James Wade, “The Machine,” has kicked off the 2026 PDC Pro Tour season with a bang, winning Players Championship 1 in a thrilling final against Nathan Aspinall. The tournament saw surprising early exits for top players like Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright, strong performances from Michael van Gerwen reaching the semi-finals, and a spectacular 9-darter from Mickey Mansell. Wade’s hard-fought victory marks a powerful start to his year, overcoming a challenging path to lift the trophy.
The 2026 PDC Pro Tour season exploded into action in Hildesheim, Germany, where 128 players converged on Monday morning for Players Championship 1. This event marked a significant moment for many, with several new faces making their PDC debut, while seasoned veterans like Mervyn King and Jeffrey de Zwaan returned to the oche.
Early Shocks and Surprising Exits
For some, the tournament ended almost as quickly as it began. Both Mervyn King and Jeffrey de Zwaan were eliminated in their very first matches. Even more startling were the early departures of darts giants:
- Peter Wright faced a dismal outing, managing an average of just 77.62 against Mensur Suljovic, fueling concerns about his recent form.
- Raymond van Barneveld suffered a 6-2 defeat to Tom Sykes, showing little resistance.
- Perhaps the most concerning performance came from Martin Schindler, who was whitewashed 6-0 by Maik Kuivenhoven, recording a shockingly low average of 65.57.
Standout Performances and Unexpected Runs
While some struggled, others shone brightly:
- Belgium’s Dimitri van den Bergh had a positive day, recording an impressive average of 102.83 in his first-round win against Niels Zonneveld, before bowing out in the next round.
- Northern Ireland’s Mickey Mansell thrilled the crowd by hitting a nine-dart finish, though his run ended in the last 32.
- Several players made unexpected deep runs, including Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont, Shane McGuirk, Beau Greaves (who defeated Jimmy van Schie in round one), and Max Hopp, all reaching the last 16.
- Tournament top seed Gerwyn Price was another high-profile casualty, losing 6-5 to Connor Scutt in the last 64.
Dutch Hopes and Van Gerwen’s Resilience
The Dutch contingent also had their moments:
- Wesley Plaisier, a surprise package from the last World Championship, started strong with a 107.36 average in round one, going on to beat Cameron Menzies and Dave Chisnall before falling to Gabriel Clemens in the last 16.
- Wessel Nijman reached the quarter-finals, where he lost to the returning Adam Gawlas (6-4).
- Michael van Gerwen, now the Dutch number two, showed immense resilience. He faced a tough start, coming back from a 5-1 deficit against debutant Matthias Ehlers. With two averages over 102, he recovered strongly to reach the semi-finals, where his journey was halted by James Wade. Despite the loss, his strong comeback and deep run mark a satisfying start to the season.
Wade’s Path to Glory and Aspinall’s Challenge
James Wade’s path to the final was not without its challenges, requiring nerves of steel in his initial matches:
- He secured tight 6-5 victories against Karel Sedlacek and Alexander Merkx in his first two games.
- Further wins against Joe Cullen and Michael van Gerwen propelled “The Machine” into the final.
Nathan Aspinall, “The Asp,” also navigated a tricky route:
- He narrowly escaped defeat against Madars Razma, winning 6-5.
- Aspinall then seemed to find his rhythm, making a relatively comfortable run to the championship match.
The Thrilling Final: Wade vs. Aspinall
The climax of Players Championship 1 was a captivating showdown between James Wade and Nathan Aspinall. Aspinall initially seized control, building a 5-3 lead. However, Wade, known for his relentless pressure, staged a remarkable comeback. From the subsequent six legs, Aspinall could only secure one. Wade showed his class with crucial legs in 11, 11, and 15 darts, ultimately sealing the title with a 16-darter. This hard-fought victory provided swift redemption for Wade, especially after missing out on a spot in the Premier League. It’s a statement win that sets the tone for his 2026 campaign.
Tournament Highlights: Knockout Rounds
Quarter-Final Results:
- Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Jack Tweddell
- James Wade 6-5 Joe Cullen
- Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Gabriel Clemens
- Adam Gawlas 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Semi-Final Results:
- James Wade 7-6 Michael van Gerwen
- Nathan Aspinall 7-4 Adam Gawlas
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
