BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions of the award, with golf, football, rugby, darts and Formula One all represented on a standout shortlist. The ceremony will not just crown an individual winner, but also showcase teams, young talents and global stars after an exceptional sporting year.
Main award: date, format and full shortlist
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 ceremony will be held on Thursday 18 December at MediaCity in Salford, running from 7pm to 9pm live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The show will again be fronted by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott, who guide viewers through the awards, interviews and highlight packages from the past 12 months.
The six‑name shortlist for the main Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award is:
- Rory McIlroy (Golf)
- Chloe Kelly (Football)
- Lando Norris (Formula One)
- Luke Littler (Darts)
- Hannah Hampton (Football)
- Ellie Kildunne (Rugby union)
This year’s list reflects a clear theme: the dominance of England’s women’s national teams, alongside era‑defining breakthroughs from McIlroy in golf, Norris in Formula One and Littler in darts. Public voting for the main award will open during the live show, with viewers able to cast their votes online and by phone until shortly before the winner is announced near the end of the programme.
Why 2025 is such a special SPOTY year?
British sport in 2025 has been marked by three big storylines: the Lionesses retaining their European crown, the Red Roses winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil, and major individual triumphs from McIlroy, Norris and Littler. The shortlist balances those themes, ensuring that both team‑based success and individual brilliance are recognised on the same stage.
For voters, this creates a genuine dilemma: reward a long‑serving superstar finally getting over the line, such as McIlroy; back a pioneering women’s player like Kelly, Hampton or Kildunne; or recognise Norris or Littler for breaking through in global motorsport and darts. The strength and variety of the field means the public vote is expected to be close, even though bookmakers see a clear favourite.
The six contenders in detail and latest odds
Rory McIlroy – finally completing the story
Rory McIlroy enters SPOTY 2025 as the clear favourite with bookmakers, typically priced odds‑on around 4/6, 8/11 or 8/13 depending on the site. The key reason is simple: after years of near‑misses, he completed the career grand slam by winning the Masters at Augusta, securing the Green Jacket in a dramatic final round that tested his nerve and resilience.
That Masters win capped a long‑running narrative in which McIlroy had repeatedly fallen short at Augusta despite being one of the dominant players of his generation. By finally closing the deal in such pressure‑filled circumstances, he strengthened his legacy and produced one of the defining British sporting moments of the year.
McIlroy’s case does not rest on the Masters alone. Later in the year, he again led from the front in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, helping Europe win away from home in a hostile environment where he faced intense and sometimes personal abuse from sections of the crowd. His ability to respond with high‑level performances, leadership and composure in that setting has been widely praised and is often cited as the emotional heart of his SPOTY campaign.
Because McIlroy has never previously won the main SPOTY award despite multiple appearances on the shortlist, many observers see 2025 as his “now or never” moment and believe that narrative, combined with his achievements, makes him very difficult to beat. The fact that he is expected to attend the ceremony in person for the first time in years underlines that he and his camp feel this could finally be his year.
Chloe Kelly – the Lionesses’ clutch finisher
Chloe Kelly is widely seen as the main challenger to McIlroy, generally trading in the 7/2 to 9/2 range in the SPOTY betting markets. Her case is built on a remarkable Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland, where she did not start a single match but repeatedly changed games as a substitute for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses.
Kelly’s impact included scoring in the comeback against Sweden in the quarter‑finals, netting the winner against Italy in the semi‑finals, and converting the decisive penalty in the shootout victory over Spain in the final. That final win meant England became the first senior national team to win a major tournament abroad, and the game drew a UK television audience of more than 16 million – the biggest of the year.
Her personal story adds to her appeal. Frozen out at Manchester City earlier in the season, Kelly considered her future before a loan switch to Arsenal reignited her form and confidence. Her resilience in turning a difficult club situation into a defining international summer mirrors the Lionesses’ broader narrative of defiance and late drama.
Voters will also be aware that recent SPOTY winners Beth Mead and Mary Earps both came from the Lionesses, meaning Kelly could extend a powerful trend of women’s footballers leading the public vote. If voters split between McIlroy and Norris in the men’s field, Kelly’s connection to a mass audience and England’s back‑to‑back Euros triumph could push her very close to the top.
Lando Norris – Britain’s new Formula One world champion
Lando Norris arrives at SPOTY as Britain’s newest Formula One world champion after securing his maiden title at the season‑ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The McLaren driver, long regarded as one of the most talented young racers on the grid, delivered across the campaign to become the 11th British driver to win the drivers’ crown.
Earlier in the year, Norris was a double‑digit outsider in SPOTY markets, but his odds shortened dramatically once it became clear that he would take the F1 title in a tense finale. Most bookmakers now have him in the 7/2 to 5/1 range, broadly level with or just behind Kelly as McIlroy’s main competition.
