Darts Apr 02, 2026

Players Championship: Ryan Searle seals eighth PDC ranking title while James Wade becomes first player to reach 1000 wins

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Players Championship: Ryan Searle seals eighth PDC ranking title while James Wade becomes first player to reach 1000 wins

Ryan Searle claimed his eighth PDC ranking title thanks to an 8-3 win over Alan Soutar in the Players Championship Seven final.

Searle averaged 95.65 in the final to take the top prize, as he won a Players Championship title for the seventh year in a row.

He began the day firing a 104 average to dispatch of Raymond van Barneveld before ending youngster Charlie Manby's run with a 6-3 win.

A 7-3 win over Gary Anderson in the semi-finals saw Searle set up a final meeting with Soutar, where he dominated to take the title.

"I played really solid today," Searle told the PDC. "Average-wise my best was against Raymond, and feeling-wise it felt like the worst which was a little bit odd.

"February and March time is normally my time of year when I win things, and if I can win one or two more to break new ground this year, I will do that.

"I've had a bit more attention this year so far," continued Searle, who enjoyed an excellent run to the 2025/26 World Championship semi-finals.

"It's been really good. I've been able to raise awareness for the Cure ADOA Foundation, but motivation wise, I haven't been practising.

"I would like to win a European Tour, that would be the next goal for me; to prove that I can win something on the big stage would be good."

Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting and Michael van Gerwen were among the big names in action in Leicester, however all three failed to advance beyond the fourth round.

Meanwhile James Wade made history as the first player to win 1000 matches in Players Championship events after his 6-1 victory over Lukas Wenig in the first round.

Despite the monumental achievement, Wade's night was ended by Spain's Cristo Reyes, who claimed a shock 6-2 win over the Englishman.

"Well that wasn't the ending I wanted today but on a more positive note this did happen," Wade posted on X.

"After winning my first game today I became the first and only player to win 1000 matches in the Players Championships Events.

"What an achievement and I feel really proud of that!"

Tags:

darts news

Share this article

Related Posts

Luke Humphries: I don't care about 'aura' - I play darts to win money and provide for my family

Luke Humphries: I don't care about 'aura' - I play darts to win money and provide for my family

Luke Humphries has hit back at comments on social media that he lacks "stage aura" and that he is "giving in" to world No 1 Luke Littler. Humphries cl...

Luke Humphries wins Belgian Darts Open as Luke Littler's hopes of Wieze hat-trick ends in shock defeat

Luke Humphries wins Belgian Darts Open as Luke Littler's hopes of Wieze hat-trick ends in shock defeat

Luke Humphries silenced the critics as he defeated Jonny Clayton 8-6 to claim his first stage title since September as Luke Littler's 12-match winning...

Premier League darts 2026: Fixtures, results and table as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen and more feature

Premier League darts 2026: Fixtures, results and table as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen and more feature

The latest fixtures and results from the 2026 Premier League Darts, where world No 1 Luke Littler and defending champion Luke Humphries are among thos...

Players Championship: Ryan Searle seals eighth PDC ranking title while James Wade becomes first player to reach 1000 wins

Players Championship: Ryan Searle seals eighth PDC ranking title while James Wade becomes first player to reach 1000 wins

Ryan Searle claimed his eighth PDC ranking title thanks to an 8-3 win over Alan Soutar in the Players Championship Seven final.Searle averaged 95.65 i...

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler moves top and sends warning to rivals after 'best night performance' and Berlin win

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler moves top and sends warning to rivals after 'best night performance' and Berlin win

Luke Littler issued a "catch me" warning to his Premier League title rivals after moving top of the table by claiming his third nightly victory of the...

Darts 2026 schedule and dates: Premier League Darts, World Matchplay and more with Luke Littler in action

Darts 2026 schedule and dates: Premier League Darts, World Matchplay and more with Luke Littler in action

A closer look at the latest results and schedule from the 2026 PDC darts season, where Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen all chase more s...