SOCCER PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
SOCCER PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
Heralded as one of the most recognized and revered voices in soccer, Ian Darke joins FOX Sports as lead play-by-play announcer in Germany for the network’s dedicated presentation of the UEFA EURO 2024™ tournament. Darke made his debut with FOX Sports as a celebrated commentator at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Darke made his FIFA World Cup™ debut on America television with ABC and ESPN at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™ before going on to call matches for the networks at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany™ and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. He also called 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ matches for the world feed and covered 1982 and 1990 FIFA World Cup™ events for BBC Radio and Eurosport.
Darke’s profession in broadcasting began more than 40 years ago at BBC Radio, where he hosted the renowned "Sports Report" show on Saturday afternoons. Working with the BBC for a decade, he won the admiration of listeners and viewers alike before landing a role calling soccer and boxing matches with Sky Sports in 1992. His rewarding run as a commentator with Sky Sports lasted 20 years.
In 2010, Darke joined ESPN as a play-by-play announcer and has since been a mainstay on the network’s soccer telecasts. He captured the hearts of American soccer fans that same year when he called Landon Donovan’s injury-time goal against Algeria, which saved the United States from elimination and helped them advance to the World Cup knockout stage amid wild scenes of joy around the nation. He also currently serves as lead commentator for Barclays Premier League and other major European league matches on BT Sport in the United Kingdom.
