Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 Roundup - Evergreen James Wade ends 10-year Euro Tour drought as resurgence continues just weeks after maiden World Series title

James Wade completed another remarkable chapter in his resurgent 2026 season by beating Ross Smith 8-4 to win the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp, claiming his first European Tour title in more than a decade.

Just weeks after finally breaking his World Series duck, the evergreen Englishman added another long-awaited trophy to his collection with a controlled display in Sunday night's final. Wade averaged 95.50 to Smith's 94.82 and repeatedly found the important combination finishes as the match developed, eventually pulling clear from 4-3 to seal the title.

It is Wade's first European Tour triumph since the 2016 European Darts Matchplay and the third of his career, extending a remarkable late-career run that has now delivered significant titles on two different PDC circuits in the space of a matter of weeks.

Smith had to survive two deciding legs to keep his bid for a third European Tour title of 2026 alive. He first edged Ryan Joyce 6-5 in the quarter-finals, recovering from a run of breaks and then missing three match darts across the ninth and tenth legs before finally cleaning up 60 in the decider.

His semi-final against Gian van Veen was even tighter. Van Veen twice moved two legs clear and led 6-5, but Smith broke back after missed chances from the Dutchman and then forced another decider. Both players had opportunities to finish it, before Van Veen missed twice at double 14 and Smith eventually pinned double two to seal a 7-6 win.

Wade's route was far more clinical. The Machine whitewashed Danny Noppert 6-0 in the quarter-finals with a 99.10 average, punishing missed chances and producing finishes of 110, 98 and 68 along the way.

Damon Heta then provided a sterner semi-final test, but Wade repeatedly found the bigger combination finishes. Checkouts of 124 and 156 helped him establish control before a 117 finish restored a two-leg cushion after Heta had threatened to close the gap. Wade eventually sealed a 7-4 victory with a 13-darter.

Wade made the first move in the final, punishing a missed dart at double 16 from Smith by taking out 76 on double eight to break immediately.

Smith responded with a 14-darter to level and then moved 2-1 ahead despite requiring 21 darts to hold, but Wade quickly raised his level. A 180 helped set up an 80 checkout on double 10 for a 14-darter before another maximum followed in the fifth leg.

Smith then missed one dart at double 16 and Wade punished again, finding double 20 with his final dart in hand to regain the break at 3-2.

A 17-dart hold moved Wade two clear for the first time, although Smith produced the biggest finish of the final to keep himself firmly in contention. A superb 150 checkout on double 15 reduced the deficit to 4-3. That proved to be as close as Smith would get.

Wade responded with one of the decisive finishes of the match, taking out 86 on double 16 before Smith could return for 32. He then followed it with another clinical two-dart kill, cleaning up 80 on double 10 despite Smith sitting on 42 after a 180.

Double 10 again moved Wade to within one of the title at 7-3. Smith delayed the celebrations with a 123 checkout on the bullseye, but there was no dramatic comeback.

Both men opened the 12th leg with maximums and reached 81 after nine darts. Wade missed the bullseye for the title at the first attempt, only for Smith to bust his own shot at 81. Given another opportunity, Wade cleaned up the remaining 25 on double 10 to complete an 8-4 victory and secure his first European Tour crown in more than ten years.

After waiting until 2026 to win his first World Series title, Wade has now ended another lengthy drought only weeks later with European Tour success in Antwerp.