Reigning PDC World Champion Luke Littler will swap arrows for a carbon-fibre rod this summer as he leads a star-studded cast for the Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship 2026 – the UK’s biggest annual charity fishing event.
The hugely popular occasion sees sporting icons from the worlds of darts, snooker, boxing, football and rugby come together, with world number one Luke Littler heading the field. The newly crowned Premier League champion will be competing at the event for the third consecutive year – and it remains the one trophy The Nuke has yet to claim.
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Joining the darts sensation will be legendary promoter and Matchroom Sport founder Barry Hearn, British boxing hero Tony Bellew, unbeaten rising star Francesca Hennessey, who arrives fresh from victory at Wembley on Saturday, former Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman, and current Bristol Bears and England rugby international Ellis Genge.
The Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship will see 32 sporting personalities and guests divided into eight teams of four as they battle to become both singles and team champions. Further sporting stars set to take part will be revealed over the next eight weeks.
Each week, the team behind the Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship 2026 will announce four additional names from the sporting world across their social media channels, with more household names set to cast off this summer.
The event will raise a minimum of £40,000 for several charities, including the Willow Foundation and the Ricky Hatton Foundation.
Darts Stars Feature in Charity Fishing Championship 2026
Event organiser and chairman of JBD Media & Events, Jess Harding said: “The Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship 2026 is a much-loved event that is getting bigger and bigger every year. We’re privileged that titans from the sporting world want to get stuck in, and although it’s a fun charity event, the competitors are used to operating at an elite level – everyone wants to win!”
Fishing is one of the great British pastimes and continues to soar in popularity, especially among younger people, with Harding offering a reason on its increasing popularity: “The beauty of fishing is that anyone can take part and has a chance of reeling something in, particularly at our competition lake. Last year, someone who had never fished before won the singles title – that’s why we love it.”
Barry Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman added: “Everyone who knows me, knows I love to win. The competition at the Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship 2026 gets fiercer every single year.”
Each year, the event raises vital funds for charities and will raise £40,000 that will be shared with lead charity partner The Willow Foundation, established by Arsenal and England legend Bob Wilson and supporting charities St Francis Hospice, Haven House, the Ricky Hatton Foundation and Alex – The Leukodystrophy Charity.
Bob Wilson founder of the Willow Foundation said: “We’re extremely grateful that the team at Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship continues to support the vital work of the Willow Foundation. The event brings together some of the biggest names from the world of sport and we thank all the competitors and sponsors in creating this ’special day’ which allows us to create our own Willow Special Days that provide hope, smiles, and an experience to remember for young adults living with life-threatening illnesses in the UK.”
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The Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship 2026 is scheduled to take place at Tunnel Barn Farm in Warwick on July 28.
The event is not open to the public, so stay tuned to our social media channels and right here for further updates.
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Images: Supplied by Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship
