ITV has an extensive sporting portfolio and will show this summer’s World Cup, but has lost a number of events with rival broadcasters snapping up the rights
08:00, 10 Jan 2026Updated 12:40, 10 Jan 2026
ITV Sport will be without four sports events in 2026(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
ITV has lost the broadcasting rights for FIVE major sporting events in 2026. The broadcaster has an extensive sports portfolio, including this summer’s World Cup, but its snooker coverage will notably diminish in the New Year.
The terrestrial TV channel will no longer be showing the Players Championship and Tour Championship. The change comes after ITV only extended its snooker contract for another year in September 2024.
Channel 5 will now broadcast these World Snooker Tour events, having acquired the rights last year. In a further setback for ITV, the British Open will also switch over to the rival channel.
Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer for 5 and Paramount UK, shared his thoughts on the fresh TV deal: “We are delighted to bring the World Snooker Tour to 5.
“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.”
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In September, World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson also welcomed the partnership with Channel 5: “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.
Shaun Murphy won the British Open in September (Image: Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images)
“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.”
Tadej Pogacar won the 2025 Tour de France(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
The three snooker tournaments aren’t the only iconic sporting events leaving ITV this year. Warner Bros Discovery and Eurosport secured a deal to show the Tour de France until 2030, bringing an end to the long-standing tradition of the legendary cycling race being broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK.
ITV had held the broadcasting rights to the cycling event since 2001. Warner Bros Discovery is reportedly exploring the possibility of providing free-to-air coverage and highlights.
Meanwhile, TNT Sport have agreed a new landmark deal to broadcast the upcoming season of LIV Golf. The Saudi-backed golf league was shown to UK viewers on ITV X last year, but on the eve of the new campaign, a new deal has been reached.