JAMES WADE'S victory in the SkyBet World Grand Prix has assured him a debut in Premier League Darts next year.
The 24-year-old has risen to third in the PDC Order of Merit this year, and followed up July's Stan James World Matchplay victory by taking a second major title in Dublin on Sunday.
He is one of six players confirmed for the 2008 Premier League Darts following the World Grand Prix, with the remaining two places being awarded to wildcard invitations.
"I'm really looking forward to the 2008 Premier League Darts," he said. "It will be an honour to be involved in such a massive tournament and hopefully I can keep playing well."
Wade will join defending Premier League Darts champion Phil Taylor, World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, Terry Jenkins, Peter Manley and Adrian Lewis in the tournament.
Stoke youngster Lewis' run to the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix secured his place in the tournament for a second successive year following his debut campaign in 2007.
"I'm delighted," said Lewis. "I really enjoyed the Premier League this year and it's brilliant to be involved once more in 2008.
"Playing in front of thousands of fans every week is an incredible experience and I'm looking forward to starting again in January."
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: "I'd like to congratulate all six players on qualifying for the 2008 Premier League Darts.
"All six fully deserve their places and have been outstanding in the past two years.
"James Wade has shown to all players that if you have the talent and attitude you can reach the top and I'm sure he will star in the Premier League next year."
The final two wildcard places will be awarded in early January following the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
The 2008 Premier League Darts will begin on Thursday 31 January in Glasgow, with players facing each other twice over the 14 league nights at venues including the Wembley Arena, M.E.N. Arena, Sheffield Arena and Birmingham's NIA.
The top four players will then progress to the play-offs in Cardiff on Monday 26 May.
Tickets for the 2008 Premier League Darts will go on sale on Tuesday morning, with over 55,000 tickets available for the competition as a whole.
2008 Premier League Darts
| 31 January | Glasgow SECC | SOLD OUT |
| 7 February | Plymouth Pavilions | SOLD OUT |
| 14 February | M.E.N Arena, Manchester | 0844 847 8000 Online Sales |
| 21 February | Ricoh Arena, Coventry | 0844 412 1747 Online Sales |
| 28 February | BIC, Bournemouth | 0870 111 3000 Online Sales |
| 6 March | Nottingham Arena | 0870 121 0123 Online Sales |
| 13 March | Sheffield Arena | 0114 256 5656 Online Sales |
| 20 March | Brighton Centre | 0844 847 1515 Online Sales |
| 27 March | NIA, Birmingham | 0870 909 4144 Online Sales |
| 3 April | AECC, Aberdeen | SOLD OUT |
| 10 April | Liverpool Echo Arena | 0844 800 0400 Online Sales |
| 17 April | Wembley Arena | 0870 060 0870 Online Sales |
| 24 April | Odyssey Arena, Belfast | SOLD OUT |
| 1 May | Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle | 0870 707 8000 Online Sales |
| Play-Offs | ||
| 26 May | CIA, Cardiff | 02920 224488 Online Sales |
* PLEASE NOTE that all tickets may be subject to a booking fee and/or service charge.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE
The PDC reserves the right of admission.
Customers are respectfully requested to behave in an orderly manner at all times.
Drunkeness will not be tolerated & perpetrators will be asked to leave the premises. Please do not shout out whilst the players are throwing.
Session times are subject to change and the PDC will make every effort to give as much notice as possible should this be unavoidable. Please check with the Box Office or visit www.planetdarts.tv for any changes.
Ticket holders are requested to take their seats at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. The PDC reserves the right to fill any seat after this time.
The Broadcast may contain strobe lighting and smoke effects. Any person who may be adversely affected by such effects should take notice and take appropriate action.
No football colours will be allowed into the venue.
No tickets are to be re-sold at a greater price than the face value on the ticket. Any persons attempting to do so will have those tickets made void.
Any spectators are reminded that the writing of any message deemed offensive or inflammatory on 180 cards or similar will lead to perpetrators being asked to leave the premises.
Please note the use of flash photography is expressly barred as is any filming of the event for any purpose.
Mobile phones should be switched off by all customers when in the main auditorium.