‘I can’t believe that’ – James Wade breaks etiquette in Luke Littler clash leaving darts fans fuming
James Wade has sparked outrage among darts fans by breaking etiquette during his clash with Luke Littler, leading to widespread frustration within the sport’s community. The incident occurred during the World Matchplay final on July 27, 2025, at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, where Littler defeated Wade 18-13 to claim the £200,000 prize and become the youngest-ever champion. Reports suggest Wade’s behavior, including an apparent frustration with a heckling fan in the VIP section and a slow walk to retrieve darts, prompted Littler to intervene, informing referee Huw Ware of the disruption. This led to a break where the issue was addressed, with Littler later noting he told Wade he could hear the noise, and they discussed it to resolve the matter.
The pivotal moment came when Wade, after congratulating Littler post-match with a “Well played, brilliant tournament and well done to you,” was seen walking off stage as Littler received the Phil Taylor Trophy, a departure from the expected post-final protocol of shared celebration. Fans interpreted this as a breach of etiquette, with sentiments found on platforms like X describing it as “disrespectful” and “poor sportsmanship,” with one user exclaiming, “I can’t believe that,” capturing the collective disbelief. Wade’s earlier on-stage comment about looking forward to downtime after the loss further fueled perceptions of a lack of graciousness, especially given Littler’s acknowledgment of Wade’s improvement since their UK Open clash.
Wade later addressed the criticism on social media, thanking supporters and praising Littler’s success, suggesting his exit was to let the young champion bask in the moment. However, this explanation has done little to quell the fuming fanbase, who feel the veteran’s actions—combined with past comments labeling players like Littler “lazy”—undermined the spirit of the sport. As of 06:52 AM WAT on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the incident continues to dominate darts discussions, with fans divided between admiration for Littler’s Triple Crown achievement and disappointment in Wade’s conduct, highlighting a tension between tradition and modern rivalry.
