The Liberal Democrats Urge Ministers to Ensure Access to Historic Event for All

Ministers have been urged to guarantee that the World Darts Championship final is available to the public on free-to-air TV, following concerns about the accessibility of the event. The Liberal Democrats have described it as “scandalous” if the final, featuring 16-year-old rising star Luke Littler, is not shown on popular channels such as ITV or the BBC, in addition to its coverage on Sky Sports.

Littler, who is making history as the youngest-ever player to reach the World Darts Championship final, has captured the imagination of sports fans across the country. On Tuesday night, he secured his spot in the final with a dominant 6-2 victory over former champion Rob Cross.

Ahead of his high-profile clash on Wednesday against Luke Humphries, the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to follow the example of other major sporting events like the football, rugby, and cricket World Cups, which are made available for free to viewers.

Jamie Stone, the party’s spokesperson on culture and sports, commented: “The country is abuzz with excitement as a 16-year-old Brit prepares for the chance to become world champion. It would be an absolute disgrace for this historic match to be kept behind a paywall. If we can have free-to-air coverage of major football, rugby, and cricket finals, why should darts be any different?”

Stone went on to suggest that Sky Sports should collaborate with free-to-air broadcasters like the BBC or ITV to ensure the final reaches the widest possible audience. While it is possible for broadcasters to arrange such partnerships without government involvement, Stone encouraged ministers to step in and apply pressure where necessary.

Earlier in the tournament, a group of MPs, including Stone, had also advocated for a minister to attend the event at Alexandra Palace to show support for Littler. Stone expressed frustration that the Government had failed to send a representative, accusing them of “snobbery” towards darts.

While the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer, did send her congratulations to Littler after his semi-final win, her gesture did little to quell calls for further government involvement. Frazer praised the young player’s achievement on social media, highlighting the excitement surrounding his World Championship debut at just 16 years old.

With the final fast approaching, the debate continues over whether the historic match will be accessible to all, or whether it will be confined to a pay-to-view audience.