ITV has lost the broadcasting rights for four iconic sporting events in 2026, with its snooker coverage set to take a significant hit. Despite having an extensive sports portfolio, which boasts this summer’s World Cup, the broadcaster will no longer air the Players Championship and Tour Championship.
ITV had previously announced a one-year extension to show the World Snooker Tour events in September 2024. The broadcast rights for these competitions have since been snapped up by Channel 5, which will also host the British Open, dealing a further blow to ITV. Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer for 5 and Paramount UK, expressed his delight at the deal: “We are delighted to bring the World Snooker Tour to 5.”
He added: “The Tour Championship, Players Championship and British Open are top ranking tournaments featuring the world’s best players and making them available to view on free-to-air TV continues our mission to keep elite live sport accessible for fans across the UK.”
In September, World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson said: “We are delighted to be working with 5 for the first time and to add a new broadcaster to our tour. Snooker has a long history of providing fans with free-to-air events with extensive live coverage so this is fantastic news for everyone who follows our sport.
“The Players Championship and Tour Championship are elite events contested only by the best of the best. Players are striving all season to climb the one year list and earn a place in these prestigious tournaments.
“And from 2026, 5 will also broadcast the British Open which is a historic event with its own unique identity including a random draw. We look forward to working with the 5 team on these events and ensuring that an outstanding product is delivered to snooker’s consistently huge audience.
“Our sport had incredible viewing figures throughout last season and we expect to see that trend continue as we grow across the world.”
The three snooker competitions aren’t the only sporting spectacles leaving ITV this year. Warner Bros Discovery and Eurosport secured a deal to broadcast the Tour de France until 2030, bringing an end to the free-to-air television coverage of the celebrated cycling race.
ITV had held the broadcasting rights for the cycling event since 2001. It has previously been reported that Warner Bros Discovery is considering the prospect of providing free-to-air coverage and highlights packages.