James Wade finally put an end to a ten‑year wait for a European Tour crown 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 95.50 three‑dart average and hitting five maximum 180s during the decisive match.
Wade's route to the final 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.
Each of those encounters tested his composure, but the veteran showed why he remains a force on the circuit. When asked about the £35,000 prize money and the emotional roller‑coaster of his career, Wade replied, "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 resilience required to stay competitive at the highest level of darts.
The victory was particularly significant for Wade because it marked his first European Tour final win since his debut appearance in Austria in 2012, and it also represented his triumph in the 150th European Tour event ever staged. The milestone highlighted both his longevity and his ability to adapt his game over more than a decade of professional play. Ross Smith, the runner‑up, entered the final after a remarkable run of his own.
He had captured the Hungarian Darts Trophy just two weeks earlier and, on the same day as the Flanders final, he survived three tight matches that all went to the last leg. He edged past Gian van Veen, Ryan Joyce and Gerwyn Price in successive sudden‑death deciders, demonstrating the depth of talent on the European Tour.
Speaking after his defeat, Smith praised Wade, 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 mutual respect between the two competitors was evident, adding a sports‑manlike tone to the conclusion of the event. The Flanders Darts Trophy will be followed by the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, scheduled for 9‑11 October, where the tour will continue to showcase emerging talent and seasoned veterans alike. The European Tour calendar remains packed, offering players numerous opportunities to earn ranking points and prize money. In related news, the field for the 2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix in Leicester has been confirmed following the conclusion of the Belgian event.
The 32‑player lineup features defending champion Luke Littler, who will join a host of top‑ranked professionals in a battle for a newly increased top prize of £150,000. The tournament runs from 28 September to 4 October, with every session broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The seeded players, drawn from the PDC top‑16 rankings, include: 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 Qualifiers from the ProTour rankings round out the field, featuring names such as 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 in the UK, covering the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January). Fans can also stream live coverage via the NOW platform without a contract, ensuring that the sport remains accessible to a broad audience.
Overall, Wade's long‑awaited victory not only adds a prestigious title to his résumé but also serves as a reminder of the perseverance required to succeed in professional darts. His triumph, combined with the upcoming events and the confirmed Grand Prix lineup, promises an exciting second half of the season for players and supporters alike.