ITV strikes free-to-air darts deal

The deal will see PDC events continue to have free-to-air coverage in the UK across ITV4 and ITVX. 

It encompasses high-profile PDC events, including the World Masters, UK Open, European Championship, Players Championship Finals, all World Series of Darts global events, and the World Series of Darts Finals. 

The new deal will also see PDC manage the production of all ITV-broadcast events, with continued linear coverage on ITV4 and simulcast on ITVX.

It comes at a time when darts has enjoyed a surge in interest from a new generation of fans thanks to the success of players like Luke Littler.

Matt Porter, Chief Executive of PDC, said: "With more buzz around darts than ever before, we are pleased to be able to deliver free-to-air coverage of so many of our popular events to UK fans."

Niall Sloane, Director of Sport at ITV, said: "We are pleased to expand and extend our live darts coverage here at ITV Sport, as we look to keep the biggest events in professional darts free-to-air for the UK audience to enjoy."

The deal adds to ITV Sport’s rights portfolio, including all England Men and England Lionesses tournament qualifiers, UEFA Nations League fixtures, the Men’s FIFA World Cup 2026, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, Men’s UEFA Euro 2028 and the Men’s FIFA World Cup 2030, as well as the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship, ITV Horse Racing, British Touring Cars, FIA Formula E, the English Football League, and the Carabao Cup.

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