Darts enthusiasts across the UK have just a few remaining hours to enter a unique prize draw that offers the extraordinary chance to win £180,000 on the iconic Alexandra Palace stage. The 'Darts of Destiny' initiative, run by bookmaker Paddy Power, is raising crucial funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
The Ultimate Ally Pally Challenge
Every donor to the campaign's JustGiving page is automatically entered into a draw for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The winner will get to step onto the oche at the home of the World Darts Championship and throw nine darts. If they can score more than 180 points with those darts, they will walk away with a life-changing £180,000 cash prize.
This staggering sum is only £20,000 less than the prize money awarded to the losing semi-finalists in the tournament itself. So far, the appeal has seen nearly 30,000 donations, raising over £120,000 for the charity.
A Campaign Saving Lives
'Darts of Destiny' is the latest part of Paddy Power's major partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, which has already generated more than £2 million over the past two years. It forms a key element of 'The Even Bigger 180' campaign for the 2025–26 season, backed by the Professional Darts Corporation and Sky Sports.
The wider fundraising drive includes several other mechanisms:
- Paddy Power donates £1,000 for every 180 scored during the championship, a total which passed the £1 million mark on December 30.
- A £180,000 nine-dart bonus is shared between the player, Prostate Cancer UK, and a fan in the crowd for every perfect leg.
- The 'Ballon d’Art' trophy is awarded to the player with the most 180s. World Champion Luke Littler is the current holder with 76, while Luke Humphries aims to regain it after his 2024 win.
A Vital Call to Action for Men's Health
Beyond fundraising, Paddy Power and Prostate Cancer UK are urgently calling on 180,000 men to check their risk of prostate cancer during the tournament. This follows over a quarter-of-a-million men using the online risk checker in the campaign's first two years.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with one man dying from the disease every 45 minutes. The charity urges men to take a quick, three-question online risk assessment.
Funds raised this year will support the charity's TRANSFORM trial, the largest prostate cancer screening study in two decades. This research aims to find the best method for early detection and lay the groundwork for a national screening programme.
A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: "We hope Darts of Destiny will encourage more men to take the super-easy risk checker, as well as help continue to fund life-saving research."
Laura Kerby, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, added: "Thanks to the incredible efforts of the PDC players, backed by Paddy Power, the funds raised will go towards supporting game-changing research like our TRANSFORM trial... to catch prostate cancer early and save thousands of lives."
