation of players — from youthful phenoms to established stars — is staking its claim at major events. Their performances are pushing standards ever higher, and debates about who should be ranked where in the all-time lists are as vibrant as ever.
In that context, Wade’s assertion about who he believes is the second-best player ever — and his broader commentary on respect and legacy — has added fuel to conversations among fans, commentators, and fellow professionals alike. Whether you agree with his assessment or not, it’s clear that Wade’s perspective is shaped by decades of experience, and by a deep passion for the sport he’s helped shape.
Where the rest of his 2026 campaign goes from here remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: when James Wade speaks about darts, people listen.
James Wade is deserving of great respect! His skill level demands that respect! However, he contributes virtually nothing beyond that ‘skill’ level. He does not seem to enjoy the game and has said, ‘he’s there for the money! He’d rather be working on cars! His emotions surface once in ‘a century’ when he throws an errant dart. As he has aged, he has become ‘stolid’, inanimate (not endowed with life or spirit, not animated or lively, dull) he does not seem to appreciate the ‘gift’ that he has..I believe the ‘younger’ James Wade did appreciate the gift…this old guy (still young but seems ‘old’) seems to be carrying a ‘burden’ each time he has to go up on that stage…some indication of a ‘personality’ would be welcome….as long as it isn’t the ‘fist pumping and howl’ of Price …also a gifted player..I’ll take Anderson and Aspinall over Wade and Price….every …time!!!