Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links — if you buy through one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our product picks focus on items we can link to, so we may not cover every option on the market. See how we make money and how we choose them.
The PDC World Darts Championship has traditionally been shown in Ireland via Sky Sports, with NOW offering a no-contract streaming pass as the legal alternative to a full satellite subscription. Check Sky’s schedule closer to the tournament for exact dates and channels.
When Is the Tournament On
The World Darts Championship typically runs from mid-December through to New Year’s Day, with the final usually taking place on 1 January or 2 January. Precise dates for 2026-27 had not been locked in at the time of writing, so it’s worth checking the official PDC website or your broadcaster’s listings once the draw and schedule are confirmed, usually a few months ahead of the event.
Confirmed Broadcaster in Ireland
Sky Sports has shown the PDC World Darts Championship in Ireland for many years, and was reported in January 2025 to have agreed a new five-year deal with the PDC starting in 2026. Expect this year’s championship on Sky Sports, and check Sky’s own schedule or the PDC’s broadcaster listings before you subscribe.
Watching Without a Sky Dish
For households without a satellite dish or a long-term Sky contract, NOW (formerly NOW TV) offers a Sky Sports pass that can be purchased on a day, month, or rolling basis depending on current pricing tiers. This is the most practical legal route for darts fans in Ireland who want to watch without signing up to a full Sky package. Pricing and pass names do change from time to time, so it’s worth checking the NOW website directly for the current Sky Sports membership options and costs before the tournament begins.
NOW is available on smart TVs, streaming sticks, games consoles, and via a web browser or app on phones and tablets. If you’re watching on a smart TV app, make sure the app itself is up to date and that your account’s billing address matches your actual home address in Ireland, as this is sometimes a source of account or regional mismatches with subscription services.
Setting Up Your TV for Streaming
If you’re streaming the darts through a set-top box, streaming stick, or games console rather than a built-in smart TV app, you may find yourself swapping HDMI cables between devices during a busy sporting weekend. A 3-in-1 HDMI Switch lets you keep multiple devices, such as a streaming stick, a games console, and a Sky box, connected to the same TV input without constantly unplugging cables, which is handy if your TV has limited HDMI ports.
Picture Quality and Buffering
Darts coverage tends to involve long static camera shots with fast-moving close-up action on the oche, so a stable connection matters more than raw resolution. If you notice buffering during busy viewing periods, such as the evening sessions when audiences peak, try connecting your streaming device via ethernet cable where possible, or move your router to a more central location in the house. Restarting your router before a big session is also a simple step that resolves many temporary connection issues.
Checking Your Account Settings
If a streaming app shows an error suggesting the content isn’t available, the most common cause is an account registered to the wrong country or an app downloaded from the wrong regional app store. Make sure your streaming device’s app store region is set to Ireland, and that your NOW or Sky account details reflect an Irish billing address. If problems persist, the broadcaster’s own customer support team is the best point of contact, as they can check account-specific settings on their end.
Free-to-Air Alternatives
Darts has occasionally featured on free-to-air schedules in other markets, but in Ireland the World Championship has historically sat behind Sky’s paywall rather than being shown on RTÉ or other free channels. If you rely on an Outdoor Digital TV Aerial for Saorview channels, it’s worth checking RTÉ’s own sports schedule separately, as free-to-air darts coverage in Ireland has generally been limited to occasional highlights rather than live tournament coverage.
Recommended for This Guide
Outdoor Digital TV Aerial
A proper outdoor aerial gives the most reliable free-to-air reception for big match days on RTÉ or TG4, when every stream is under strain.
3-in-1 HDMI Switch
Useful if your streaming box, games console, and set-top box are all fighting over one HDMI port on match day.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See how we make money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PDC World Darts Championship shown free-to-air in Ireland?
Can I watch the darts without a Sky dish installed?
What should I do if a streaming app says the darts coverage isn't available in my country?
Are the exact 2026-27 tournament dates confirmed yet?
Related
Read our full guide to legal streaming services in Ireland.
Price changes, new launches, and deals as they happen — Follow us on WhatsApp