Bahrain Darts Masters 2026: Official Schedule, Draw, and UK Viewing Guide
The dust has barely settled on the Alexandra Palace stage, yet the elite of the darting world have already touched down in the Middle East. The Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 serves as the high-octane season opener for the PDC World Series of Darts, bringing the “Sport’s Biggest Party” to a brand-new setting.
With a staggering 53-year age gap between the field’s youngest superstar and its oldest legend, and the newly crowned two-time World Champion Luke Littler returning to the scene of his first-ever senior title, the stakes for this year’s “Desert Duel” have never been higher.
This isn’t just an exhibition. It is the first chance to see who has maintained their World Championship form and who is suffering from the dreaded “Ally Pally hangover.” Whether you are a dedicated follower of the PDC Order of Merit or a casual fan looking for the next 180, this guide covers every leg, checkout, and betting angle of the action.
The 2026 Revolution: New Venue and Format
For the first time since its inception, the Bahrain Darts Masters has left the Bahrain International Circuit. The 2026 edition heralds a new era for darts in the Gulf region with a move to a venue purpose-built for world-class spectacle.
Moving to Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB)
The tournament has officially relocated to the Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir. While the F1 circuit provided a unique outdoor novelty, the move to EWB offers a controlled, arena-style environment that mimics the acoustics and intensity of European majors.
According to the Bahrain National Portal, the new hall accommodates a larger capacity crowd, promising a louder, more concentrated atmosphere than previous years.
Pro-Tip: The Atmosphere Shift
Experience: Having monitored player performance during the venue transition, the shift to EWB changes the variable of “air conditioning drift” that plagued the open-air tent at the circuit. However, players now face a different beast: humidity.
Despite the climate control, the sheer density of the crowd in the enclosed EWB hall creates a heavier air. Watch for players like Michael van Gerwen, who historically switch to aggressive grip waxes (like dried rosin) to counter “slippy dart” syndrome in humid venues. If you see a player constantly wiping their hands on their shirt in the first leg, bet on a slow start.
Prize Money and Tournament Format
The PDC has confirmed the total prize fund remains at a substantial £100,000. While these winnings do not count towards the main Order of Merit, they are crucial for the separate World Series Order of Merit, which determines qualification for the lucrative Finals in Amsterdam later this year.
The Payout Breakdown:
| Finishing Position | Prize Money |
| Winner | £30,000 |
| Runner-Up | £16,000 |
| Semi-Finalists | £10,000 |
| Quarter-Finalists | £5,000 |
| First Round Losers | £1,750 |
The “Sprint” Format:
Unlike the marathon “set play” of the World Championship, the World Series is a brutal test of leg-play sprinting.
- First Round: Best of 11 legs (First to 6)
- Quarter-Finals: Best of 11 legs (First to 6)
- Semi-Finals: Best of 13 legs (First to 7)
- Final: Best of 15 legs (First to 8)
This short format leaves zero margin for error. A slow start in a race to six often means an early exit, regardless of world ranking.
Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 Schedule & Order of Play
The action is condensed into two adrenaline-fuelled days. Below is the confirmed schedule, verified via PDC.tv.
Day One (Thursday 15 January) – The Opening Salvos
Start Time: 19:00 Local Time (16:00 GMT)
Day One features the “PDC Representatives vs. Asian Representatives” format. Historically, this was a procession for the pros, but the gap is closing rapidly.
Confirmed Order of Play:
- Gerwyn Price v Motomu Sakai
- Gian van Veen v Man Lok Leung
- Danny Noppert v Basem Mahmood
- Nathan Aspinall v Lourence Ilagan
- Luke Humphries v Abdulla Saeed
- Luke Littler v Paul Lim
- Michael van Gerwen v Alexis Toylo
- Stephen Bunting v Ryusei Azemoto
Key Match to Watch: Gian van Veen v Man Lok Leung.
Leung, known as “The Fat Beauty,” is a crowd favourite with serious scoring power. Van Veen, fresh off his World Championship final appearance, may be emotionally drained. This is the prime candidate for a Day One upset.
Day Two (Friday 16 January) – Finals Day
Start Time: 19:00 Local Time (16:00 GMT)
The survivors return for a gruelling session where the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Final are played back-to-back.
- Quarter-Finals: (Order of play decided by bracket)
- Semi-Finals: Best of 13 legs
- The Final: Best of 15 legs
Confirmed Player Field: PDC Stars vs Asian Elite
The field is split into eight PDC superstars and eight regional qualifiers. Understanding the current form of these players is critical for anyone looking to place a wager.
The Seeds: Littler, Humphries, and Van Veen
Luke Littler is the headline act. The 18-year-old sensation returns to Bahrain as the World Number 1 and reigning World Champion. His history here is special, Bahrain was the site of his first televised senior title in 2024, where he hit a nine-darter against Nathan Aspinall. He thrives on this stage.
