The Arena MK in Milton Keynes has been confirmed as the host venue for the Winmau World Masters Darts tournament in early 2026.

32 of the world’s top darts stars will take part in the tournament, held at the arena adjacent to the MK Dons’ home stadium, with matches taking place from 29 January to 1 February 2026.

Reigning masters champion Luke Humphries is one of those confirmed as a participant as he arrives to defend his crown. Newly crowned World Champion Luke Littler has also secured his place, with further names to be confirmed as the competition draws closer.

Neil Hart, Group CEO of Stadium MK, said in a statement, “We’re thrilled to be welcoming the Winmau World Masters back to the world-class Arena MK.

“Darts has such an electric following, and this tournament brings together some of the biggest names in the sport, with Milton Keynes at the heart of the action. To have both Luke Humphries and Luke Littler among the line-up makes this an unmissable spectacle for fans.

“At Stadium MK, we’re committed to hosting a wide variety of live events that showcase sport and entertainment at the highest level. We know the passion of darts fans, and we cannot wait to see Arena MK packed out for what promises to be another unforgettable four days.”

Tickets are due to go on sale in this upcoming week. A primary pre-sale will take place for PDCTV Annual Members from Monday 22 September at 12pm, followed by a pre-sale started at 12pm on Tuesday 23 September, and then finally tickets go on general sale at 12pm on Wednesday 24 September.

Details for each of the various pre-sale windows are available on the Arena MK website.

MK Dons’ winless September continued as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat by Accrington Stanley at Stadium MK.

Isaac Sinclair’s goal had given the visitors the lead, before a controversial Alex Gilbey equaliser brought Paul Warne’s hosts level.

But Accrington sub Charlie Caton was the matchwinner, handing Stanley a first ever win at Stadium MK.

There was further despair for the Dons, meanwhile, in a game that would see defender Luke Offord sent off in stoppage time as the hosts suffered a fourth defeat at home in a row in all competitions.

Having failed to win any of their last 3 league outings and suffered a heavy defeat to the West Ham U21 team in the EFL Trophy, Paul Warne was seeking a lift as MK Dons returned to league action.

They came up against an Accrington Stanley side who were chasing back-to-back wins, having won their first match of the season at home to Colchester last time out.

Warne had rested players in midweek and duly made 11 changes from that game, with the players chosen to start their previous league outing at Chesterfield returning to start.

The Dons had made some bright early running. Aaron Nemane saw a pass intercepted when in shooting range, before Callum Paterson saw an effort trundle wide from Gilbey’s pass.

A better chance fell the way of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. The winger was picked out after making space down the left flank, and he was able to cut inside before firing in a strike well stopped by Accrington Stanley keeper Ollie Wright.

As the half wore on, however, MK Dons began to struggle for momentum, which opened the door for Accrington Stanley to begin asking questions of their own.

With 19 minutes on the clock, the visitors would duly open the scoring. Tyler Walton’s pass set up kindly for Sinclair, who charged forward and threaded a low strike into the back of the net. The strike was Sinclair’s second in as many games, having scored the only goal in their last outing.

Joe Buaress would see a long-range strike narrowly miss the target, but for much of the half, a second Accrington goal was looking likelier with the Dons seemingly getting lost when crossing halfway.

Accrington Stanley then missed two great chances in first half stoppage time. Josh Woods received Walton’s pass and saw a strike thwarted by Craig MacGillivray, then after MK Dons failed to clear the corner, Woods had another go that duly cannoned off the post.

Having got through that, MK Dons began the second half brighter, as Paterson saw a strike deflected wide.

It was from that corner that the Dons equalised, albeit in controversial fashion. After an initial cross was cleared, Marvin Ekpiteta’s prod forward seemed to be there for Wright to gather. However, he couldn’t gather the ball and it landed for Gilbey to score.

Replays suggested Paterson had shoved Walton into Wright, with Accrington adamant this was a foul, but the referee was content to allow the goal.

The Dons did not get going after equalising, however, with the visitors getting closer. Woods had a header saved by MacGillivray before ex-Dons man Charlie Brown had two strikes blocked in quick succession.

Accrington Stanley suffered a blow when Walton was stretchered off, but his replacement would end up making an impact.

Caton, who replaced Walton, was in the right place when Isaac Heath fired in a cross after a charging run, and the summer signing from Chester duly turned home his first goal for the club.

MK Dons nearly managed a quickfire equaliser as Rushian Hepburn-Murphy headed wide from Paterson’s cross.

But the Dons never really built up momentum as they sought an equaliser, with the closest they came coming when Scott Hogan had a deflected strike held by Wright.

