Gabriel Clemens has thrown his weight behind James Wade for a Premier League spot, insisting the PDC has no choice but to invite 'The Machine' after a standout 2026 season. Wade, 43, has been in scintillating form, winning on the European Tour in Antwerp just a week ago, reaching the UK Open final, and making the quarterfinals at the World Masters, World Matchplay, and World Series Finals.
Speaking on the podcast Darts auf die 1, where he appears alongside two-time World Championship participant Robert Marijanovic and Bundesliga player Marcel Althaus, Clemens didn't mince words. "I said it two weeks ago and I believe (..) they can't overlook him. Honestly," said the world number 48. The discussion was sparked by Wade's first European Tour title in ten years, which he claimed just days before the episode was recorded.
Althaus went even further, suggesting Wade could qualify automatically. "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. He's playing better than ever," he said. 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, while four others receive invitations.
Marijanovic was full of praise for 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 said. "That timing—his timing was brutal anyway—but now he's just marching through. It's heavy stuff." Althaus added a vivid illustration: "How crazy is it that before the match you know: 'If I average 95 and James Wade averages 95, I lose.' That's insane. And that's really how it is. There's that average range that James Wade always beats."
Clemens noted a clear development in Wade's game: "These days he's often over 100. His scoring is excellent, and it feels like he's hitting a lot more 180s this year." Althaus believes Wade has also become more entertaining, which could sway Sky Sports. "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."
Looking ahead to the World Grand Prix, which starts on 29.09.2026, Clemens sees Wade as a serious contender. "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." Wade opens his campaign against Joe Cullen on Monday in Leicester.
