James Wade picked up his first PDC title of the year on Monday, after defeating Nathan Aspinall 8-6 in the final of Players Championship One, as the 2026 PDC Pro Tour season commenced at Halle 39, Hildesheim.
Wade, who picked up his first title in over two and a half years last June, reached the final of Event One firstly by recording victories against Karel Sedlacek, Alexander Merkx, Jeffrey De Graaf, Mensur Suljovic, Joe Cullen and Michael Van Gerwen, to set up a clash with Aspinall.
The final began with three straight holds of throw before the first break came from Aspinall in Leg Four with a 14 darter to move 3-1 ahead in a race to eight. Wade then hit back by winning back-to-back legs in a total of 30 darts to square the tie up at 3apiece before Aspinall won back-to-back legs of his own to move 5-3 ahead and within three of victory.
Wade then took control of the tie by rattling off four successive legs, which saw ‘The Machine’ move 7-5 ahead and within one of victory. Aspinall did pull one leg back before the Aldershot star sealed the victory in Leg 14 with a 16 darter to pick up a 20th career Players Championship title as well as collecting the £15,000 top prize.
Aspinall’s run to the final saw the Stockport man record victories on the day against Arno Merk, Madars Razma, Joe Hunt, Beau Greaves, Gabriel Clemens and Adam Gawlas, before being denied by Wade.
Elsewhere, there were Quarter Final runs for 2x Players Championship title winner in 2025 Wessel Nijman and recent Challenge Tour Event Winner Jack Tweddell, whilst the likes of Premier League stars in Gian Van Veen and Gerwyn Price both suffered exits in Round Two.
The PDC Pro Tour double header concludes on Tuesday with Players Championship Two taking place in Hildesheim, with the 128 players returning to compete for a further £150,000 in prize money, with play beginning at 13:00 CET (12:00 UK Time).
Play will be broadcasted across four streaming boards on PDC.TV and various bookmaker websites worldwide, with all live scores and results on tv.dartconnect.com.
Players Championship One
Last 16
Michael Van Gerwen 6-3 Shane McGuirk
Jack Tweddell 6-4 Stefan Bellmont
James Wade 6-3 Mensur Suljovic
Joe Cullen 6-3 Max Hopp
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Beau Greaves
Gabriel Clemens 6-2 Wesley Plaisier
Wessel Nijman 6-4 William O’Connor
Adam Gawlas 6-5 Callan Rydz
Quarter Finals
Michael Van Gerwen 6-3 Jack Tweddell
James Wade 6-5 Joe Cullen
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Gabriel Clemens
Adam Gawlas 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Semi Finals
James Wade 7-6 Michael Van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 7-4 Adam Gawlas
Final
James Wade 8-6 Nathan Aspinall
——ENDS—–
Images:
