ITV has officially announced a revamped lineup for 2026 after sealing a fresh agreement with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Luke Littler, the current world champion, will make his comeback tonight following a remarkable triumph at Ally Pally.
In anticipation of the upcoming broadcasts, ITV has unveiled its programming changes in light of the newly inked three-year deal with the PDC. The network is set to air matches from various prestigious 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 take the reins as hosts for the coverage, with Partington already gearing up for the World Series of Darts double-header in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
ITV’s punditry lineup boasts renowned figures like five-time World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle and ex-Premier League champion Glen Durrant. Additionally, former PDC star Mark Webster and ex-World Matchplay semi-finalist Chris Mason will join the punditry team, while the commentary booth will feature a new pairing.
Dan Dawson will team up with talkSPORT commentator Mark Wilson, while veteran broadcaster Ian Danter will continue to play a key role in the coverage.
Reflecting on the extended partnership, PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter expressed his delight, emphasizing the significance of offering free-to-air coverage of the sport’s popular events to UK audiences. Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the network’s commitment to showcasing major darts events for British viewers.
Darts enthusiasts can look forward to the upcoming Bahrain Darts Masters starting on Thursday, where reigning champion Stephen Bunting will defend his title against Ryusei Azemoto. Meanwhile, Luke Littler will face off against Ally Pally fan favorite Paul Lim in the tournament’s opening round.