WADE ON COURSE FOR PREMIER LEAGUE RETURN
11/03/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
JAMES WADE will receive a Premier League call-up, according to ex-pro John Part.
The three-time world champion believes Wade is putting himself firmly back in the frame for a place in the major tournament after a strong run of form.
World No.6 Wade was controversially left out of this year’s line-up despite making a strong case for inclusion after reaching TWO Premier event finals.
‘The Machine’ has continued that brilliant run into this season, winning Players Championship One and finishing runner-up at the UK Open.
Part believes the snub may have worked in Wade’s favour, with the frustration of missing out fuelling his recent performances on the tour.
He told the Love the Darts podcast: “He is definitely on course. He had a case to get in the Premier League. But I look at it: if he had got in the Premier League, would he be doing all of this now?
“It is sort of like the response, the indignity, the outrage—whatever he is feeling—has been a motivational factor for him.
“As an amateur psychologist, I am thinking this has probably worked out for the best for him.”
The Canadian legend has also tipped Wade to lift a major title later this season if he continues playing at his current level.
He added: “Certainly, if the Premier League is his deepest desire, to get back there, if he keeps this up I cannot see how he can miss if he gets a major this year.
“The way he is playing, you would think he will get something along the line because he is playing very well.
“You see him play well and you think, oh, it is a one-off because he has been around too long or he is too old, which is funny because he is not.
“His confidence is building and he feels righteous, and that is a powerful thing. I think he can just about do anything.
“It’s tough though because he has got stiff competition. Obviously any win for anybody at this point, it is surprising if it’s not Luke Littler.
“If you survive that bit, there is still a dozen names competing for that elusive win that isn’t Luke Littler.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
