Sir Chris Hoy, the legendary six-time Olympic cycling champion, made an inspiring and emotional return to the public eye on January 3, 2026, at Alexandra Palace. Despite facing a series of devastating personal health challenges, Hoy took center stage to present the Sid Waddell Trophy and the Ballon d'Art at the World Darts Championship final—a gesture that resonated far beyond the world of darts.
Just weeks before his appearance, Hoy suffered a severe leg break in a mountain biking accident, an ordeal he described as the worst of his life. "I've smashed my leg up on the mountain bike, that's the worst thing that's happened recently. You just don't bounce like you do when you're younger," Hoy told Sky Sports in December. Even with his injury, the Scottish sports icon, now 49, was determined to fulfill his commitment to the event, appearing on crutches and visibly hobbling but radiating the resilience that has defined his career.
Hoy's determination is even more remarkable given his ongoing battle with stage four prostate cancer, a diagnosis he received in September 2023 but only made public a year later. The cancer has since spread to his bones, and doctors have given him between two and four years to live. Nonetheless, Hoy has approached his illness with characteristic positivity. "It's not completely stable, there's times where it comes back and then you have to change treatment. But the fortunate thing for me in my situation, there are a number of different treatments out there," he explained. He described entering "a period of kind of stability" and noted that he is responding positively to chemotherapy as of early 2026.
Hoy’s presence at the final was not just about honoring the game’s top talents; it was also about championing a cause close to his heart. As an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, Hoy has been a driving force behind the Paddy Power 'Even Bigger 180' campaign. The initiative, which donates £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum (180) scored during the championship, had already raised over £1 million before the final, with the tally reaching 1,102 180s. "Fantastic to see Paddy Power 'The Even Bigger 180' campaign raising over £1million so far for @prostatecanceruk at the World Darts Championship with four days to go. The funds raised will make a tangible difference in the fight against prostate cancer and help countless men and their families across the UK. I'm delighted to be supporting the campaign again this year and I'm looking forward to being at the Ally Pally for the final this Saturday," Hoy posted on social media earlier in the week.
In addition to the professional players, one lucky supporter was selected to compete for £180,000 on the Ally Pally stage, needing to achieve a 180 in nine darts. This opportunity was part of the Darts of Destiny campaign, which itself had generated more than £120,000 for the charity.
As the final unfolded, all eyes were on the two young finalists: England's Luke Littler and the Netherlands' Gian van Veen. Littler, still only 18, entered the match as defending champion, having stunned the sporting world the year prior with his composure and prodigious talent. Hoy, who had presented the trophy to Littler twelve months earlier, was effusive in his praise for the teenager. "What was remarkable was how Luke Littler, even if he'd been in his late 30s, early 40s, a veteran of his sport, he would still be impressive, but he was 17. It's incredible how calm he was for a guy of his age and truly remarkable," Hoy remarked to Sky Sports. "It's his coolness under pressure, but relative to his age. That was the unique thing that stood out and the way he just seemed so unaffected by it. He seemed so normal and I think when we usually see our sporting heroes, they seem different to us, they're a different breed. Yet he just seemed to walk up and be unaffected by this cavalcade, chaos around him."
Littler’s path to the final was nothing short of dominant. He swept aside Krzysztof Ratajski 5-0 in the quarter-finals and dispatched Ryan Searle 6-1 in the semis. His Dutch rival, van Veen, had also impressed, notably defeating defending champion Luke Humphries 5-1 in the quarter-finals. Heading into the final, Littler had chalked up 57 maximums, while van Veen had registered 48. Gary Anderson, though out of the tournament, led the overall 180 count with 59.
The final itself was a showcase of Littler’s ever-growing prowess. He overcame a shaky start, dropping the first set, but quickly found his rhythm. "I started playing a bit better from there (set three), obviously the first set, I wasn't happy going into the break 1-0 down, but I just had to kick on from there. I said to myself again just give it time, you'll find it. I started off at the left of the oche, I moved over to the right and it all came to plan," Littler told Sky Sports after his victory. He acknowledged van Veen’s strong performance, saying, "Gian, what a tournament, he can be very happy with himself, in every set, he was there, he was behind me and I had to take my chances."
In the end, Littler triumphed 6-1, becoming the first player since Gary Anderson in 2016 to defend the World Darts Championship title. The win made him only the fourth player ever to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy, joining the ranks of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Anderson. Littler also pocketed a life-changing £1 million, as the prize fund had doubled for this edition of the championship. "It's lifechanging, absolutely life changing, but this win has increased the gap to Luke Humphries and I'm clear as World number one," he said. Asked what his first purchase would be, Littler laughed, "I don't know, I can't change car yet. We'll have to see."
The final was not without its quirks—a wasp made an unexpected return to the Ally Pally, and a cut on van Veen’s hand left a trace of blood on the board. But nothing could distract from the dominant display by Littler and the emotional significance of Hoy’s presence.
For Hoy, the night was a testament to his unyielding spirit. "It's been a funny couple of years, but it changes your perspective on everything, and you learn to kind of live more in the moment. In that respect, I'm doing really well. I've had a bit of a tumble on the mountain bike, which wasn't ideal, but apart from that... you just get on with life," he reflected on The Sports Agents podcast. "It's not easy but you find your way through and once you do, you recognise that you're still in the same position. None of us know what's going to happen in the future."
As the confetti settled at Alexandra Palace, the darts world celebrated not just a new champion, but the enduring courage of a sporting legend. Sir Chris Hoy’s return, marked by perseverance and hope, served as a powerful reminder of the impact athletes can have—on and off the stage.