Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis has called for James Wade to return to the 2026 Premier League Darts line-up.
‘Jackpot’ feels that Wade is ‘overlooked’ by the PDC, and that ‘The Machine’ should make the cut for the Premier League next year alongside Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and co.
Adrian Lewis Calls For James Wade Premier League Inclusion
Fresh off the back of his journey to the World Matchplay Darts final at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, James Wade is the talk of the darting world right now.
Despite not going on to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy, Wade put up a resilient fight against Luke Littler, ultimately falling to a 18-13 defeat in the final against ‘The Nuke’.
Littler was a resounding favourite with UK betting apps to win his first World Matchplay, which he did in truly epic fashion. He also hit a nine-dart finish along the way in his semi-final against Josh Rock.
Wade of course won the World Matchplay back in 2007, 18 years ago. The Englishman has shown incredible longevity over the years in darts, and is still competing at the highest level some 20 years on.
One man who has been full of praise for ‘The Machine’ is two-time world champion Adrian Lewis. The former darting juggernaut believe that his former foe should be considered for the Premier League line-up next year.
Lewis feels that Wade is often overlooked in darting circles, but has more than earned a return to the 2026 Premier League Darts line-up next year.
Lewis: Wade ‘Deserves’ Premier League Spot After World Matchplay Display
Adrian Lewis has called for a Premier League return for James Wade, despite losing out in the World Matchplay Final.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler, who is the most popular darts player in the world, was expected to beat ‘The Machine’, but it was far from easy.
Wade put up a stellar fight, showing that he can still hang with the big boys and best players in the world on the big stage.
Although the spotlight was all on ‘The Nuke’ and has been since his emergence at the 2024 World Darts Championship, ‘Jackpot’ was full of praise for fellow darting veteran Wade, who has now made seven World Matchplay finals at the Winter Gardens:
“I don’t think he dropped below a 100 average all the way through the tournament,” Lewis told talkSPORT.
“That takes some doing. To still do that after 20-odd years – he’s a credit to the sport as well. He’s very overlooked a lot of the time, but to me, he’s definitely been the best finisher in the world over the last 20 years.
When Was James Wade Last In The Premier League?
The last time James Wade was included in the Premier League Darts line-up was back in 2022. On that occasions, ‘The Machine’ finished in the top four and made the play-offs with a third place finish.
Wade was defeated in the semi-final on that occasion by Michael van Gerwen, whose net worth has surpassed £6m, which was the last time we saw him in Premier League action.
The Englishman has won the Premier League before. Wade reigned supreme at the Premier League in 2007 in what was his second appearance in the competition.
Overall, ‘The Machine’ has played in 12 Premier League Darts campaigns. His record is impressive too, winning one, reaching the final twice, the semi-final a further four times and finishing outside the play-offs just five times in total.
If anyone deserves to return to the Premier League line-up next year, it’s James Wade.
