Wade ends 10-year Euro Tour drought with Flanders Darts Trophy win

James Wade ended a 10-year barren spell on the European Tour by lifting the 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy on Sunday night.

The Machine, who was a 16/1 chance for glory before a dart was thrown, beat Ross Smith 8-4 in the final in Antwerp to land a richly-deserved title and only the third European Tour crown of his illustrious career.

It was Wade's first success on the continental circuit since winning the European Darts Matchplay back in 2016 and continues what has developed into an encouraging renaissance for the veteran.

And with the 2027 PDC World Championship now less than three months away, Wade's resurgence will surely tempt some punters into taking the 100/1 available about him finally lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy this winter.

Wade rolls back the years in Antwerp

Wade rarely looked in serious trouble throughout the Flanders Darts Trophy and produced his best darts when it mattered during a superb finals day.

After edging past former world champion Rob Cross 6-5 in the last 16 on Sunday afternoon, Wade admitted he finds the four games in a European Tour finals day ‘hard work’ – though there was no sign of that throughout an impressive evening of performances.

First he demolished Danny Noppert 6-0 in the quarter-finals, before seeing off Damon Heta 7-4 in the semis. That set up an all-English showdown with the in-form Smith and Wade once again delivered, securing an 8-4 victory to end his decade-long wait for another European Tour title.

It is another significant result in what has been an excellent 2026 for The Machine.

Wade has also enjoyed strong performances in the year's biggest tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals of both the World Masters and World Matchplay while finishing runner-up at the UK Open for the second successive season.

Now 43, there is little evidence that one of the most decorated players of his generation is ready to disappear from darts' top table just yet.

The obvious omission from Wade's remarkable CV remains the PDC World Championship. He is widely regarded as the greatest player never to have lifted darts' biggest prize and, with his game seemingly in excellent shape, his latest victory is likely to encourage a few bettors to take a chance at a huge price.

Wade is currently available at a best price of 100/1 to win the 2027 PDC World Championship (PricedUp), and his recent showings make that an increasingly interesting proposition for value hunters.

Ross Smith continues season of his life

There was no third European Tour title of 2026 for Ross Smith on Sunday night, but defeat in Antwerp should do little to dampen enthusiasm around the 37-year-old.

Smudger is enjoying arguably the finest season of his career.

Smith landed his first European Tour title of the campaign at the International Darts Open in May before striking again at last month's Hungarian Darts Trophy.

Add victories at Players Championship 5 and Players Championship 20 and Smith has now established himself as one of the most prolific winners on the PDC circuit this year.

Alexandra Palace has been a much less happy hunting ground for the Kent native, however.

In nine previous tilts at the PDC World Championship, Smith's best efforts have been three runs to the third round between 2022 and 2024.

Last year proved particularly disappointing as he became one of the biggest names to fall at the opening hurdle, suffering a shock 3-2 defeat to Sweden's Andreas Harrysson.

Something about Smith seems to have changed now, though. He is playing the best darts of his career and another run to a European Tour final only strengthens the argument that he could be a dangerous outsider when the sport returns to Ally Pally for its showpiece this winter.

At 125/1 with Sky Bet for the 2027 PDC World Championship, Smudger is another triple-figure dark horse who may attract the attention of value hunters.

Latest 2027 PDC World Championship betting – Littler remains red-hot favourite

For all the encouraging signs surrounding Wade and Smith, the outright World Championship market remains dominated by one man.

Luke Littler remains the odds-on favourite to win a third consecutive PDC World Championship, with the Nuke a best-priced 8/11 with Priced Up and Star Sports to retain his crown this winter.

Given Littler's extraordinary domination of the sport's biggest events over the last 18 months, it is hardly surprising to see bookmakers taking few chances.

Luke Humphries remains his nearest challenger and is generally available at 11/2, with the market clearly identifying the former world number one as Littler's most likely threat.

There is then a sizeable jump to the chasing pack.

Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price can be backed at 14/1, while Wessel Nijman is a 20/1 chance and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen is 22/1. Gary Anderson leads the remainder at 33/1 and bigger.

It is difficult to look at Littler's recent major domination and confidently predict anything other than a three-peat for the sport’s talisman.

But the World Championship rarely passes without a few shocks along the way and, for punters wanting some big-priced cover should the favourite come unstuck, two of the most in-form players on the circuit being priced at three-figure quotes may be worth taking now and getting on side ahead of the festive darts bonanza.