Twenty years on from making his Betfred World Matchplay bow as an unassuming youngster, James Wade is bidding to roll back the years and repeat former glories in Blackpool. The iconic Winter Gardens venue was the scene of his maiden televised triumph back in 2007, and almost two decades on, Wade remains a formidable contender […]
Twenty years on from making his Betfred World Matchplay bow as an unassuming youngster, James Wade is bidding to roll back the years and repeat former glories in Blackpool.
The iconic Winter Gardens venue was the scene of his maiden televised triumph back in 2007, and almost two decades on, Wade remains a formidable contender at the sport’s elite level.
The 43-year-old reached the final on his World Matchplay debut in 2006, six months before world number one Luke Littler was even born.
Ironically, Wade and Littler went head-to-head in last year’s showpiece, with the teenage sensation coming out on top to deny the left-hander his second Phil Taylor Trophy.
However, Wade has now featured in seven World Matchplay finals – a record only bettered by the irrepressible Taylor himself.
“I don’t think there are many dart players that have achieved something like that, so I’m proud of myself,” revealed Wade, the number six seed in 2026.
“Everyone forgets that I’ve played John Lowe, Cliff Lazarenko and all these names that have put this game where it is.
“I’m really thankful to have played a part and contributed to where the game is now, and I’m happy to still be here and be a part of it.
“If you had told me 20 years ago the trajectory of darts would have been like this, I would have laughed at you, but it’s just gone crazy.
“You’ve gone from playing qualifiers in pubs to playing in arenas like The O2, Madison Square Garden. The list goes on. It’s surpassed what I thought darts would ever achieve.”
Wade will begin his 21st World Matchplay campaign with a clash against Jermaine Wattimena, with either Ryan Searle or William O’Connor awaiting the winner in round two.
The ten-time TV title winner overcame Joe Cullen, Wessel Nijman, Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton in progressing to last year’s final, and he’s relishing his latest Blackpool pilgrimage.
“Twenty years…It’s still my favourite tournament and my favourite venue,” revealed Wade.
“I met my wife here. This place has given me my best experiences in darts, and I’m really grateful to be here.
“It’s a small intimate crowd in Blackpool, but they’re genuinely passionate darts fans and that’s a refreshing recipe for dart players.
“I think the first time I played here I was 23. I feel more relaxed nowadays, and I’m more confident than the young man who first started.”
The Aldershot stalwart has been involved in a multitude of iconic moments on the Winter Gardens stage, most notably his emphatic 18-7 success against Terry Jenkins in the 2007 final.
Wade also famously ended Taylor’s 38-match winning run at the World Matchplay in 2015, defying Taylor’s bid for an eighth straight title with a 17-14 victory in the semi-finals.
Less than 12 months ago, Wade also won through a 38-leg marathon against Clayton, converting a brace of 161 checkouts to prevail in a compelling semi-final.
However, his resurgence over the last 18 months hasn’t just been reserved for the World Matchplay stage, illustrated by his appearances in back-to-back UK Open finals.
In similar fashion to last year’s World Matchplay final, Wade was thwarted by a relentless Littler on both occasions, although further televised success feels inevitable given his recent exploits.
“I’ve made three finals and a few semi-finals in major tournaments [in the last year], so I’m not doing a lot wrong,” declared Wade, who is eyeing a first TV ranking title since March 2021.
“I think in the last couple of months I’ve been a little bit lazy, but apart from that I’ve been good.
“We’re coming into the business end of the year now, so I’ve got to try and rekindle that dedication again, because I’m not sure I’m in the best form at the minute.
“I would love to lift this title again and I think I will in the next few years.”