Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy is set to return to the PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace in 2026, exactly a year after he handed the famous trophy to teenage sensation Luke Littler.
The Team GB icon, who won six Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles during his glittering cycling career, attended the world darts final for the first time last year – and the experience clearly stayed with him. Speaking ahead of this year’s championship, Hoy admitted he was blown away not just by Littler’s talent, but by his composure under pressure.
Reflecting on Littler’s historic world title win at just 17, Hoy said what struck him most was how effortlessly calm the teenager appeared on the biggest stage in darts. He explained that even if Littler had been in his late 30s or early 40s, with decades of experience behind him, his performance would still have been impressive – but to show that level of control at such a young age was extraordinary.
Hoy said: “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.”
He went on to underline how mentally demanding darts can be, noting that it often takes decades not only to master the skill, but to cope with the pressure that comes with it. “His age is the first thing that catches your attention and the fact that a sport that requires such skill normally takes decades to not just master, but to deal with the pressure,” Hoy said, adding that the mental side of the game is just as important as technical ability.
What impressed him most, however, was Littler’s apparent immunity to the chaos around him. Hoy said it was Littler’s coolness under pressure, relative to his age, that made him stand out, explaining that the young star seemed completely unaffected by the noise, expectation and intensity of the occasion. He noted that sporting heroes often feel like a different breed, removed from normal life, yet Littler appeared disarmingly ordinary as he walked onto the stage. According to Hoy, there was no visible weight on his shoulders – he simply embraced the moment. Crucially, Hoy stressed it wasn’t a one-off, pointing out that Littler has continued to perform at the highest level ever since, describing him as “a true marvel”.
Hoy’s return to Ally Pally this year is about far more than admiration for a rising star. He will be back in his role as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, with tournament sponsor Paddy Power teaming up with the charity for its Even Bigger 180 campaign. The initiative pledges £1,000 for every 180 thrown during the tournament and £180,000 for every nine-dart finish, helping raise life-changing funds.
Sharing his pride in the campaign on social media, Hoy said it was fantastic to see the initiative raise over £1 million with several days still to go. He explained that the funds would make a tangible difference in the fight against prostate cancer, helping countless men and their families across the UK, and said he was delighted to support the campaign again and was looking forward to being back at Alexandra Palace for the final.
Away from the darts spotlight, Hoy has continued to speak openly about his health after revealing his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in October 2024, having first shared earlier that year that he was undergoing treatment. Despite being told he may only have two to four years to live, Hoy has recently said he is responding positively to treatment and remains focused on living life fully.
He is also recovering from a broken leg following a serious mountain bike accident. Speaking candidly about how he is coping, Hoy said: “I’m doing all right. 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…”
He added that anyone who has faced a serious health diagnosis goes through a period of acceptance before finding a way forward. “You go through that initial period of getting to the stage of acceptance and then you just get on with life,” he said, explaining that having young children and responsibilities makes that mindset even more important. “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.”