Wade Breaks Ten-Year European Title Drought with Triumph in Flanders

James Wade finally put an end to a ten‑year wait for a European Tour championship when he overcame Ross Smith 8‑4 in the final of the Flanders Darts Trophy. The 43‑year‑old, who had not lifted a continental trophy since his victory at the European Darts Matchplay in Hamburg back in 2016, delivered a superb performance in Antwerp on Sunday evening, posting a three‑dart average of 95.50 and hitting five perfect 180s during the match. Wade's road to the title was anything but easy.

Earlier in the day he dispatched Damon Heta 7‑4 in the semi‑final, after a dominant 6‑0 whitewash of Danny Noppert in the quarter‑finals and a nail‑biting 6‑5 win over Rob Cross in the last‑16 round. "Some weeks it's good, sometimes it's bad. That's how it is for me," Wade said after collecting the £35,000 winner's cheque. "If it was good all the time, I'd smash them all to bits.

We can't always select how we feel." The victory is especially significant because Wade first appeared in a European Tour final in Austria back in 2012. This win marks his triumph in the 150th European Tour event, a milestone that underscores his longevity and resilience on the circuit.

Ross Smith, who had captured the Hungarian Darts Trophy just two weeks earlier, also enjoyed a strong showing in Antwerp. He had battled past Gian van Veen, Ryan Joyce and Gerwyn Price in last‑leg deciders earlier on Sunday before meeting Wade in the final. "I rode my luck today and the players have let me off, but Wade doesn't let you off ever," Smith remarked. "I admire him.

I watch his game and I can only admire the guy. James thoroughly deserved the win today.

He's just—he's absolute class, isn't he?" The European Tour will continue with the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, scheduled for 9‑11 October, promising more high‑stakes encounters for the sport's elite. Below is a recap of the results from the Flanders Darts Trophy: - **Evening Session Final (Sunday, 13 September)**: James Wade 8‑4 Ross Smith - **Semi‑Finals**: Ross Smith 7‑6 Gian van Veen; James Wade 7‑4 Damon Heta - **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 - **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 The event also served as a prelude to the upcoming 2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix, which will be held in Leicester.

The 32‑player field for that tournament was confirmed after the Belgium weekend concluded. Defending champion Luke Littler is among the contenders vying for a newly‑enhanced top prize of £150,000, with the competition running from 28 September to 4 October and every session broadcast live on Sky Sports. The official draw will be made on Monday, 14 September.

The seeded players, drawn from the PDC top‑16 rankings, are: 1. Luke Littler, 2. Luke Humphries, 3.

Gian van Veen, 4. Gerwyn Price, 5. Jonny Clayton, 6. James Wade, 7.

Josh Rock, 8. Danny Noppert, 9.

Michael van Gerwen, 10. Gary Anderson, 11. Stephen Bunting, 12. Wessel Nijman, 13.

Ross Smith, 14. Ryan Searle, 15.

Chris Dobey, 16. Nathan Aspinall.

Additional qualifiers from the ProTour rankings include Luke Woodhouse, Kevin Doets, Jermaine Wattimena, Krzysztof Ratajski, Andrew Gilding, William O'Connor, Damon Heta, Rob Cross, Ryan Joyce, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Niels Zonneveld, Cameron Menzies, Niko Springer, Dave Chisnall, Sebastian Bialecki and Joe Cullen. Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts, covering the World Grand Prix (28 September‑4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January). Fans can also stream all events and additional content via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract, ensuring that the sport remains accessible to a global audience.

Wade's triumph not only ends a decade‑long title drought but also reinforces his status as one of the most consistent performers on the European Tour. His ability to rebound from setbacks, maintain a high scoring average and deliver under pressure exemplifies the qualities that have kept him at the top of the game for many years. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Wade and his rivals to see who can capitalize on the momentum and claim the next major trophy on the darts calendar.