James Wade ends ten-year wait for European Tour glory at the Flanders Darts Trophy

James Wade ended a decade-long wait for a third European Tour title at the 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp with an 8-4 win over Ross Smith in the final.

Having opened his account at the 2014 Gibraltar Trophy, Wade had been without European Tour silverware since claiming the European Darts Matchplay title back in 2016.

However, the evergreen left-hander finally ended the drought at the Antwerp Expo as he picked up the £35,000 top prize.

Making his return to competitive action for the first time since picking up the Australian Darts Masters title last month, Wade set his stall out with a 6-2 victory over Canada’s Jim Long on Saturday.

The 43-year-old then edged out Rob Cross in a last-leg decider with a 101.6 average on Sunday afternoon, before emphatically whitewashing Danny Noppert in six straight legs to reach the semi-finals.

There, he overcame Damon Heta 7-4 with the aid of three ton-plus checkouts to move into a first European Tour final since 2018.

Wade reeled off three consecutive legs from 2-1 down to open up a 4-2 lead over Smith – who hit back superbly with a 150 checkout in leg seven.

Wade, however, took control of the contest thereafter, clinching four of the next five legs to return to the winner’s circle in Belgium.

“It’s quite easy playing Smudger in the final!” joked Wade.

“I’ve watched Ross since he was a young man, If his mum was about right now she would be so proud of him.

“She always used to tell me how great he would be, he’s gone well and beyond what his mum thought he would ever be.

“He should take a bow, because it’s a privilege to share the stage with a man like him.

“I’ve had my small moments on the European Tour, so I’m really happy to win this one.

“Thankfully there’s not many players out there like him, I’ve done enough today, might be another ten years before I win another!”

Smith had enjoyed a fine run to his fourth European Tour final of the year, opening up with a 100.2 average in a 6-2 success against Jeffrey De Graaf.

He then edged out Gerwyn Price in a last-leg shootout before holding his nerve in another decider to deny Ryan Joyce in the quarter-finals.

The pattern continued as Smith battled back from 5-3 down and survived two match darts to see off Gian van Veen 7-6 in a nail-biting semi-final.

“I wasn’t at my best today, in the final was probably the best I’ve played all day,” admitted Smith.

“I’ve rode my luck today and the players have let me off, but Wadey doesn’t let you off, and I admire him.

“He’s absolutely class, he’s a grafter, it’s James Wade, he 100% deserved that win.”

Van Veen’s run to the semi-finals began with a commanding 6-3 victory over Gabriel Clemens, before coming through a last-leg decider against compatriot Kevin Doets to make the Last Eight – where he dispatched Chris Dobey 6-3.

Heta, meanwhile, came through two last-leg deciders against Beau Greaves and Michael van Gerwen in his opening two matches before beating Luke Woodhouse and Nathan Aspinall to make his way into the semi-finals.

Earlier in the day, Joyce fended off a resilient Jermaine Wattimena in the Last 16, narrowly defeating the Dutchman 6-5, while Noppert saw off fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman at the same stage.

Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 Day Three Results

Sunday September 13

Afternoon Session

Last 16
Gian van Veen 6-5 Kevin Doets
Ryan Searle 5-6 Chris Dobey
Ryan Joyce 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Gerwyn Price 5-6 Ross Smith
James Wade 6-5 Rob Cross
Danny Noppert 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Damon Heta 6-3 Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting 4-6 Nathan Aspinall

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Gian van Veen 6-3 Chris Dobey
Ross Smith 6-5 Ryan Joyce
James Wade 6-0 Danny Noppert
Damon Heta 6-5 Nathan Aspinall

Semi-Finals
Ross Smith 7-6 Gian van Veen
James Wade 7-4 Damon Heta

Final
James Wade 8-4 Ross Smith