‘Really?’ – Ex-Premier League Darts winner fumes in statement after 2026 tournament snub

James Wade is raging at not being included in the 2026 Premier League Darts line-up.

On Monday, the PDC announced the eight players that will compete in this year’s tournament, which sees the champion bank a whopping £350,000.

Getty

Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen automatically enter as the top four seeds in the Order of Merit.

They are joined by four wildcards – Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.

It means there is no room for 2009 champion Wade, who took to X in a statement after his omission from the field was confirmed.

“Hard work pays off… really?” he said. “Disappointed, but proud of the work I put in this year chasing one goal getting back to the Premier League. Missing out hurts, but that’s part of the journey.

“I trusted my performances in the big moments, two major finals and two major quarter-finals and I’ll keep backing that process.

“Back to work now. 2026, I’ll be ready. James.”

Wade reached the finals of the UK Open and World Matchplay in 2025, as well as two other PDC ranked televised quarter-finals.

The 42-year-old also made four semi-final appearances during the European Tour.

In the Players Championship, Wade beat Scott Williams to win night 19 alongside five quarter-final outings.

However, 2026 will be the fourth consecutive year in which he hasn’t played in the Premier League Darts.

Getty

When is the 2026 Premier League Darts?

The World Championship has just concluded, but champion and world no. 1 Littler will already be looking towards the Premier League.

Newcastle hosts the first of 16 nights of action on February 5 before the finals at the O2 Arena on May 28.

All eight players will compete in the quarter-finals on each night, with two eventually making the final.

The winner of each night banks a £10,000 bonus, with the total prize fund for the tournament sitting at £1,250,000.

Humphries enters as the reigning champion after his 11-8 win against Littler in last year’s final.