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.

• Premier League darts: Schedule, table and results
• Darts in 2026: Key dates and tournament winners
• Got Sky? Watch darts and more on Sky Sports app
• Not got Sky? Get instant access contract-free on NOW

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.

Wade makes history

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!"