The BIGGER 180 charity campaign at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship has seen a huge £1,027,000 donated to Prostate Cancer UK following an incredible tournament.
Paddy Power again supported Prostate Cancer UK with their charity activity at the World Darts Championship, which was held from December 15-January 3 at London's Alexandra Palace.
The £1 million donated from the 2023/24 tournament was surpassed during this year's event, with The BIGGER 180 proving a huge success.
Over 160,000 people used Prostate Cancer UK's online risk-checker during the tournament - taking the 30-second questionnaire which can quickly highlight the risk of being amongst the one in eight men who will get prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men.
Paddy Power also pledged £1,000 per 180 hit during the tournament, which saw 907 maximums achieved across the 16 days of play - with a running total shown live during the Sky Sports coverage.
In addition, a £60,000 bonus was paid to Prostate Cancer UK for every nine-darter achieved in the event by the Irish Bookie - with both Christian Kist and Damon Heta landing a perfect leg to trigger an additional £120,000 donation. Both players, and two lucky fans also pocketed £60,000 apiece thanks to the supercharged bonus.
Funds raised from the BIGGER 180 campaign during the Paddy Power World Darts Championship supported Prostate Cancer UK's ground-breaking TRANSFORM trial. As the UK's most ambitious prostate cancer screening trial in over 20 years, TRANSFORM will find the best way to diagnose the disease early - and pave the way for a national screening programme that will save as many lives as possible.
Chiara De Biase, Director of Health Services, Equity & Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "What a fantastic few weeks at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship and we send our heartfelt congratulations to Luke Littler for his spectacular win on Friday night.
"Luke has worn the Prostate Cancer UK logo on his shirt throughout the tournament and has also helped raised £76,000 by hitting a tournament best of 76 180s, helping us raise a remarkable £1,027,000 in total.
"With every maximum thrown by both players in the final, as well as an amazing 907 from the world's top players since December 15, not to mention two incredible nine-darters which raised an added £120,000, The BIGGER 180 campaign has made a massive difference to men affected by prostate cancer – and their loved ones too. We are hugely grateful to Paddy Power for their support throughout the campaign.
"Thanks to all the sharp-shooting players, the £1,027,000 will support our ground-breaking screening trial, TRANSFORM. Led by world-leading experts, TRANSFORM will find the best way to screen men for the disease - so that one day all men will be invited for regular tests and more men will find it early enough to be cured.
"As well as the sensational fundraising, we're proud that more than 158,000 men have completed our online risk checker making this a truly life-changing campaign."
Paddy Power said: "We thought the first Paddy Power World Darts Championship last year was big but 2025 went into a whole new stratosphere.
"Darts really is the people's sport. TV viewing figures have gone through the roof and for those lucky enough to attend, it really is the hottest ticket in town.
"We see being sponsor of this great event as a privilege - and with it comes great expectation to make sure everyone coming to Ally Pally has the greatest night of their year.
"The Paddy Power team have worked exceptionally hard to take that fan experience to unprecedented levels and judging by the feedback we've got over the last few weeks, especially from those spending time in our fan village, we've managed to once again do that.
"But while the night out is important - and it really, really is - our BIGGER 180 campaign with Prostate Cancer UK is what makes this a sponsorship like no other.
"We offered a £180,000 bonus for every nine-darter - shared between player, fan and Prostate Cancer UK - while once again we committed to donating £1,000 for every 180. Thanks to the sharp-shooting of Damon Heta and Christian Kist, two fans went away £60,000 richer and another £120,000 was put into a cheque for Prostate Cancer UK.
"All in all, Paddy Power donated £1,027,000 to the charity, which will help fund the TRANSFORM trial. Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men and TRANSFORM will find the best way to test for prostate cancer, so we can be sure which is the most effective method for a nationwide screening programme that could save thousands of lives every year.
"We also joined forces with Sky Sports to call on 180,000 men to check their risk for prostate cancer. More than 150,000 have done so so far - and with Sir Chris Hoy leading the calls as a campaign ambassador, that number continues to rapidly rise.
"It's been a huge few weeks for darts and men’s health, and everyone at Paddy Power is excited to see where it goes next."
Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy was an ambassador for The BIGGER 180, presenting the Sid Waddell Trophy as well as the Ballon d'Art trophy to new World Champion Luke Littler following Friday's final - with the teenager hitting 76 180s during the tournament.
"After raising more than £1million through The BIGGER 180 campaign, we are now one big step closer to making a long-lasting and meaningful change to men's health by helping to fund Prostate Cancer UK's TRANSFORM trial," said Sir Chris Hoy.
"That huge sum Paddy Power are donating will make a big difference to the lives of thousands of men. It’s a huge step forward.
"Around 40% of men who currently die from prostate cancer could be saved by a screening programme. The response to early-stage treatment is really good, but without noticeable symptoms, effective screening is the only way of detecting it in time to save lives.
"The TRANSFORM trial will aims to find the best way to test men for prostate cancer, so we can be sure which is the most effective method for a nationwide screening programme that could save thousands of lives every year. This massive cash injection can have an impact on men's lives for years to come.
"The amazing efforts from the world's best darts players along with the generosity of Paddy Power in putting up the cash can lead to better outcomes for men affected by this disease. It's a game-changer, and I'm grateful to everyone who has contributed to this achievement.
"More than 150,000 men have also taken the active step of checking their risk of prostate cancer too. When it comes to health, too many of us go quiet. That has to change, and I hope this campaign has proven how easy it is to get yourself checked.
"It takes just 30 seconds using Prostate Cancer UK's easy-to-use online risk checker, and it could save your life."
About the TRANSFORM trial & Prostate Cancer Risk Awareness
• The TRANSFORM trial will test several different methods of screening for prostate cancer.
• This will lead us to a screening programme that will help more men get diagnosed in the early stages, when it's easier to treat. This could save thousands of lives every year.
• Prostate cancer doesn't usually have symptoms in the early stages, so it’s important to know your risk.
• Your risk of prostate cancer is higher if you’re over 50, if you’re Black, or have a family history of the disease.
• To save more lives, Prostate Cancer UK need the rules to change. The government needs to urgently review the NHS guidelines because they are dangerously out of date.
• NHS guidelines should be updated so GPs can proactively offer a PSA blood test to men over 50. And for Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, they should lower that age to 45.
• In the meantime, men can check their risk using Prostate Cancer UK’s 30-second online risk checker. Check your risk in 30 seconds at this link: https://prostatecanceruk.org/180-risk