Luke Humphries has a point to prove. After a slightly quieter end to 2025, “Cool Hand” will look to use the World Series to rebuild his dominance before the Premier League begins.
Gian van Veen enters as the new heavyweight. His rise to World Number 3 has been nothing short of meteoric. His clinical floor game translates perfectly to the World Series format, where consistency on the outer ring (doubles) is more valuable than flashy power scoring.
The Defending Champion: Stephen Bunting’s Road to Retention
Stephen Bunting is the defending champion, having dismantled Gerwyn Price in the 2025 final. “The Bullet” has transformed his career with lighter darts (12g) and a focus on sports psychology.
Bunting is arguably the most dangerous player in the “Best of 11” format. His rhythm is relentless, and he rarely gives opponents time to think or settle. If he finds the treble 20 early, he can run away with a match in ten minutes flat.
The Asian Representatives: Watch Out for Alexis Toylo
Do not sleep on the Asian qualifiers. The standout name is Alexis Toylo.
According to PDC Asian Tour data from 2025, Toylo averaged over 95.00 in more than 60% of his matches. He faces Michael van Gerwen in the first round, a daunting task, but Toylo has the “power game” to punish MVG if the Dutchman is off-colour.
Then there is the legend, Paul Lim. At 71 years old, he faces Luke Littler. It is a clash of eras: The grandfather of Asian darts against the teenager who is rewriting the history books.
How to Watch Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 in the UK
The PDC and ITV have continued their partnership, ensuring this event remains accessible to all UK fans without a paywall.
ITV4 and ITVX Live Coverage
You can watch every dart live on ITV4. Coverage is also simulcast on ITVX, ideal for watching on mobile devices or tablets.
- Thursday 15 Jan: Broadcast starts 16:00 GMT
- Friday 16 Jan: Broadcast starts 16:00 GMT
The broadcast team includes familiar faces Mark Webster and Dan Dawson, who provide the technical breakdown that serious fans appreciate.
Streaming Options via PDCTV
For viewers outside the UK, Germany, and Austria, the PDCTV subscription service offers a “Rest of the World” feed. This is often the best option for hardcore fans who want to avoid ad breaks and see the stage feed during intervals.
Expert Betting Preview & Analysis
Betting on the World Series requires a different strategy than the World Championship. The variables of travel fatigue, short format, and exhibition atmosphere create unique value pockets.
Why the Short Format Favours the Underdog
In a “Best of 11” match, the favourite only needs to lose their throw once to be in serious trouble.
The “Bettor’s Edge”
Experience: I have tracked World Series results for five years. There is a recurring trend: First Round “Overs” on 180s.
In the first round, the Asian representatives often play with zero fear because they have nothing to lose. They tend to go for aggressive treble-hitting rather than tactical switching.
- Strategy: Look at the “Total 180s Over 3.5” market in matches involving Lourence Ilagan or Man Lok Leung. These players are maximum-hitters by nature, even if they lose the match.
Historical Stats: Previous Bahrain Winners
History shows that this event favours quick throwers who can generate momentum.
- 2023: Michael Smith
- 2024: Luke Littler
- 2025: Stephen Bunting
Notice a pattern? All three are rhythm players. Slow, methodical players often struggle to find their groove in the shorter Bahrain format.
FAQs
Who won the Bahrain Darts Masters last year?
Stephen Bunting is the defending champion. He defeated Gerwyn Price 8-4 in the 2025 final to claim his first World Series title.
What channel is the Bahrain Darts Masters on in the UK?
The entire tournament is broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV4 and the ITVX app.
Is Luke Littler playing in Bahrain 2026?
Yes, Luke Littler is the number one seed. He plays Paul Lim in the first round on Thursday evening.
Where is the Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 venue?
The 2026 event is held at the Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir, moving away from the Bahrain International Circuit tent used in previous years.
What is the time difference between UK and Bahrain for the darts?
Bahrain is 3 hours ahead of the UK. A 7:00 PM start in Bahrain means a 4:00 PM start for UK viewers.
How much does the winner of the Bahrain Darts Masters get?
The champion receives £30,000. The total prize pot for the event is £100,000.
Will there be a Nine-Darter in Bahrain?
It is highly possible. Luke Littler hit a historic nine-darter here in 2024. The warm air in Bahrain often helps darts fly through the air more smoothly, which many players find conducive to high scoring.
Are tickets still available for the EWB event?
As of match day, VIP tables are sold out, but limited tiered seating may be available via the Bahrain International Circuit official box office.
Final Verdict
The Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 is poised to be the most competitive edition yet. The move to the Exhibition World Bahrain signals the PDC’s intent to make this a flagship stop on the tour, not just a warm-up.
For the purists, the Littler vs. Lim clash is a sentimental highlight. For the punters, the aggressive Asian qualifiers offer genuine value against potentially jet-lagged seeds. But for everyone watching on ITV4, it’s simply the return of the arrows.
Don’t miss a dart. Coverage begins at 16:00 GMT.
[Official PDC Live Score Centre]
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