What Channel Is the Darts Masters On? UK TV and Streaming Guide
So, what channel is the darts masters on? Good news for UK fans: ITV4. The tournament — now played as the Winmau World Masters — is shown live, free-to-air on ITV4, and every session streams free on ITVX too. No subscription, no pay-per-view.
On this page
- Table of Contents
- What Channel Is the Darts Masters On in the UK?
- Session Times: When the Televised Sessions Start
- How to Stream the Darts Masters Live
- What Channel Is the Darts Masters On Outside the UK?
- What Is the Darts Masters? A Quick Guide to the Event
- No TV Nearby? Highlights and Live Scores Instead
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
The next edition is at Arena MK in Milton Keynes, televised from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 January 2027, with world number one Luke Littler defending the title. Below: session times, streaming options, what channel is the darts masters on outside the UK, plus a quick event guide.
Table of Contents
What Channel Is the Darts Masters On in the UK?
In the UK, the answer to what channel is the darts masters on is ITV4. ITV holds the UK rights under a deal renewed until 2028 — so the event stays free-to-air, alongside the UK Open, the European Championship and the Players Championship Finals.
ITV4 is on Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media, so it is free in almost every UK home. One small check: a busy Saturday of sport has occasionally moved part of an afternoon session to ITV3 at recent editions, so check the TV guide on the day.
Session Times: When the Televised Sessions Start
Knowing what channel is the darts masters on is only half the job — you also need the session times. From the published 2027 schedule:
- Thursday 28 January: evening session, 7pm — first round
- Friday 29 January: evening session, 7pm — first round
- Saturday 30 January: afternoon 1pm and evening 7pm — second round
- Sunday 31 January: afternoon 1pm — quarter-finals; evening 7pm — semi-finals and final
Before the TV cameras take over, the preliminary rounds are expected on Wednesday 27 January, following the pattern of recent editions. They decide the last eight places and are traditionally streamed on PDCTV, not shown on ITV4 — so if you want every dart, Wednesday is a streaming day.
How to Stream the Darts Masters Live
You know what channel is the darts masters on — but what if you would rather stream it? In the UK the easiest route is ITVX, ITV’s free streaming service and app. Every session on ITV4 is live on ITVX at the same time, with catch-up afterwards. It works on TVs, phones and laptops with a free account.
The other option is PDCTV, the PDC’s own streaming service at pdc.tv. In the UK it carries the preliminary rounds live, but not the televised main event. Where PDCTV really matters is outside the rights-holder countries. More guides like this are on the World Darts Guide homepage.
What Channel Is the Darts Masters On Outside the UK?
Abroad, what channel is the darts masters on depends on where you live, because the PDC sells its rights country by country. Based on the current deals and recent editions:
- Germany, Austria and Switzerland: DAZN holds the PDC rights in the DACH region, plus free Sport1 coverage in Germany.
- Netherlands, Poland, the Nordics and the Baltics: Viaplay is the home of PDC darts.
- Australia and New Zealand: recent editions aired on Fox Sports and Sky Sport respectively.
- Belgium and Czechia/Slovakia: VTM and Nova have carried PDC events recently.
- Almost everywhere else: PDCTV streams the tournament live, including in the United States and Canada.
One catch: PDCTV cannot show the televised sessions live in the UK and Ireland, the DACH countries or the Netherlands, where local broadcasters hold exclusive rights. No listed broadcaster in your country? PDCTV is almost certainly your answer — our guide to what channel the Swiss Darts Trophy is on explains the same patchwork for the European Tour.
What Is the Darts Masters? A Quick Guide to the Event
A quick naming note: the event people still call the Darts Masters — and search what channel is the darts masters on — is officially the Winmau World Masters. The PDC relaunched it in 2025 with a new trophy and bigger format, and it is now a full ranking major: the first ranking event of the season, a few weeks after the World Championship final.
The main draw features 32 players: the top 24 on the PDC Order of Merit after the World Championship qualify automatically, with the top 16 seeded, and the last eight places come from the preliminary rounds. Matches are set play, each set the best of three legs — a fast, ruthless format. The prize fund is £500,000, with £100,000 to the winner.
Luke Littler defends the title. He beat Luke Humphries 6-5 in a deciding-set classic in the 2026 final to win it for the first time.
No TV Nearby? Highlights and Live Scores Instead
There is no regular live radio commentary for this event, so if you cannot reach a screen, the PDC’s live scoring is your best friend — the official site and app update every match dart by dart, free. ITVX carries full-session catch-up and highlights after each day, and PDC YouTube clips follow soon after.
Honestly, with the whole tournament free on ITV4 and ITVX, most fans will not need a backup plan. Set a reminder for 7pm on Thursday 28 January and you are sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the darts masters on in the UK?
ITV4. The whole main tournament is live and free-to-air on ITV4, under ITV’s PDC rights deal running until 2028. The same coverage streams free on ITVX.
Is the Darts Masters free to watch?
Yes — in the UK it is completely free. ITV4 is free-to-air and ITVX costs nothing; you only need a TV licence for live viewing.
When is the next Darts Masters?
At Arena MK in Milton Keynes, televised from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 January 2027. Prelims are expected a day earlier, Wednesday 27 January.
Can I watch the Darts Masters on PDCTV?
Yes, depending where you are. PDCTV streams the preliminary rounds worldwide and the full event live in most countries — but not the televised sessions in the UK and Ireland, the DACH countries or the Netherlands, where local broadcasters hold exclusive rights.
Who is the defending Darts Masters champion?
Luke Littler. He won the 2026 Winmau World Masters, beating Luke Humphries 6-5 in a deciding set in the final — his first Masters title.
How many players are in the Darts Masters?
Thirty-two. The top 24 on the PDC Order of Merit qualify automatically, with the top 16 seeded, and eight more players come through the preliminary rounds.
Conclusion
So, what channel is the darts masters on? In the UK it could hardly be simpler: ITV4, live and free, with ITVX streaming every session. The 2027 edition runs from 28 to 31 January at Arena MK in Milton Keynes, and with Luke Littler defending his title against a 32-man field, it is the first big darts weekend of the year.
Outside the UK, check your local route — DAZN, Viaplay or a regional sports channel — and if your country has no broadcaster, PDCTV will have you covered. Enjoy it: four days, one trophy, and no subscription needed for UK fans.
