Editing Adrian Vale

{{short description|Professional darts player}}
{{Infobox darts player
| name = Adrian Vale
| image = 
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Vale competing at the 2025 World Matchplay
| fullname = Adrian Vale
| nickname = "The Tactician"
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|3|11}}
| birth_place = Birmingham, England
| hometown = Manchester, England
| home_country = {{ENG}}
| since = 2012
| darts = 22g Mission Vale Signature
| laterality = Right-handed
| music = "Battle Cry" by Imagine Dragons
| organisation = [[International Darts Federation]] (IDF)
| world_champ_best = {{nowrap|Semi-finals: 2028}}
| masters_best = {{nowrap|Semi-finals: 2025}}
| matchplay_best = {{nowrap|'''Semi-finals: 2025'''}}
| nordic_masters_best = {{nowrap|'''Winner: 2025'''}}
| uk_open_best = {{nowrap|Winner: 2023}}
| premier_best = {{nowrap|Winner: 2024}}
| current_rank = No. 4 (as of July 2025)
}}

'''Adrian Vale''' (born 11 March 1994) is an English professional [[darts]] player who competes in events organised by the [[International Darts Federation]] (IDF). Known as "''The Tactician''" for his composed tempo and strategic precision, Vale is widely regarded as one of the most technically disciplined throwers on the modern circuit. In 2025, he captured his first major televised title at the [[2025 Nordic Masters]] and reached the semi-finals of the [[2025 IDF World Matchplay]], elevating him to fourth in the world rankings.

==Career==
===Early career===
Vale began competing in local leagues around the West Midlands in 2012, quickly developing a reputation for his deliberate pace and calculated rhythm. He won the 2013 Midlands Masters before joining the IDF Development Tour, making his televised debut at the [[IDF Masters Qualifier]] in 2016, where he narrowly lost 6–5 to [[Theo Bartlett]] in a deciding leg.

===Rise on the IDF circuit (2018–2021)===
After turning professional in 2018, Vale made steady progress through the IDF ranks. He reached his first Pro Tour final in 2019 and debuted at the [[IDF World Championship]] later that year, defeating [[Riley Voss]] before losing to [[Elias Storm]] in round two. His breakthrough came at the 2021 [[IDF Grand Slam]], where he reached the quarter-finals and became known for his consistency and finishing discipline.

===Major breakthrough (2022–2024)===
Vale’s technical mastery and composure under pressure defined this period. In 2022, he finished runner-up at the [[IDF Masters]], narrowly losing to [[Max Mad]] 11–8, before claiming his maiden televised title at the 2023 [[IDF UK Open]] with an 11–6 victory over [[Zane Holloway]].  
He followed this with a dominant 2024 season, capturing the [[IDF Premier League]] crown after defeating [[Theo Bartlett]] 11–7 in the final, and reaching the quarter-finals of both the [[IDF Grand Slam]] and [[IDF World Championship]].

===Breakthrough season (2025)===
Vale entered 2025 as a top-ten mainstay, but his performances through the summer established him firmly among the elite. According to ''Mob Esports''’ *July 2025 Post-World Matchplay Update*,<ref>{{cite web |title=Adrian Vale – June 2025 Update (Post-World Matchplay) |url=https://www.mobesports.com/adrian-vale-june2025 |website=Mob Esports |publisher=Mob Productions |date=29 July 2025 |access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref> his back-to-back runs at the Nordic Masters and World Matchplay transformed his reputation from dependable performer to genuine title contender.

====2025 Nordic Masters====
Vale won his first major televised title at the [[2025 Nordic Masters]], defeating [[Alex Brow]] 8–6 in the final with a 101.8 average and six 180s. He recorded an overall tournament average of 102.3 — the highest of the event — after consecutive wins over [[Mason Clarke]], [[Theo Bartlett]], and [[Elias Storm]].  
The victory propelled Vale into the IDF top five for the first time in his career.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:70%; margin:0 auto;"
|+ 2025 Nordic Masters – Match Results
! Round !! Opponent !! Result !! Average !! 180s !! Checkout %
|-
| Last 16 || {{PDCPlayer|Mason Clarke}} || 6–2 || 100.9 || 3 || 45 %
|-
| Quarter-final || {{PDCPlayer|Theo Bartlett}} || 6–4 || 102.3 || 4 || 38 %
|-
| Semi-final || {{PDCPlayer|Elias Storm}} || 7–5 || 104.1 || 5 || 42 %
|-
| Final || {{PDCPlayer|Alex Brow}} || '''8–6''' || 101.8 || 6 || 47 %
|}

