"They can't overlook him" - Gabriel Clemens backs James Wade for the Premier League

James Wade is currently one of the standout players of the 2026 darts season. Only a week ago, "The Machine" won on the European Tour in Antwerp.

The Englishman also reached the UK Open final and made the quarterfinals at the World Masters, World Matchplay, and World Series Finals. Gabriel Clemens has tracked Wade's rise up close on tour throughout the year and is convinced: there's no getting around James Wade for next season's Premier League.

"He's playing better than ever" Every week, world number 48 Gabriel Clemens, two-time World Championship participant Robert Marijanovic, and Bundesliga player Marcel Althaus discuss the latest PDC action on their podcast Darts auf die 1. The latest episode focused on James Wade's recent successes.

Just days before recording, he had claimed his first European Tour title in ten years, further underlining his strong form this season. The podcast sparked a debate about the likelihood of a Premier League nomination for the 43-year-old.

For Gabriel Clemens, it's a formality that Wade will be invited in 2027. "I said it two weeks ago and I believe (.

" His podcast partner Marcel Althaus agrees, even seeing a direct qualification as possible. "If he gets into the top four, then it's a lock anyway.

But we also need to talk about what an insane season he's putting together. " Wade currently sits sixth on the Order of Merit, about £60,000 behind fourth-placed Gerwyn Price.

The world's top four qualify automatically for the Premier League and do not have to wait for one of the four invitations. Robert Marijanovic is particularly impressed by Wade's evolution: "He might even be in his prime right now.

Looking at the numbers, I'm pretty sure, because in my memory James Wade never strung together so many good averages. " He also sees Wade's ability to strike in key moments as even stronger: "That timing-his timing was brutal anyway-but now he's just marching through.

" After a strong year, James Wade has every reason to hope for a Premier League nomination. "There's that average range that James Wade always beats" Althaus illustrates Marijanovic's point with a vivid example.

"How crazy is it that before the match you know: 'If I average 95 and James Wade averages 95, I lose. And that's really how it is.

There's that average range that James Wade always beats. " The trio see a clear development in Wade's game.

His scoring is excellent, and it feels like he's hitting a lot more 180s this year," says the German Giant. Althaus adds that Wade has also become more entertaining to watch.

"That matters for Sky too: Who do we invite, how do we approach it if a player is a bit slower. But if Wade is scoring like this, he's much more appealing for the TV cameras again.

" Co-favorite at the World Grand Prix Those TV cameras will be back on the Englishman from 29.09.2026. On Monday, James Wade opens his World Grand Prix campaign against Joe Cullen.

Germany's number four even gives him title chances in Leicester. "You have to say: for the Grand Prix, the next big major, James Wade is a co-favorite.

Double-in, double-out suits him. He's incredibly strong on double 10 and double 20.

That's why I absolutely see him as a co-favorite there. Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.

com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage.

Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site. Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years.

Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar. In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.