The Winmau World Masters 2026 is underway, delivering high-stakes darts action right from the start of the new season. Held at the iconic Arena MK in Milton Keynes, this £500,000 tournament marks one of the first major events following the intense World Darts Championship, drawing top talent from around the globe to compete for glory.
The competition kicked off with preliminary rounds on Wednesday, January 28, where 122 players battled for just eight coveted spots in the main televised draw. These qualifiers featured non-top-24 Tour Card holders and players from affiliate tours, all vying to join the elite field. The top 24 players on the PDC Order of Merit earned direct entry into the main event, setting the stage for thrilling matchups starting Thursday, January 29, and running through Sunday, February 1.
Big names are front and center this year. Reigning champion Luke Humphries returns to defend his title after a dramatic victory last time out. Joining him are powerhouse performers like teenage sensation Luke Littler, who is eyeing his first Winmau World Masters crown, multi-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall, and rising star Gian van Veen making his debut in this format. The lineup promises explosive legs, clutch finishes, and plenty of drama as players navigate best-of-five-sets early rounds before escalating intensity in later stages.
Fans eager to catch every arrow can tune in across various platforms, depending on their location. In the **UK**, ITV4 serves as the primary broadcaster for the main tournament, offering live coverage especially during evening sessions starting around 7:00 PM GMT on Thursday and Friday, with expanded hours likely over the weekend afternoons and evenings. For those preferring digital viewing, the action streams live and for free via the ITVX app or website, making it accessible on phones, tablets, or smart TVs without any subscription hurdles. Preliminary rounds from Wednesday were available through PDCTV for subscribers.
In the **USA**, options center on the PDC’s official streaming service, PDCTV, which provides live coverage of the event (with some territorial restrictions noted for certain regions). Viewers may also find select sessions or on-demand replays through partnerships like Peacock, though availability can vary—checking the PDC’s platform directly ensures the most up-to-date access. International fans outside restricted areas (such as the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) can enjoy full live streams via PDCTV, where the tournament is broadcast without the blackouts applied to local TV deals.
For **Australian** darts enthusiasts, streaming through PDCTV offers a reliable way to follow the action live, as the event falls under the PDC’s worldwide coverage outside specific broadcast territories. Time zone differences mean sessions often air during convenient morning or afternoon hours Down Under, allowing fans to watch the drama unfold in real time.
The tournament format keeps the excitement building: early rounds feature best-of-five sets (best of three legs per set), ramping up as players advance. With a massive prize pot and ranking points on the line, every match carries weight—expect nine-dart attempts, high averages, and unforgettable comebacks.
Whether you’re settling in for a full day of coverage or catching highlights from key clashes, the Winmau World Masters 2026 delivers non-stop entertainment. From the underdog qualifiers pushing through to the seeded stars battling for supremacy, this event captures the essence of professional darts: precision under pressure, roaring crowds, and moments that define legacies. Grab your setup, tune in, and enjoy what promises to be a spectacular weekend of arrows hitting the board in Milton Keynes. (Word count: 728)