James Wade finally put an end to a ten‑year wait for a European Tour crown when he outperformed Ross Smith 8‑4 in the final of the Flanders Darts Trophy. The 43‑year‑old, whose last continental triumph came at the 2016 European Darts Matchplay in Hamburg, delivered a superb performance in Antwerp on Sunday evening, posting a 95.50 three‑dart average and hitting five maximum 180s during the match.
Wade's road to the title was equally impressive. Earlier in the day he dispatched Damon Heta 7‑4 in the semi‑final, having previously overwhelmed Danny Noppert with a 6‑0 whitewash in the quarter‑finals and edged past Rob Cross 6‑5 in the last‑16 round. His consistency throughout the tournament highlighted his experience and resilience, especially given the high‑pressure environment of a European Tour event.
After collecting the £35,000 winner's cheque, Wade reflected on the emotional roller‑coaster of professional darts: "Some weeks it's good, sometimes it's bad. That's how it is for me. If it was good all the time, I'd smash them all to bits. We can't always select how we feel." His candid remarks underscored the mental challenges that accompany a sport where form can fluctuate dramatically from week to week.
This victory was historically significant for Wade. He had previously reached his first European Tour final back in 2012 in Austria, and the Flanders win marked his triumph in the 150th European Tour event ever staged. It also ended a decade‑long drought that had seen him fall short in several deep runs, reinforcing his status as one of the sport's most enduring competitors. Ross Smith, the runner‑up, entered the final after a remarkable run of his own.
He had claimed the Hungarian Darts Trophy just two weeks earlier and, on the day of the Flanders final, defeated Gian van Veen, Ryan Joyce and Gerwyn Price in tightly contested last‑leg deciders. Despite the loss, Smith praised Wade's skill, saying, "I rode my luck today and the players have let me off, but Wade doesn't let you off ever. 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 tournament also featured a host of other notable matches. In the semi‑finals, Smith edged Gian van Veen 7‑6, while Wade's 7‑4 victory over Heta demonstrated his clinical finishing. The quarter‑finals saw a dominant Wade 6‑0 performance over Noppert and a nail‑biting 6‑5 win for Smith over Ryan Joyce. Earlier rounds were filled with close contests, including several 6‑5 scores that highlighted the depth of talent on the European Tour circuit.
Looking ahead, the European Tour schedule continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, set for October 9‑11. Fans can anticipate more high‑stakes darts as the tour moves across Europe, offering players additional opportunities to add to their trophy cabinets. In related news, the field for the 2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix in Leicester has been finalized following the conclusion of the Belgian event.
The 32‑player lineup features defending champion Luke Littler, who will vie for a newly increased top prize of £150,000. The tournament runs from September 28 to October 4, with every session broadcast live on Sky Sports. The draw, scheduled for Monday, September 14, will determine the opening matchups. The seeded top‑16 from the PDC rankings include notable names such as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade, Josh Rock, Danny Noppert, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Stephen Bunting, Wessel Nijman, Ross Smith, Ryan Searle, Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall.
Qualifiers from the ProTour rankings round out the field, adding depth and excitement to the competition. Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster for darts, covering major events like the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14‑22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10‑January 3). Viewers can also stream matches and additional content through the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience.
Overall, James Wade's triumph in Flanders not only ends a personal title drought but also reinforces his legacy as a seasoned and adaptable competitor on the European stage. His victory adds another chapter to a career that has spanned more than a decade, and it sets the tone for an exciting remainder of the season as the tour moves to Switzerland and beyond.