Heath would have a strike kept out by MacGillivray in a rare moment where the visitors threatened to grab a third, before there was further misery for the Dons with a red.

Already missing several defenders through injury and suspension, the Dons saw Offord shown a second yellow for a foul on away sub Alex Henderson, and with it his dismissal in the final stages of stoppage time, with any hopes of a Dons equaliser duly being ended moments later with the final whistle.

MK Dons: MacGillivray – Lemonheigh-Evans (Hogan 80), Offord, Ekpiteta, Nemane – Crowley (Leko 87), Kelly (Collar 45), Gilbey – Mendez-Laing (Maguire 80), Paterson, Hepburn-Murphy (Thompson-Sommers 87)

Subs not used: Trueman, Medwynter

Goal: Gilbey (48)

Sent Off: Offord (90+5)

Booked: Kelly, Offord, Lemonheigh-Evans

Accrington Stanley: Wright – Smith, Matthews, Ward – Brown (Love 79), Conneely (Coyle 66), Bauress, Heath – Sinclair – Woods (Henderson 83), Walton (Caton 66)

Subs not used: Kelly, Grant, Martin

Goal: Sinclair (19)

Booked: Heath, Conneely

A planned bus worker strike by Arriva bus workers from Luton and Milton Keynes depots has been called off after a deal with their union Unite.

Unite had announced plans for a series of strikes in September and October of workers across Arriva depots in southern England, which included Luton, Milton Keynes, Stevenage, Ware and Hemel Hempstead.

16 days of strikes were announced between late September and mid-October, covering Tuesday 23 September – Friday 26 September, Wednesday 1 October – Saturday 4 October, Thursday 9 October – Sunday 12 October and Tuesday 14 October – Friday 17 October.

But after negotiations between the bus company and the union, Unite have announced they will now no longer be going ahead with the strikes after receiving a deal for the over 800 workers represented that they are content with.

Unite have said that their members have won a new pay award that will see their pay increase up to 5.8 per cent dependent on role.

In a statement, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This shows the strength of workers and the power of the union movement. Unite is the winning trade union and is putting more money into the pockets of our members.”

The union’s regional officer Jeff Hodge added, “Our members were prepared to take strike action in their fight for better pay and their determination has seen them win a new and improved pay deal. They should be congratulated for standing together against and getting a well-earned pay award.”

Luton Town were beaten 3-1 by Lincoln City after conceding two goals in the final stages of the contest.

The Hatters had got back on level terms when Jordan Clark had cancelled out Ben House’s first-half opener.

But Justin Obikwu put the hosts back in front with five minutes of the 90 to play, before House’s second in the final minute of regular time sealed the deal for the home side.

Defeat at the LNER Stadium made it back-to-back losses for Matt Bloomfield’s Hatters, who have also now lost 3 of their last 4 games. They sit 11th after 8 games, having played one game less than several of the teams around them, and are 4 points behind the play-offs in the developing third tier table.

Having lost at home to Plymouth last time out, Luton faced a tricky test on their visit to an in-form Lincoln who were unbeaten in their previous 6 outings.

Lincoln nearly found an early breakthrough courtesy of Adam Reach, who saw a sweeping free-kick rebound off the crossbar with Josh Keeley beaten.

But it would be the Imps that scored first. A precise pass by Freddie Draper sent House through, and the midfielder duly got the shot right to put Lincoln City in front.

Luton struggled to get going at first, but they were creating opportunities as the half wore on, with Nahki Wells volleying wide, Jordan Clark being denied by home keeper George Wickens and a goalmouth scramble at a corner not yielding a goal.

Lincoln responded with chances of their own after the half-time break. House would fire wide when well placed before Draper saw an effort repelled by Keeley.

Perhaps Lincoln’s best chance to make it 2-0 came with just over 15 minutes to go. Former Hatter Sonny Bradley was picked out in the six-yard box, but the defender got his shot all wrong and missed the target.

Two minutes after Bradley’s miss, Luton punished Lincoln by grabbing an equaliser. Millenic Alli received George Saville’s pass from a free-kick, and in turn, Alli fed Clark, who was able to guide a finish into the bottom corner and grab Luton an equaliser.

However, Lincoln would regain the lead 8 minutes later. Wickens’ free-kick was flicked on for Obikwu, who duly charged through to beat Keeley and score, putting the Imps back in front.

Lincoln would grab a game-clinching third late on, as Obikwu fed House to curl the ball past Keeley and had the hosts the two goal cushion.

There was no way back from that for Luton as they slid to defeat. The Hatters will seek to get back to winning ways next time out when they welcome Doncaster Rovers to Kenilworth Road next Saturday.