Paddy Power Launches £180,000 “Darts of Destiny” Charity Challenge with Prostate Cancer UK

A lucky darts fan will have the chance to step onto the famous Ally Pally stage and throw for life-changing money this Christmas, as Paddy Power launches the first-ever “Darts of Destiny” challenge in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK.

The initiative forms part of The Even Bigger 180 campaign for the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship — a fundraising effort that aims to raise more than £1 million for vital prostate-cancer research.

One member of the public will be drawn at random from entries made through the Darts of Destiny JustGiving page. That winner will take to the Alexandra Palace stage ahead of the World Darts Championship final on Saturday, January 3 2026, with nine darts to score 180 points. Succeed, and they will walk away £180,000 richer — only £20,000 less than the losing semi-finalists at the tournament.

The draw is open to anyone who donates through the campaign page, with all proceeds supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s TRANSFORM trial, the largest and most ambitious prostate-cancer screening study in more than two decades. The challenge will also run live on Sky Sports in front of thousands of fans inside the Ally Pally arena.

Paddy Power’s spokesperson said the idea combines “the thrill of darts with a cause that could save thousands of lives.”

“Most people can only dream of hitting 180 at Ally Pally — but this year someone will get the chance to actually do it and walk away £180,000 richer, all for a truly brilliant cause. We hope Darts of Destiny will encourage more men to take the super-easy risk checker and continue funding life-saving research for Prostate Cancer UK.”

Alongside the new challenge, Paddy Power will again donate £1,000 for every 180 hit during the tournament — a tradition that last year raised £907,000 (rounded up to £1 million) and £914,000 the previous year. That tally has already helped the bookmaker and the Professional Darts Corporation raise over £2 million since the partnership began, funding major breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment.

The bookmaker is also retaining the £180,000 nine-dart bonus: each time a player completes a perfect leg, the prize pot will be split three ways between the player, the charity, and one fan in the crowd. In the 2024/25 season, both Christian Kist and Damon Heta achieved televised nine-dart finishes, helping to push total donations for Prostate Cancer UK beyond £1.02 million.

Returning this year is also the Ballon d’Art trophy — awarded to the player who hits the most 180s across the tournament. World Champion Luke Littler currently holds the title after setting a record 76 maximums last year, narrowly eclipsing Luke Humphries’ 73 in the inaugural 2024 event.

But raising funds is only half of the campaign’s mission. Through The Even Bigger 180, Paddy Power, the PDC and Sky Sports are again working with Prostate Cancer UK to encourage 180,000 men to use the charity’s 30-second online risk checker. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, yet early detection is often difficult because the disease can develop without obvious symptoms.

Paddy Power Launches £180,000 “Darts of Destiny” Charity Challenge with Prostate Cancer UK

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, said:

“We’re thrilled to be back on the oche with Paddy Power this festive season as The Even Bigger 180 returns. The last two years have raised over £2 million and made men across the UK far more aware of their risk. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and too many are diagnosed too late, when it’s harder to treat. Thanks to the incredible efforts of the PDC players, backed by Paddy Power, the money raised will fund game-changing research like our TRANSFORM trial, which will help us find a safe and effective national screening programme.”

Steve Smith, Executive Director of Content at Sky Sports, added that the broadcaster’s coverage plays a key role in spreading the message.

“Sky’s platforms helped 180,000 men check their risk during last year’s Championship. We’re aiming to reach even more this time, helping to change lives through awareness.”

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter praised the growing partnership:

“The Big 180 and The Bigger 180 were the biggest charity collaborations in darts history, and it’s fantastic to see it grow again with The Even Bigger 180. With an expanded 128-player field, we’re expecting even more 180s this year. The Darts of Destiny challenge is a unique concept that could make dreams come true for one fan while supporting an incredibly important cause.”

In the UK, one man dies from prostate cancer every 45 minutes — yet early detection can dramatically improve survival rates. The TRANSFORM trial will test the most promising methods of early diagnosis, from PSA blood tests and genetic screening to rapid MRI scans, potentially paving the way for a national screening programme that could save thousands of lives.

With The Even Bigger 180 campaign returning for a third successive year, Paddy Power’s mix of sport, spectacle, and social impact ensures that this winter at Alexandra Palace, every 180 thrown could help change — or even save — a life.