====2025 World Matchplay====
Riding the momentum from his Nordic triumph, Vale produced a commanding debut campaign at the [[2025 IDF World Matchplay]], reaching the semi-finals on debut. Critics praised his relentless scoring bursts — often averaging over 108 across five-leg stretches — and his improved crowd composure.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:70%; margin:0 auto;"
|+ 2025 World Matchplay – Match Results
! Round !! Opponent !! Result !! Average !! 180s !! Checkout %
|-
| First Round || {{PDCPlayer|Jamie Rowland}} || 10–6 || 101.5 || 5 || 44 %
|-
| Second Round || {{PDCPlayer|Theo Bartlett}} || 11–8 || 104.2 || 7 || 41 %
|-
| Quarter-final || {{PDCPlayer|Zane Holloway}} || 16–13 || 102.6 || 9 || 46 %
|-
| Semi-final || {{PDCPlayer|Elias Storm}} || 11–17 || 99.8 || 6 || 39 %
|}

Although beaten by Storm in the last four, Vale’s campaign was hailed as one of the standout performances of the tournament. His tactical tempo, treble-20 accuracy, and late-leg focus drew multiple standing ovations at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

====Ranking and statistics====
By July 2025, Vale’s season record reflected a sustained climb into the sport’s upper tier:
* **Titles (2025):** 1 – Nordic Masters  
* **World Matchplay:** Semi-finalist  
* **Matches played:** 63  
* **Season average:** 100.4  
* **Win rate:** 74 %  
* **180s hit:** 197  
* **Highest finish:** 161  
* **Current IDF ranking:** No. 4 (career high)

===Playing style===
Vale is renowned for his strategic discipline and composure under pressure. His throw is deliberate yet fluid, and he often manipulates tempo to disrupt opponents. A specialist in two-dart finishes between 86 and 110, he favours treble 19 setups and high-percentage doubles on 16 and tops. Analysts credit his recent transformation to a refined mental approach and enhanced doubling practice routines with coach Marcus Fry.

===Road ahead===
Following his Matchplay breakthrough, Vale confirmed entries for the 2025 [[European Masters]] and [[IDF World Series Finals]], aiming to maintain form into the closing quarter of the season. Industry observers have begun branding him “the quiet killer” — a nod to his unflappable presence and surgical precision on stage.

==Equipment==
Vale throws 22-gram Mission Vale Signature darts with shark-grip barrels and a tapered nose. His grey-and-gold flights symbolize balance and control. He is sponsored by Apex Darts and Target Apparel.

==Performance timeline==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
! Year !! World Champ !! Masters !! UK Open !! Grand Slam !! Premier League !! Nordic Masters !! World Matchplay
|-
| 2021 || Last 16 || — || — || Quarter-finals || — || — || —
|-
| 2022 || Quarter-finals || Runner-up || Last 16 || Quarter-finals || — || — || —
|-
| 2023 || Quarter-finals || Last 32 || '''Winner''' || Quarter-finals || Runner-up || — || —
|-
| 2024 || Quarter-finals || Last 16 || Semi-finals || Quarter-finals || '''Winner''' || — || —
|-
| 2025 || TBD || Semi-finals || Quarter-finals || TBD || Semi-finals || '''Winner''' || '''Semi-finals'''
|}

==Personal life==
Vale lives in Manchester with his partner, sports psychologist Emily Rhodes. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and contributes analytical commentary for IDF broadcasts. Known for his understated persona and focus on preparation, Vale credits his success to data-driven practice and sports-science-based mental training.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:English darts players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1994 births]]
[[Category:International Darts Federation players]]
[[Category:IDF major champions]]