ITV has unveiled a revamped lineup for 2026 as part of a new agreement with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Luke Littler, the reigning world champion, will make his return tonight after a remarkable win at Ally Pally.
With the renewed three-year partnership with the PDC, ITV has outlined its programming schedule, which will feature matches from various prestigious darts events including the World Masters, UK Open, World Series of Darts Finals, European Championship, Players Championship Finals, and global World Series of Darts tournaments.
Pete Graves and Gabbie Partington from Sky Sports will lead the coverage as hosts, with Partington already preparing for the upcoming World Series of Darts events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The new ITV punditry team boasts renowned figures such as Wayne Mardle and Glen Durrant, complemented by former PDC star Mark Webster and ex-World Matchplay semi-finalist Chris Mason.
In the commentary booth, Dan Dawson will team up with talkSPORT commentator Mark Wilson, while the iconic broadcaster Ian Danter will continue his role. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed delight over the extended partnership with ITV, emphasizing the importance of providing free-to-air coverage to UK fans amid the growing popularity of darts.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the network’s commitment to offering live darts coverage to the UK audience. The Bahrain Darts Masters is set to kick off soon, with reigning champion Stephen Bunting facing Ryusei Azemoto, while Luke Littler will take on Paul Lim in the opening round.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, now including HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of the Premier League and EFL. Sky continues to broadcast a vast array of live matches across various sports leagues, ensuring an extensive viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.