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Double PDC world champion Adrian 'Jackpot' Lewis returns to competitive action | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 5:01 GMT by Sporting News
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Adrian Lewis makes a dramatic return to competitive darts, the double‑world champion’s “jackpot” moment a reminder of his enduring flair

After a six‑month absence that left fans wondering whether the 46‑year‑old “Jackpot” would stay retired, double PDC world champion Adrian Lewis is back in the competitive mix, and he’s already making headlines. In a week that saw him drop a 10‑4 victory over fellow world champion Michael van Gerwen at the German Darts Masters and later hit a sensational 180‑count in the final leg of a Premier League match, Lewis has re‑established that he still possesses the explosive ability that once made him one of the game’s most feared competitors.

A brief hiatus and the “Jackpot” comeback

Lewis’ break began earlier this year when he announced he was taking time off after a wrist injury that limited him to just two Pro‑Tour events in the first quarter of 2024. “I’ve had to give it a break to get the proper rehab, and I’m ready to get back in the swing of things,” he told reporters during his return announcement. He cited a desire to “feel the rush again” and to test himself against the top tier of players in the upcoming Premier League and World Championship.

His return was first felt in the European tour, where Lewis faced the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship qualifier. In a 10‑4 win over Michael van Gerwen, the former world champion’s average swelled to 107.5, while his checkouts included a 161 finish that left van Gerwen stunned. The win was Lewis’ first victory in a televised PDC match since the 2023 World Series of Darts, and the headline‑grabber was a spectacular 180‑count that appeared as if he were back in his prime.

The Premier League “Jackpot” moment

Lewis’ “jackpot” moment truly crystallized during the current season’s Premier League. In a tightly contested 5‑4 win over James Wade, Lewis produced a flurry of high scoring darts, including a remarkable 170 checkout in the final leg that gave him the game‑winning leg and the match overall. The commentary team, in real time, noted that Lewis had “been sitting on a jackpot” during the match, a reference to his reputation for delivering explosive finishes when the stakes are highest.

Lewis was quoted after the match, “I’ve got this feeling that it’s time to bring the big guns. I’ve seen the crowd, felt the energy, and I know I can deliver when the pressure’s on.” His win was widely shared across social media platforms, with many calling it a sign that Lewis’ competitive edge remains sharp.

Legacy and future prospects

Adrian Lewis’s return is more than a personal comeback; it is a reminder of the legacy he built during his 18‑year career with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He captured back‑to‑back PDC World Championships in 2006 and 2007, before securing titles in the World Matchplay (2013), World Grand Prix (2010), and Premier League (2015). The “Jackpot” nickname—earned after his first televised 180 in 2004—remains a constant, a moniker that now appears to fit his comeback as much as it did his early years.

While Lewis’s career had been punctuated by dips in form and intermittent injuries, his current form at the German Darts Masters and Premier League suggest that the former world champion might be entering a late‑career renaissance. PDC insiders speculate that Lewis could aim for a return to the World Championship final in 2025, or even set a personal best in a televised match average.

Links to follow up

1. PDC Official Player Profile – A quick glance at Lewis’s updated career stats shows a recent climb in average and checkout rates.
2. Premier League Darts 2024 Highlights – View the full Premier League match between Lewis and Wade, including the pivotal 170 checkout.
3. German Darts Masters 2024 Match Report – Read the detailed coverage of Lewis’s 10‑4 win over van Gerwen.
4. Interviews & Behind‑the‑Scenes – A 2024 interview with Lewis on the PDC’s YouTube channel explores his mental preparation after injury.

Looking ahead

Adrian Lewis’s return has already spurred a flurry of excitement among fans and pundits alike. If his early performances are any indication, Lewis is not merely a player in the mix—he is a threat poised to reshape the competitive landscape once again. With the “Jackpot” moment back in play and a career‑long history of high‑stakes success, the world’s eye is on him as he re‑enters the world of professional darts. Whether he will add another world title to his résumé remains to be seen, but the stage is set, and Lewis has shown that he’s still ready to turn a match into a memorable event—one that could very well live up to the name that has followed him for decades.