Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic cycling legend, made a stirring return to the public eye at Alexandra Palace on January 3, 2026, as he presented both the Sid Waddell Trophy and the Ballon d’Art at the World Darts Championship final. This appearance was nothing short of extraordinary, coming just weeks after Hoy suffered a serious leg fracture in a mountain biking accident and while he continues his high-profile battle with terminal prostate cancer. At 49, Hoy’s resilience and optimism have become as celebrated as his athletic achievements, inspiring both the sports community and the wider public.
Hoy’s journey to the Alexandra Palace stage this weekend has been marked by both physical and emotional challenges. Only a year after revealing his Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, which doctors have estimated gives him two to four years to live, Hoy faced another setback in the form of a severe cycling injury. “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 2025, reflecting on the accident that left him relying on crutches and hobbling about. Yet, as he added, “By the time I’m there for the darts final on January 3, hopefully I’ll be a bit more mobile.”
His determination to fulfill his commitment to present the trophies, despite these hurdles, has been widely lauded. Hoy’s first public appearance since the accident was greeted with a rousing ovation from fans and players alike, a testament to the deep respect he commands across sporting disciplines. The moment was not just a celebration of darts excellence but also a powerful statement about courage in the face of adversity.
This year’s World Darts Championship final brought together two of the tournament’s most electrifying performers: Luke Littler and Gian van Veen. With a newly doubled prize of £1 million on the line, the stakes were higher than ever. Littler, who had already racked up a remarkable 57 maximums (the coveted 180 scores) throughout the tournament, was looking to cap off an impressive run. His Dutch rival, van Veen, was no less formidable, having tallied 48 maximums and notched a commanding 5-1 victory over defending champion Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals. Humphries, last year’s Ballon d’Art recipient with 73 maximums, had set a high bar, but van Veen’s performance ensured that this year’s final would be fiercely contested.
As the drama unfolded on stage, the championship was about more than just sport. It became a platform for raising awareness and funds for men’s health, particularly prostate cancer. Tournament sponsor Paddy Power, in partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation’s official charity Prostate Cancer UK, pledged £1,000 for every maximum scored during the event. By the time of the final, this initiative had already generated over £1 million in donations—a remarkable achievement that underscored the community’s commitment to making a difference. “Fantastic to see Paddy Power’s ‘The Even Bigger 180’ campaign raising over £1 million for @prostatecanceruk at the World Darts Championship with four days to go,” Hoy remarked. “The funds raised will make a tangible difference in the fight against prostate cancer and help countless men and their families across the UK.”
Hoy’s advocacy for prostate cancer research has become a central part of his public life since his diagnosis. He has used his platform to encourage men to seek early detection and to support those undergoing treatment. Reflecting on his own experience, Hoy shared, “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, as there are for any men with prostate cancer. Once you’ve got past the diagnosis, which for me was over two years ago, now the first part of that is pretty grim and then you start treatment. Then, if you’re lucky like me, you respond to the treatment and then you enter a period of kind of stability.”
That sense of hope and perseverance was palpable at Alexandra Palace. Even as he continues chemotherapy and faces an uncertain prognosis, Hoy’s positive outlook has inspired countless fans. His presence at the championship was not just symbolic—it was a rallying cry for awareness, research, and support for those battling prostate cancer. The funds raised during the tournament will, as Hoy emphasized, “make a tangible difference” in the lives of many.
The championship itself was a showcase of world-class darts. Littler, whose 57 maximums were among the highest in the tournament, entered the final as a favorite, having previously received both trophies from Hoy the year before. Van Veen’s journey to the final was equally impressive, highlighted by his upset over Humphries and a consistent display of high-scoring throws. Gary Anderson, meanwhile, set a new tournament record with 59 maximums, though his run concluded before the final showdown.
The Ballon d’Art trophy, awarded to the player with the most 180s, has quickly become one of the championship’s most coveted honors. Last year, Luke Humphries earned the inaugural award after hitting 73 maximums out of a record 914 total for the tournament. This year, the race for the top spot was tighter, with Littler and van Veen pushing each other to new heights. The anticipation around who would claim the trophy added an extra layer of excitement to an already electric atmosphere.
Beyond the statistics and the spectacle, the 2026 World Darts Championship final will be remembered for its spirit of unity and resilience. Sir Chris Hoy’s journey—from Olympic glory to personal health battles and back to the spotlight—served as a powerful reminder of the strength found in community and the importance of supporting one another. His words, actions, and example resonated with everyone present, turning a night of darts into something much more meaningful.
As the championship concluded, the sense of accomplishment was shared by players, fans, and organizers alike. Whether it was the thrill of a perfectly thrown dart, the generosity of a charitable campaign, or the courage of a sporting icon, the evening at Alexandra Palace proved that the world of sports is about more than just winning—it’s about coming together, overcoming obstacles, and making a difference where it matters most.