World Matchplay Darts 2026 is well underway at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, with Luke Littler aiming to add yet more silverware to his trophy cabinet as he looks to retain the crown he won for the first time 12 months ago.
World No. 1 Littler headlines the bill as the top 16 players in the PDC World Rankings and the top 16 in the PDC ProTour Order of Merit do battle across nine days in one of the eight major events on the calendar. The 19-year-old, who beat James Wade in the 2025 final, is already one step closer to adding a second crown after seeing off Niko Springer 10-6 in the first round.
However, there has already been a shock in the opening round, with Littler’s closest rival, Luke Humphries, defeated at the first hurdle. The Leeds-born star lost 10-7 to Cameron Menzies.
Littler will still face plenty of competition, though, with the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton all eager to upset the 19-year-old.
You won’t want to miss any of the action, so read on to discover how to watch World Matchplay Darts 2026 online from anywhere, including free streams.
Can I watch World Matchplay Darts 2026 for free?
World Matchplay Darts 2026 is free-to-air in select countries.
L’Equipe is providing free broadcast to darts fans in France, while VTM is showing live coverage in Belgium at no cost.
Abroad? You can use a VPN to watch all the action free of charge as if you were right at home.
Use a VPN to watch World Matchplay Darts 2026 from anywhere
A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it’s back in your home country, thereby letting you unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 70% discount.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we’ve said, NordVPN is our favourite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you’re visiting the US and want to view your usual UK service, you’d select a UK-based server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual local streaming service and watch the darts.
How to watch World Matchplay Darts 2026 live streams in the UK
World Matchplay Darts 2026 is broadcast by Sky Sports in the UK. Subscribers can watch every session live on Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event.
Sky Sports packages start from £20 per month, or you can use a more flexible streaming option, Now (formerly Now TV). Now Sports Memberships start at £14.99 for a day pass.
Away from the country and want to access the Sky Go app or Now? We recommend NordVPN to unblock your stream.
How to watch World Matchplay Darts 2026 live streams in Australia
Fox Sports has the broadcasting rights to World Matchplay Darts 2026 in Australia, which means cord-cutters can live stream the action on the brilliant streaming service Kayo Sports.
A subscription starts at $29.99 per month, though you can pay $45.99 per month for simultaneous streaming on two devices. Whichever plan you choose, new users get a free 7-day trial.
Remember: Use a VPN to access Kayo when outside of Australia.
How to watch World Matchplay Darts 2026 in the US
You can catch all the World Matchplay Darts 2026 action on ESPN Select in America, with ESPN2 also showing the final session on Sunday, July 26. Prices start from $12.99/month, or $129.99/year.
In the US this week and want to access the live streams you’d normally watch at home? Try NordVPN risk-free.
World Matchplay Darts 2026 – Need to Know
Who has qualified for World Matchplay Darts 2026?
Seeded players
- Luke Littler
- Luke Humphries
- Gian van Veen
- Michael van Gerwen
- Jonny Clayton
- James Wade
- Gerwyn Price
- Josh Rock
- Stephen Bunting
- Danny Noppert
- Ryan Searle
- Gary Anderson
- Chris Dobey
- Wessel Nijman
- Ross Smith
- Nathan Aspinall
Pro Tour Order of Merit qualifiers
- Luke Woodhouse
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Kevin Doets
- Andrew Gilding
- Rob Cross
- Krzysztof Ratajski
- William O’Connor
- Niko Springer
- Niels Zonneveld
- Martin Schindler
- Ryan Joyce
- Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Cameron Menzies
- Joe Cullen
- Damon Heta
- Dave Chisnall
|
Date |
Round |
Start time |
|
Monday, July 20 |
First Round |
7pm (BST) / 2pm (ET) 4am (AEST – Tue) |
|
Tuesday, July 21 |
Second Round |
7pm (BST) / 2pm (ET) 4am (AEST – Wed) |
|
Wednesday, July 22 |
Second Round |
7pm (BST) / 2pm (ET) 4am (AEST – Thu) |
|
Thursday, July 23 |
Quarter-finals |
8pm (BST) / 3pm (ET) 5am (AEST – Fri) |
|
Friday, July 24 |
Quarter-finals |
8pm (BST) / 3pm (ET) 5am (AEST – Sat) |
|
Saturday, July 25 |
Semi-finals |
8pm (BST) / 3pm (ET) 5am (AEST – Sun) |
|
Sunday, July 26 |
Final |
8pm (BST) / 3pm (ET) 5am (AEST – Mon) |
Previous World Matchplay Darts winners
2025: Luke Littler
2024: Luke Humphries
2023: Nathan Aspinall
2022: Michael van Gerwen
2021: Peter Wright
2020: Dmitri van den Bergh
2019: Rob Cross
2018: Gary Anderson
2017: Phil Taylor
2016: Michael van Gerwen
Can I watch World Matchplay Darts 2026 on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser to live stream World Matchplay Darts 2026. For example, Sky Go in the UK.
You can also stay up-to-date on the PDC’s official social media channels such as on X (@OfficialPDC), Instagram (@officialpdc), Facebook (OfficialPDC) and TikTok (OfficialPDC)
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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