James Wade Ends Ten-year European Tour Wait With Flanders Darts Trophy Glory
James Wade Ends Ten-year European Tour Wait With Flanders Darts Trophy Glory
James Wade rolled back the years in Antwerp to end a decade-long wait for European Tour glory, defeating Ross Smith 8-4 to claim the 2026 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy.
The Machine produced a vintage display at the Antwerp Expo to lift his first European Tour title since the 2016 European Darts Matchplay, capping another remarkable run of form following last month’s Australian Darts Masters triumph.
Wade was clinical when it mattered most, pulling clear of Smith in the latter stages of a hard-fought final before sealing the title with a brilliant 14-darter.
The world number six had already survived a thriller against former World Champion Rob Cross earlier in the day and showed his class once again when the pressure intensified.
Wade began his Finals Day campaign with a comfortable 6-2 victory over Canadian Jim Long before edging Cross 6-5 in a dramatic deciding leg.
He then sent out a warning to the rest of the field by whitewashing Danny Noppert 6-0, before defeating Damon Heta 7-4 in the semi-finals.
Three ton-plus finishes helped Wade book his place in the showpiece, where he came up against Smith, who was chasing a third European Tour title of the year.
The final was finely poised in the opening exchanges before Wade hit the accelerator.
Three consecutive legs saw the 43-year-old surge into a 4-2 lead, but Smith refused to let him pull away.
The 37-year-old produced a spectacular response in the seventh leg, taking out 150 to cut the deficit to 4-3 and send a warning to Wade.
But The Machine was not to be denied.
Wade won four of the final five legs, taking complete control of the contest before producing the perfect finish to his ten-year wait.
A 14-darter secured the 8-4 victory — and another European Tour title for one of the sport’s greats.
“It’s quite easy playing Smudger in the final,” Wade joked afterwards, before paying tribute to his opponent.
“I’ve watched Ross since he was a young man. If his mum was here right now, she would be so proud of him.
“She always used to tell me how great he would be, he’s gone well and beyond what his mum thought he would ever be.
“He should take a bow, because it’s a privilege to share the stage with a man like him.”
Wade’s latest success comes 14 years after he reached the inaugural European Tour final at the 2012 Austrian Darts Open.
Now, after countless near misses and memorable moments on the circuit, he finally has another European Tour title to his name.
“I’ve had my small moments on the European Tour, so I’m really happy to win this one,” added the left-hander.
“Thankfully there’s not many players out there like him [Smith]. I’ve done enough today, and it might be another ten years before I win another!”
For Smith, it was another outstanding European Tour run but ultimately one that ended in heartbreak.
The former European Champion began his campaign with a 6-2 win over Jeffrey de Graaf before producing back-to-back deciding-leg victories against Gerwyn Price and Ryan Joyce.
He then completed an incredible hat-trick of last-leg triumphs against reigning European Champion Gian van Veen.
Smith fought back from 5-3 down in their semi-final, capitalising after Van Veen missed two match darts to book his place in the final.
But Wade proved one hurdle too far.
“I wasn’t at my best today, in the final was probably the best I’ve played all day,” reflected Smith.
“I’ve rode my luck, but Wadey doesn’t let you off, and I admire him.
“He’s absolutely class, he’s a grafter; it’s James Wade. He 100% deserved that win.”
Van Veen’s impressive run to the last four began with a 6-3 victory over Gabriel Clemens before he edged compatriot Kevin Doets in another deciding-leg battle.
The European Champion then defeated Chris Dobey 6-3 to set up his semi-final clash with Smith.
Heta also enjoyed a memorable run in Antwerp, surviving deciding-leg thrillers against Beau Greaves and Michael van Gerwen before defeating Luke Woodhouse and Nathan Aspinall to reach the last four.
Earlier on Finals Day, Joyce edged Jermaine Wattimena 6-5, while Noppert ended the run of fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman at the same stage.
The European Tour now takes a break before returning in October for the Swiss Darts Trophy, which takes place in Basel from October 9-11.
The 32-player field for the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix has also been confirmed following the conclusion of the Flanders Darts Trophy, with the European Championship qualification race now entering its final stages with just two events remaining.
James Wade Ends Ten-year European Tour Wait With Flanders Darts Trophy Glory
2026 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy
Sunday September 13
Afternoon Session
Round Three
Gian van Veen 6-5 Kevin Doets
Chris Dobey 6-5 Ryan Searle
Ryan Joyce 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Ross Smith 6-5 Gerwyn Price
James Wade 6-5 Rob Cross
Danny Noppert 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Damon Heta 6-3 Luke Woodhouse
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Gian van Veen 6-3 Chris Dobey
Ross Smith 6-5 Ryan Joyce
James Wade 6-0 Danny Noppert
Damon Heta 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
Semi-Finals
Ross Smith 7-6 Gian van Veen
James Wade 7-4 Damon Heta
Final
James Wade 8-4 Ross Smith
