Visit Maldives Corporation has announced the winner of the “Penalty to Paradise” campaign, a football-themed promotional initiative conducted in partnership with Liverpool Football Club, which offered football fans the chance to win a holiday to the Maldives through a competitive penalty shootout challenge.

The campaign brought together 50 Liverpool FC members for a sudden-death penalty competition, with participants progressing through multiple elimination rounds. After a series of high-pressure shootouts and additional challenges, including creative penalty attempts, 19-year-old Finley McGovern emerged as the final contestant, securing the top prize of an all-expenses-paid holiday to the Maldives, including accommodation at Kandima Maldives.

Speaking after his win, McGovern said he was overwhelmed by the outcome, describing himself as “speechless” following the final round. He said he plans to take his twin sister on the trip, noting that she had also participated in the competition before being eliminated earlier in the shootout stages.

According to organisers, the challenge featured several surprise elements designed to test participants under pressure, with guest appearances and side challenges introduced throughout the competition. While additional prizes were awarded during earlier rounds, the final stage saw McGovern advance through sudden death to claim the main prize.

The campaign is set to reach a wider audience with the release of a full episode documenting the challenge, which will be published across Liverpool FC’s YouTube channel and social media platforms from 22 December.

“Penalty to Paradise” is part of an ongoing global partnership between Visit Maldives Corporation and Liverpool FC, under which the Maldives has been designated the club’s Official Tourist Destination Partner for the 2025–2028 seasons. The initiative combined in-stadium digital branding at Anfield with online fan engagement activities, as part of broader efforts to promote the Maldives to international audiences through sport-related platforms.