Emotional Wade Makes Statement with Milestone Matchplay Win and Opens Up on Premier League Snub

James Wade produced a vintage performance on Saturday night at the Betfred World Matchplay, as he marked his 20th consecutive appearance in the event with a dominant 10-3 victory over Joe Cullen. But it wasn’t just his darts doing the talking – Wade also delivered a rare and heartfelt message in the press room, lifting the lid on his frustrations about being overlooked for Premier League selection and the toll it has taken on him.

Wade’s victory over Cullen was one of the standout moments of the opening weekend in Blackpool, not only for the scoreline but for the quality of his performance. Averaging 104.44 – his highest ever on the Matchplay stage – “The Machine” rolled back the years with a demolition job that sent a clear message to his critics and the selectors.

The result comes at a pivotal moment for Wade, who recently climbed to fifth in the PDC’s Order of Merit. That puts him on the fringe of automatic qualification for the 2026 Premier League – a tournament he famously won back in 2009 and last featured in during 2022, when he finished third.

Yet despite his credentials and recent resurgence, Wade believes his return to the Premier League remains unlikely. In a brutally honest and emotional media appearance, the 41-year-old expressed doubts about whether he’d ever be welcomed back into the elite invitational.

“I think I’ve paid my dues. I’ve done enough and I’ve given so much of my life to the PDC,” said Wade. “But I don’t think it’ll ever happen for me again. If I did manage to get back into the top four, I honestly think they’d change the qualification rules just to keep me out.”

While the top four players in the PDC rankings qualify automatically, the remaining Premier League spots are filled at the discretion of Sky Sports and the PDC – often based on commercial appeal, popularity, and narrative. According to Wade, he doesn’t fit the mold that the sport’s decision-makers are seeking.

“I’m awkward,” he admitted. “I probably don’t say the right things at the right time. Maybe that’s why I’ve missed out on the World Series events and the Premier League over the last couple of years.”

“I’d love to travel the world. I’ve been doing this for 25 years. Don’t people think I want my kids and my wife to see me succeed? Of course I do. So when I’m not included, it crushes me. Why wouldn’t it?”

Wade’s comments painted a picture of a player who still has the hunger, drive, and competitive edge – but who feels sidelined in a sport he’s helped shape for two decades.

“Maybe I’m not what they need, and I’m not what they want,” he added. “But I want to be there. One hundred percent. I want to be part of everything. Of course I do. Because when you’re not, you feel like a lemon.”

Despite his disappointment over Premier League exclusion and having turned down previous offers to feature in World Series events, Wade isn’t walking away. In fact, his win over Cullen – and his recent climb in the rankings – suggests he’s playing some of his best darts in years.

Next up for the nine-time major champion is a second-round clash with Dutch youngster Wessel Nijman, who impressed on his debut. A win there would take Wade into the quarter-finals in Blackpool, and further strengthen his case for inclusion in the sport’s most prestigious showcases.

As ever, Wade isn’t just chasing trophies – he’s fighting for respect, for recognition, and for his place at the very top of the sport he’s dedicated his life to.

“I’ll keep trying as hard as I can,” he concluded. “That’s all I can do.”