Darts has grown enormously in popularity over the past decade, and Irish fans now have more ways than ever to watch live action from top players around the world. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a hardcore fan, multiple platforms are offering comprehensive coverage of major tournaments and smaller events. Read ahead to learn how to watch some of the best darts players of all time battle it out for more world titles.
Darts Subscriptions
If you want to follow the darts all year round, consider buying a subscription. There are several top-quality services out there that help fans never miss a leg. If you are going to bet on darts or any major event, a subscription is often the best value for money.
Sky Sports
The PDC has a relationship with Sky, which means six Premier Events are broadcast live on their channels. Coverage typically includes pre-match build-ups, expert analysis, player interviews, and post-match wrap-ups, giving fans a complete viewing experience. Sky Sports also broadcasts all PDC televised events in HD, with multi-camera coverage, live statistics, and commentary. For fans who cannot watch on traditional TV, Sky Go and NOW TV allow live streaming on mobile devices, tablets, and computers.
The Premier Events covered on Sky include the PDC World Championship, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, UK Open, Players Championship Finals, and the European Championship. Sky Sports’ coverage typically has the best presenters and pundits, with commentators like Rod Harrington and Wayne Mardle offering expert insight into tactics, player form, and historical context.
Sky also produces original programming based around darts, including documentaries and interviews with great players from the past and present. Sky Sports remains the go-to destination for darts fans in Ireland who want both live action and expert insight.
PDCTV
Not all PDC Premier Events are on Sky, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch the action. PDCTV subscribers in Ireland and outside the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland can watch major competitions like the UK Open and World Series of Darts finals. The price is reasonable, with the choice of paying €4.99 per month or €49.99 annually. PDCTV subscribers can also watch weekly Players Championship events, as well as on-demand content.
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PDCTV is ideal for hardcore fans who want comprehensive coverage of every match, including smaller tournaments that are not televised elsewhere. The platform offers behind-the-scenes access, player interviews, and exclusive analysis. Viewers can stream live or catch up on recorded matches, making it a flexible option for fans on the go. Subscriptions can be accessed on mobile phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs, making it straightforward to follow every leg of a tournament from anywhere in Ireland.
Other Options for Watching Darts in Ireland
If you do not fancy making a financial commitment to darts, or won’t have the time to watch the events at home, there are plenty of other options. You can watch some fantastic events for free or use mobile apps to stream or follow along with live updates.
PlutoTV
The Modus Super Series has picked up serious traction in the last couple of years. They boast some huge names, including two-time PDC World Champion Adrian Lewis. Fans can catch the Modus Super Series on PlutoTV. You can access PlutoTV by using their website or downloading the app to your phone, tablet or Smart TV. They have a dedicated Modus Super Series channel, meaning you can catch every last second. The best part is, it is absolutely free.
PDC Streams
While Sky Sports, PDCTV, and PlutoTV cover the majority of major tournaments, there are additional ways for fans to keep up. The PDC streams some highlights and behind-the-scenes footage on YouTube and Twitch, including match recaps, practice sessions, and player interviews.
Mobile Apps
Mobile apps and live score websites are another option for fans who cannot watch live. Apps like the official PDC app provide real-time scoring, live statistics, and push notifications for key moments, ensuring you never miss an important leg even if you are away from a screen. Social media channels such as Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit also provide live commentary, analysis, and discussion, allowing fans to engage with the community while following the matches.
When is the Darts on?
There are several major events taking place throughout the year. The season will always start and end with the World Darts Championship, which is the most prestigious prize in darts. Dates will vary from year to year, but below is a calendar of what to expect from PDC events each season.
Additionally, Players Championship events keep fans entertained between the majors. These tournaments, though not broadcast on TV, are incredibly important for qualification to Premier Events. Not only do they determine qualification for the Players Championship Finals, but they also count towards the overall PDC Order of Merit, which is calculated by players’ accumulated prize money over two years.
£15,000 goes to the winner of each of the 34 events, £10,000 to the runners-up, and £5,000 to semi-finalists. The quarter-finalists take home £3,500, £2,500 goes to players in the last 16, and players in the last 32 enjoy £1,500.
PDC Premier Events
- PDC World Darts Championship: December – January
- PDC World Masters: January – February
- Premier League Darts: February – May (Non-Ranked)
- UK Open: February – March
- PDC World Cup of Darts: June (Non-Ranked)
- World Matchplay: July
- World Series of Darts Finals: September (Non-Ranked)
- World Grand Prix: October
- European Championship: October
- Grand Slam of Darts: November
- Players Championship Finals: November
The format of some of these events means that they sometimes overlap with others. For example, the Premier League is played weekly in a league format from February through to the finals in May. During that time, two other major events take place, as well as Players Championship events. This is because the Premier League is a non-ranked event where entry is not determined by placing in the European or ProTour Order of Merit. Instead, the PDC invites players directly to participate, and these events do not count towards the Order of Merit.
World Series of Darts Events
The World Series of Darts is a non-ranked event. Top-ranked PDC players compete in local qualifiers in a knockout format, with events held across multiple countries, including Australia, the US, Europe, and Asia. The series concludes with the World Series of Darts Finals, held annually in Amsterdam. Players earn ranking points based on performance at each event, with the top eight automatically qualifying for the Finals.
- Bahrain Darts Masters – January
- Dutch Darts Masters – January
- Nordic Darts Masters – June
- US Darts Masters – June
- Poland Darts Masters – July
- Australian Darts Masters – August
- New Zealand Darts Masters – August
- World Series of Darts Finals – September
