In the rich history of the World Grand Prix, one of the most unique and prestigious tournaments on the PDC calendar, few players have managed to qualify for this tournament year after year. Where many come and go, James Wade has emerged as the epitome of consistency. With no fewer than 21 consecutive entries in the World Grand Prix, "The Machine" has set a new record - a feat that underscores his status as a true darts legend.
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Wade made his debut at the tournament in 2005 and has not missed an edition since. In a tournament known for its "double in, double out" format - a system that plays tricks on even the biggest names - his constant presence is a testament to skill, discipline and mental strength.
Moreover, his record series is still active, meaning he raises the bar a little higher with each new edition. Wade already managed to win the World Grand Prix twice (2007 and 2010) and was also a losing finalist once.
Behind Wade, we obviously find some of the biggest names the sport has ever known. Phil Taylor, 16-time world champion and a five-time World Grand Prix winner himself, notched up 19 consecutive appearances before ending his career in 2018. His dominance in the 2000s for years made him the man everyone wanted to beat in Dublin.
Behind them follow Kevin Painter, Ronnie Baxter and Mervyn King, who each competed in 15 editions in a row, an impressive run at a time when competition in the PDC was exploding. Colin Lloyd, Adrian Lewis, Dave Chisnall and Michael van Gerwen reached the mark of 14 consecutive participations. Van Gerwen's run, like Wade's, is still active, and the Dutchman seems determined to write his name further into the history books.
Michael van Gerwen is currently in fourth place of most consecutive participations in the World Grand Prix
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Finally, Dennis Priestley and Raymond van Barneveld, two icons of modern darts, should not go unmentioned with 13 consecutive participations each. Especially van Barneveld, who in his heyday was a fixture in the late rounds, has contributed to the international success and popularity of the tournament. By the way, van Barneveld will be there again this year at the World Grand Prix
That James Wade is at the top of this prestigious list with 21 participations is more than just a statistic. It is evidence of exceptional consistency. While his record is still running, the question remains: how long can 'The Machine' sustain this impressive run?
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
Most consecutive run of World Grand Prix appearances
21 - James Wade*
19 - Phil Taylor
15 - Kevin Painter, Ronnie Baxter, Mervyn King
14 - Colin Lloyd, Adrian Lewis, Dave Chisnall, Michael van Gerwen*
13 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld
* denotes run is still active