“The bottom line is, the PDC pick the Premier League, and we have to go with it” – Alan Warriner-Little sympathises with controversial James Wade Premier League Darts snub

The announcement of the participants for the Premier League Darts 2026 sparks debate every year. This year was no different. In an extensive conversation with Online Darts, Alan Warriner-Little, former player and now an executive within the PDPA, offered insight into the considerations, tensions, and recurring dilemmas surrounding the PDC’s flagship event.

"When you look at the calendar you think, 'Wow, I wouldn’t like to organise that every year,'” said Warriner-Little. “The PDC schedule is difficult — it’s absolutely mental — and I understand that.” Yet he emphasises that criticism and alternatives are discussed constantly. “From our perspective, we’ve got a duty of care to our members, and we’ve got to make sure we portray that to the PDC. We discuss things all the time — probably on a daily basis."

According to Warriner-Little, fans often misunderstand how decisions are made. “I had a Zoom call this morning about various issues. Just because something isn’t on social media doesn’t mean we’re not talking about it or dealing with it. That’s just how we work. When something is relevant, the PDC will announce it at the appropriate time."

The question of whether the PDC 'got it right' with the Premier League selection is, according to Warriner-Little, almost impossible to answer unequivocally. “They don’t often get it wrong, to be fair,” he says with a smile. “I always have an opinion, though — every year.”

He points to PDC chief Matt Porter, who he says can gauge reactions well by now. Matt Porter always kind of smiles at the end when he’s announcing the picks, saying, tongue in cheek, 'People will love this,' knowing full well they won’t all agree. It’s always going to divide opinion."

A key sticking point remains the balance between the World Championship and the rest of the season. "People forget that the season starts in January — the World Masters was the first event — and then you’ve got all the events throughout the year."

That brings him to James Wade. "He's had a terrific season but didn’t have a great World Championship. He’s a terrific player and definitely had a shout." The same applied, he says, to Danny Noppert. "A lovely player and a lovely bloke — was in the mix. Would I have picked him? Possibly. But again, he didn’t have a great World Championship."

Although Warriner-Little stresses he’s not making a value judgment, he acknowledges the reality. "It’s almost like you’re on the verge because you’ve had a good season, then the Worlds come along and suddenly everything is about that one tournament. I’m not saying that’s right, by the way — we all know it shouldn’t be — but that’s how it feels."

On the other hand, there’s someone like Nathan Aspinall. “Maybe didn’t have his best season, but he’s a Premier League player to me. The way he plays, his fan base — all those things matter."

That, according to Warriner-Little, strikes at the heart of the debate. “You’ve got to remember, don’t look at the Premier League as just a tournament. Look at it as a flagship event for the PDC and for darts in general. It’s about showcasing the sport in big venues around the country with the top players and big names.”

Stephen Bunting also comes up. "He’ll know himself that he didn’t have a great Premier League last year until he eventually won one night. But again, it’s about fan base, walk-on, the whole package. It’s almost like a glorified exhibition, in a way — but with the very best players in the world, playing for great money, in massive venues of 10,000-plus, over four months."

The debate was further fueled by James Wade’s reaction on social media. The Englishman pointed out that he reached two ranking finals — “the second-biggest finals outside the Worlds” — and still missed out. “Absolutely. I get James’s argument,” said Warriner-Little. “He’s got experience of playing in the Premier League before, and some players who didn’t reach TV finals are in. I understand that frustration completely."

That raises the fundamental question: when does sport stop being sport? "It’s not just what you do on the board. And I understand the question: at what point does sport stop becoming sport? When players who arguably have done better in terms of results are left out because they don’t have the biggest walk-on or fan base?"

According to Warriner-Little, however, this is nothing new. Historically, it’s always been that way. No disrespect to anyone, but if you look back at players like Peter Manley or Wayne Mardle — great characters in the game — that’s what helped promote darts. It’s not a ranking event. It’s a flagship, invitational event: the top four and four more picks."

Warriner-Little himself wouldn’t want to make the call. "I wouldn’t like to pick it myself, because you’re going to get it wrong every time. My opinion will be different to yours and everyone else’s."

Still, he stands by James Wade. “I do think James Wade had a very good shout. Unfortunately — and I don’t know why — he sometimes goes under the radar. He’s a terrific player under pressure, in front of big crowds, and he’s got an unbelievable CV. People would die for that CV in this sport." The conclusion, however, is simple. "But the bottom line is, the PDC pick the Premier League, and we have to go with it. It’s their choice."