"Postpone it. Postpone events like this": James Wade hits out at organisers over extreme heat at European Darts Open

PDC
Sunday, 12 July 2026 at 11:54
James Wade (2)
James Wade reached the third round of the European Darts Open, but the Englishman took little satisfaction from his 6-4 victory over Maik Kuivenhoven. Immediately after the match, The Machine turned his attention to the tournament organisers, claiming they are not doing enough to protect player welfare during the extreme heat in Leverkusen.
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Wade had to dig deep to overcome Kuivenhoven and admitted afterwards that the conditions on stage played a major role. According to the former major champion, players should never be forced to compete in such high temperatures.
"I think it gets to a point where the organisation needs to respect the dart players a little bit and moving forwards, you shouldn't have to play in heat like that," he said to Oche180. "You shouldn't have to play in heat like that."

"It's not complicated"

For Wade, however, the solution is crystal clear. The Englishman believes the issue is being made more complicated than it needs to be and insists there is a simple answer.
"It's not complicated, is it? It's not complicated. I mean, you're making it sound like it's quite a complex situation.
He then stressed that the players are the ones who entertain the crowds time and time again, and therefore deserve better conditions.
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"There's dart players that entertain the nation. Not me, but some of the top boys. They entertain the whole nation throughout countless times and then they're expected to go up there and play in conditions like that."
When asked what he considered the obvious solution, Wade did not hesitate. "That's not fair. It isn't fair. It isn't fair and it isn't right, I don't think. So what is the simple solution? Postpone it. Postpone events like this."
James Wade pensive.
James Wade looks on.

Also looking ahead to the World Matchplay

Following his victory, the conversation briefly turned to the World Matchplay, which gets underway in Blackpool next week. The Winter Gardens is also known for becoming very warm during tournaments, but Wade pointed out that the weather forecast there is currently very different from the one in Leverkusen.
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"Well, the forecast is completely different. We'll see what happens there moving forwards. Every dart player is aware of the heat here and it seems like people around the tournament haven't acknowledged what it is. I don't think players should have to play in temperatures like that. I don't think they should."
"All the time dart players are doing as they're told, nothing will happen.
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