James Wade has criticised the current standard of darts in major tournaments despite ‘better players’ being involved.
The world no.14 shared his concerns over a lack of ‘big numbers’ and ‘magical games’ at the sport’s marquee events.
GettyWade has criticised the current standard of top level darts[/caption]
Wade is a four-time PDC World Darts Championship semi-finalist, although he has lost his opening match in each of the last three years.
His underwhelming recent form at Alexandra Palace has coincided with Luke Littler and Luke Humphries’ rises to the top of the sport.
The top two players in the world traded Major wins in 2024 after beginning the year with a clash in the final at Ally Pally.
Littler then followed up his debut year as a professional by becoming darts’ youngest ever world champion last month.
However, Wade has now claimed the current standard is not what it is ‘hyped up to be’ despite Littler and Humphries contributing to a boom in darts’ popularity.
Speaking to Sky Sports’ Love the Darts podcast, ‘the Machine’ claimed: “I don’t think it’s what it’s hyped up to be.
“What I feel is there’s more better players that can win tournaments, there’s more than a few of them now, but I don’t feel the big numbers are coming and I don’t feel that the magical games are that in-depth in tournaments now.
“I just don’t feel that the big numbers are there. I watch very, very little darts, so I’m probably the worst person to ask, but I don’t see that the standards are as mighty as what some people talk about.
“It’s magical, you know, and it’s amazing. But I just feel there have been other years and other times where it’s probably been a bit better. That’s my experience from what I see anyway.”
Wade had been speaking ahead of this weekend’s UK Open at Butlins Minehead.
GettyLittler has helped bring darts into the mainstream[/caption]
The 41-year-old is a three-time winner of the event, most recently in 2021.
He has also lifted the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and European Championship during his illustrious career.
Wade has been competing in the PDC since 2004 having made the switch from the BDO aged 21.
His breakthrough in the sport followed two years later as he began competing with the likes of Phil Taylor and Kevin Painter.
Wade’s trophy haul also includes the 2009 Premier League, having beaten Mervyn King in the final.
He has also hit four televised nine-dart finishes in his career, including at Ally Pally in 2020.
So far this year, Wade has suffered a second round exit at the World Masters in January at the hands of Littler.
Meanwhile, his best performance on the Pro Tour in 2025 came at Players Championship 4 last week, losing in the quarter-finals to Cameron Menzies.
The world no.14 will be hoping for a fourth UK Open title this weekend.
As a member of the top 32 on the PDC Order of Merit, Wade will enter in the fourth round on Friday.
