“I’m already at a disadvantage” – James Wade opens up on the edge Luke Littler holds heading into 2026

The veteran major winner opens up about the cost of his Christmas break while rivals competed in early-season tournaments

James Wade doesn’t sugarcoat the situation he’s facing as the 2026 darts season gets underway. After taking a complete three-week break over Christmas without picking up a dart, the 11-time major champion acknowledges he’s already playing catch-up to rivals who stayed sharp through the World Series events in the Middle East.

“I know I’m already at a disadvantage compared to players who competed in the World Series events held in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia,” Wade admitted in his latest Daily Star column, laying bare the reality of professional darts’ unforgiving calendar.

The Price of Rest

Wade’s honesty about his position reflects a deeper truth about modern professional darts. While he rested completely during the festive period, Luke Littler was claiming victory in Saudi Arabia, and Michael van Gerwen triumphed in Bahrain. Those players returned to competitive action just days after the World Championship concluded at Alexandra Palace.

“Christmas break has officially come to an end. After three weeks of complete rest during which I didn’t pick up a dart at all, I’m now focusing on making a swift start to the season,” Wade explained, setting the context for what follows.

For Wade, the gap isn’t about form or ability—it’s about match sharpness. “It’s simply the reality of the sport,” he continued. “Those who participate in these ‘invitational’ events gain crucial experience in high-pressure situations, especially with the added intensity of performing in front of TV cameras.”

More Than Just Littler

While the teenage sensation grabbed headlines with his Saudi Arabia victory, Wade’s analysis extends beyond just one player. He pointed to Van Gerwen’s Bahrain triumph as evidence that early television exposure creates momentum heading into the main tour events.

“His recent performances, including two finals at the World Series, indicate that he’ll be entering the event with a tremendous amount of confidence,” Wade wrote of the three-time world champion.

The implication is clear: the advantage Wade describes isn’t personal—it’s structural. The 2026 calendar rewards those who competed immediately after the World Championship, giving them competitive rhythm while others reset away from the oche.

A Rivalry That Runs Deep

Wade’s relationship with Littler adds extra intrigue to his comments. The veteran remains one of the few players capable of consistently disrupting the teenager’s momentum on television. Wade defeated Littler at the 2024 UK Open and again at the 2025 European Championship—the latter proving to be Littler’s final televised defeat of the year.

But Littler has delivered his own responses. He beat Wade in the finals of both the 2025 UK Open and World Matchplay, establishing a competitive dynamic between the established major winner and the sport’s brightest young star.

Missing the Premier League

Wade’s comments come against the backdrop of his controversial omission from the 2026 Premier League Darts lineup. Despite reaching two major finals in 2025—both losses to Littler—Wade was overlooked when the PDC announced its eight-player field earlier this month.

The snub clearly stung. “Hard work pays off… really?” Wade wrote on social media after the announcement. “Disappointed, but proud of the work I put in this year chasing one goal: getting back to the Premier League.”

Former PDC tour card holder Paul Nicholson criticized Wade’s response, calling him a “serial runner-up” in 2025 and suggesting he hadn’t done enough to earn selection. The debate highlighted the brutal reality of elite darts: finals don’t count for as much as victories.

No Retreat, Just Realism

Despite conceding early-season ground, Wade made clear his competitive fire hasn’t dimmed. He’s targeting the upcoming Winmau World Masters with serious intent.

“While exhibitions can be enjoyable and often serve as a light-hearted diversion, I’m approaching one particular event with serious intent,” Wade stated. “I’m determined to win this tournament.”

The message isn’t one of retreat—it’s calculated realism from a player who has navigated the professional circuit for two decades. Wade understands that while others arrive sharper, the conditions that matter most—longer formats, mounting pressure, and sustained television exposure—are environments where his experience counts.

The Bigger Picture

Wade’s assessment reveals an uncomfortable truth about the modern darts calendar. Invitational events scheduled immediately after major championships create competitive advantages that compound as the season progresses. Players who compete stay sharp; those who rest fall behind.

It’s a situation that rewards availability and resilience over recovery and preparation. For a 42-year-old who has spent over 20 years competing at the highest level, the cost of rest might be higher than it appears.

Still, Wade has built his career on understanding margins. He’s survived and thrived in an era that has seen multiple generations of players come and go. If anyone knows how to close a gap that opens early, it’s “The Machine.”

As the 2026 season unfolds, Wade’s early admission of disadvantage might prove to be exactly the kind of honest self-assessment that fuels a resurgence. He knows where he stands. He knows what it takes. And he knows the season is long.

The question isn’t whether Wade can compete—his track record answers that. The question is whether the early advantage Littler and others have secured proves decisive, or whether Wade’s experience and determination can overcome the structural reality he’s so candidly acknowledged.

One thing is certain: James Wade isn’t making excuses. He’s making observations. And in professional darts, that kind of clarity can be just as valuable as an early tournament win.