Darts’ New World Championship Trophy Unveiled

A new trophy has been revealed ahead of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace – the Ballon d’Art.

Although the Sid Waddell Trophy will remain the main trophy for the tournament’s eventual champion, but the new World Championship sponsors, Paddy Power, has created an additional trophy for the player who scores the most 180s during the event.

The new award is the latest addition to THE BIG 180 campaign, which will see Paddy Power donate £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum scored during the 2023/24 World Darts Championship.

Standing at almost one metre in height and weighing in at 16kgs, the Ballon d’Art will celebrate the player who raises the most money for the charity, which also aims to encourage 180,000 men across the UK to complete Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker via prostatecanceruk.org/180-risk

English darts player Michael Smith, commented, “We don’t need much encouragement when it comes to scoring 180s at the World Championship, but to know each one will trigger a £1,000 donation to Prostate Cancer UK is another fantastic incentive for us.”

“Prostate cancer has never been on my radar, but hearing the disease affects one in eight men is a shocking statistic. Men need to be more aware of their risk of prostate cancer, and I include myself in that, as if caught early it’s curable.” 

Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive Laura Kerby, added, “We are thrilled to become the official charity partner of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship and thank Paddy Power and the PDC for uniting the darts community as we target this disease head on. 

“This iconic tournament is a sporting staple across the festive period, and THE BIG 180 will put us at the heart of the action. The Ballon d’Art will celebrate the darts player who raises the most money for Prostate Cancer UK via THE BIG 180 campaign one maximum at time.”