Wade Blasts Premier League Snub: “Only Two Players Did Better Than Me”
James Wade has unleashed a blistering critique of the Premier League Darts selection process, claiming that only two stars—Luke Littler and Luke Humphries—truly deserved a spot ahead of him based on merit. In a candid and emotional revelation following his opening victory at the Winmau World Masters, “The Machine” laid bare his frustration at being omitted from the 2026 line-up, describing the decision as a “kick in the privates” that has left him questioning his place in the sport’s business model.
The 11-time major champion was noticeably absent when the eight-player field was announced for the prestigious invitational. Despite a stellar 2025 season that saw him reach major finals at the UK Open and the World Matchplay, Wade was overlooked in favor of wildcards such as Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, and Stephen Bunting. For Wade, the statistics paint a clear picture that contradicts his exclusion.
“I don’t want to criticize the players selected for the event,” Wade stated, “but besides Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, I believe I’ve been one of the most consistent players throughout the season.”
His argument is rooted in cold, hard data. Wade points out that aside from the sport’s two dominant Lukes, very few players matched his performance levels or prize money earnings over the last twelve months. “Statistics and facts don’t lie,” he asserted. “There are only three players that did better than me.” Yet, the selectors opted for other names, a move Wade believes is driven by factors unrelated to his ability on the oche.
In a moment of raw vulnerability, Wade shared a private conversation with his wife where he tried to rationalize the snub. He ran through a checklist of insecurities, asking if his exclusion was due to his age, his weight, or his looks.
“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,” he recounted. “So it’s just obviously the way I am, I’m quite awkward as a character.”
This self-professed “awkwardness,” Wade feels, is what ultimately cost him a place in the lucrative tournament. He admitted that he likely doesn’t fit the “business model” the PDC and broadcasters are looking for, despite his pedigree as one of the sport’s most decorated players. However, acknowledging the business reality hasn’t made the pill any easier to swallow, especially given his open battles with bipolar disorder.
“It’s hard to chew when you have the condition that I have, as it’s a complete kick in the privates and really knocks your confidence,” Wade confessed. “It knocks you for six, as there’s no apparent reason why I shouldn’t have been in.”
The disappointment is compounded by Wade’s belief that the selection committee places undue weight on the World Championship while ignoring the preceding eleven months of the tour. Although he suffered an early exit at Alexandra Palace to Ricky Evans, Wade maintains that his “bloody good year” prior to that should have been sufficient currency to buy his ticket to the Premier League.
As the Premier League roadshow prepares to roll into Newcastle without him, Wade is left to channel his frustration into the remaining tournaments on the calendar. While he feels “lost” and “gutted” by the decision, his performances at the World Masters suggest he is ready to let his darts do the talking, proving once again that while he may not fit the mold, he certainly fits the standard.
For now, the message from “The Machine” is clear: the numbers don’t add up, and the decision to leave him out is one that logic—and the stats—simply cannot support.
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