How to Watch Darts in the UK: Every Channel Explained

If you want to know how to watch darts in the UK, the answer depends on the event. Sky Sports shows the biggest PDC tournaments, including the World Championship at Alexandra Palace and Premier League Darts. ITV4 and ITVX show a set of major events for free. PDC.TV, the PDC’s own streaming service, covers many of the floor events that are not on television.

Below is a breakdown of who shows what, the key dates for the end of 2026 and the cheapest legal ways to get each channel.

Who shows darts in the UK

UK darts coverage is split between two main TV partners, plus the PDC’s own platform:

Sky’s relationship with the PDC goes back to 1993, and its partnership has been extended to 2030. ITV’s deal with the PDC runs until 2028, according to SportCal. Rights can change, so check the listings closer to each event.

Key darts dates for late 2026

The 2026/27 World Championship moves into Alexandra Palace’s larger Great Hall, with the final on a Sunday for the first time, according to Sky Sports. Session times are confirmed nearer the event.

How to watch darts on Sky Sports

Sky Sports carries the events most fans care about, so it is worth getting the cheapest route right:

• Sky TV with Sky Sports: the traditional option, usually on a contract. Good if you want lots of other sport too.
• NOW: Sky’s own streaming service, with Sky Sports memberships you can take month by month. This suits darts fans who mainly want December and January for the World Championship, plus Premier League Darts nights in the spring.
• Broadband TV packages: some broadband providers offer Sky Sports as an add-on. Compare the full monthly cost, including any contract length.

Prices change often and promotions come and go, so check the current price on Sky’s and NOW’s sites before signing up. If the World Championship is your main event, a short NOW membership covering mid-December to early January is often the most flexible choice.

How to watch darts free on ITV4 and ITVX

ITV4 is a free-to-air channel, so you can watch its darts coverage on Freeview, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and most TV platforms without a sports subscription. ITVX, ITV’s streaming app, shows the same coverage live online on smart TVs, phones and streaming sticks.

You do need a TV Licence to watch any live TV, including ITV4 or ITVX streams of live events. With that in place, events like the European Championship and the Players Championship Finals cost nothing extra.

What PDC.TV is for

PDC.TV is the PDC’s own streaming platform. It is mainly useful for the many floor events and European Tour tournaments that the TV partners do not cover, such as Players Championship days. Availability of individual events can vary by country because of broadcast deals, so check PDC.TV’s site for what is shown in the UK and the current subscription price.

Watching darts on your TV or phone

Sky Sports via NOW, ITVX and PDC.TV all work through apps, so a reasonably modern smart TV or streaming stick is enough. If your TV is older, our guide to the best streaming devices compares the main options. For smooth live sport, a wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal near the TV makes a real difference, and our explainer on why streams buffer can help if the picture keeps freezing at the oche.

One word of caution: unofficial streams of big darts events circulate every December. They are not licensed, often come with pop-ups and malware risks, and police and FACT have been actively targeting illegal IPTV sellers. The legal options above cover every major event.

Which option should you choose?

1. Casual fan: stick with ITV4 and ITVX for free coverage, then consider a single NOW month for the World Championship.
2. Big-event follower: NOW month by month for the Grand Slam, the World Championship and Premier League Darts.
3. Every dart thrown: Sky Sports plus PDC.TV for the floor events.

If you are also comparing general IPTV subscriptions for wider viewing, our own plan, IPTV Journal, is a single 12-month plan for $89 (priced in US dollars). For a broader look at sports options, see our guide to IPTV sports packages.

FAQ

What channel is the World Darts Championship on in the UK?

The PDC World Darts Championship is shown live on Sky Sports. The 2026/27 edition runs from 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 at Alexandra Palace. You can watch it with Sky TV or with a Sky Sports membership on NOW.

Can I watch darts for free in the UK?

Yes, some events. ITV4 and ITVX show the Masters, UK Open, European Championship, Players Championship Finals and World Series events free to air. You still need a TV Licence to watch live TV.

Is Premier League Darts on Sky Sports?

Yes, Premier League Darts is shown on Sky Sports, with the season usually running from February to May. Check Sky’s schedule for each week’s venue and start time.

What is PDC.TV and do I need it?

PDC.TV is the PDC’s own streaming service for many floor and European Tour events. You only need it if you want those smaller tournaments, since the biggest events are on Sky Sports and ITV.

Can I watch the darts on NOW without a contract?

Yes. NOW offers Sky Sports memberships that run month to month, so you can join for the World Championship and cancel afterwards. Check NOW’s site for current prices and terms.