The PDC World Darts Championship is a beloved festive tradition for millions of fans, but one of the sport's biggest stars has delivered a stark verdict on its Christmas scheduling, claiming it 'ruins' the holiday for the players involved.
'A S*** Time To Have It': Wade's Festive Frustration
Four-time semi-finalist James Wade, known as 'The Machine', has openly criticised the tournament's placement over the festive period. The 42-year-old, who has competed at Alexandra Palace 13 times, described it as a 's*** time' to stage the sport's premier event.
Speaking to Sky Sports in December 2024, Wade explained the personal toll. 'I don't want to be playing darts at Christmas. I want to be at home,' he stated. 'Yeah, it kind of ruins Christmas. You're robbed of Christmas.' His frustration stems from the need to put family plans on hold, especially now he has young children whose excitement he wants to share.
While no matches are played on December 25th, the schedule forces players in the draw to travel to and from London around the holiday. The second round concludes on December 23rd, with the third round beginning on December 27th.
The Business Sense Versus Personal Sacrifice
Wade, however, is not blind to the commercial logic. He acknowledged that the festive slot is a 'great business model' which captures a huge television audience. 'It's obvious why we have it because Christmas is a great time to capture an audience... it works really well,' he conceded.
His critique is firmly aimed at the impact on competitors. 'It's not so great for people that have to work around it,' he summarised. This year, Wade's opinion was underscored by his own early exit; he was eliminated in the second round by Ricky Evans, marking his fourth consecutive last-64 departure and, ironically, freeing up his Christmas.
Tournament Drama Unfolds at Ally Pally
Amid the scheduling debate, the 2025 championship has already produced major headlines. Reigning champion and teenage sensation Luke Littler has sailed into the third round with a straight-sets win over David Davies. The 18-year-old is targeting back-to-back titles, stating: 'Back-to-back is the only thing I want.'
In a stunning upset, former champion Gerwyn Price crashed out, comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Dutchman Wesley Plaisier. An elated Plaisier called it his 'biggest victory ever.' Littler now faces Mensur Suljovic, while Plaisier takes on Krzysztof Ratajski.
Wade's candid comments highlight the often-overlooked human side of major sporting events, posing a question about the balance between spectacle and the personal lives of the athletes who create it.