Norris’ season was about more than raw speed; he had to manage the pressure of racing against Max Verstappen, deal with reliability issues at times, and navigate a potentially tricky intra‑team battle with Oscar Piastri while still emerging as the clear leader of McLaren’s campaign. His calm, self‑aware interviews after sealing the title, where he reflected on how he had grown in mental toughness without being the most aggressive driver, have helped deepen his connection with fans.
Formula One has historically done well at SPOTY when British drivers win world titles, with figures like Lewis Hamilton taking the award multiple times. Norris’ challenge is that he shares the spotlight this year with McIlroy’s long‑awaited Masters triumph and the Lionesses’ and Red Roses’ achievements, but his global reach and strong younger fanbase keep him firmly in the mix.
Luke Littler – teenage darts phenomenon
Luke Littler’s inclusion on the main SPOTY shortlist underlines just how extraordinary his last 12–18 months have been. He was already a major story in 2024 when he won Young Sports Personality of the Year and finished runner‑up for the main award, but 2025 took him to another level as he became the youngest darts world champion in history.
Littler captured the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace by beating Michael van Gerwen in the final at the age of just 17 years and 347 days, a feat that attracted huge viewing figures and global media coverage. He has not faded since then, adding major titles such as the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts and climbing to World No 1, again as the youngest player to do so.
In betting terms, Littler is seen as a lively outsider, with odds often sitting between 16/1 and 33/1 for the main award. Part of the challenge he faces is timing: his biggest breakthrough came early in the year, and SPOTY voters sometimes gravitate towards achievements that are fresher in the memory.
However, Littler’s youth, charisma and the sense that he is transforming the image of darts could still drive a strong public response. Even if he falls short of the main prize, the fact that he is simultaneously in contention for both Sports Personality and Young Sports Personality underlines his status as one of Britain’s most exciting athletes.
Hannah Hampton – England’s new No 1
Hannah Hampton steps into the space once occupied by Mary Earps as England’s standout goalkeeper and a symbol of calm under pressure. With Earps having retired from international football, Hampton took over as first‑choice keeper for the Lionesses and delivered an exceptional Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland.
She produced crucial saves throughout the tournament and was pivotal in the penalty shootout victory against Spain in the final, saving spot‑kicks from Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey. Those performances earned her widespread recognition as one of the players of the tournament and secured her a place in the official team of the competition.
At club level, Hampton enjoyed a stellar season with Chelsea, contributing to an unbeaten domestic treble that reinforced her reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the women’s game. Bookmakers regard her as a dark horse for SPOTY, with odds typically in the 20/1 to 50/1 range, but her big‑game impact and visibility with the Lionesses give her a realistic chance of polling strongly.
One possible complication is that Hampton shares the ballot with her England teammate Chloe Kelly, raising the possibility that the Lionesses vote might be split between two popular candidates. Even so, back‑to‑back SPOTY wins for England goalkeepers – following Earps – would be a striking symbol of how women’s football has reshaped the British sporting landscape.
Ellie Kildunne – Red Roses’ electric full‑back
Ellie Kildunne completes the six‑person shortlist as the representative of England’s all‑conquering Red Roses, who reclaimed the Women’s Rugby World Cup in front of a record crowd at Twickenham. Operating mainly at full‑back, she provided a constant attacking threat with her footwork, pace and ability to create something from nothing.
Kildunne’s highlight reel from the tournament includes a spectacular solo try against France in the semi‑final and England’s first try against Canada in the final, moments that captured public imagination and were shared widely on social media. Her performances across the year helped her secure the World Rugby Player of the Year award, confirming her status as one of the world’s leading women’s rugby players.
In the betting, Kildunne is a long‑shot, with prices around 66/1 or even 100/1 with some firms. However, she offers voters a chance to acknowledge the Red Roses’ dominance and the rapid growth of women’s rugby, particularly after a World Cup final played in front of around 80,000 fans at Twickenham – an attendance figure that would have seemed implausible a decade ago.
Odds picture and wider contenders in the market
While only six names are on the official SPOTY shortlist, bookmakers still quote prices for a wide range of British athletes who have had strong years, even if they have not made the final cut. Markets have, at various points, listed players such as Scott McTominay, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo, Joe Root, Katie Boulter, Tyson Fury, Lewis Hamilton, Jude Bellingham and others at large odds, typically 66/1 or 100/1 and bigger.
These extended markets reflect fan interest in multiple sports, including cricket, tennis, boxing and men’s football, even when those athletes are not realistically in contention for this year’s award. From a practical perspective, though, all serious betting and analytical focus is now on the six official nominees, with McIlroy, Kelly and Norris forming a clear leading trio.
The presence of major honours in women’s football and rugby has kept female athletes firmly in the conversation, continuing a recent SPOTY trend where women have regularly topped the public vote. At the same time, Norris’ F1 title and Littler’s darts surge ensure that traditional SPOTY staples – motorsport and individual skill sports – remain an important part of the story.
Other awards: Team, Young, World and special honours
Team of the Year – now decided by live public vote
One of the biggest format changes for 2025 is that the BBC Team of the Year award will now be decided by a public vote, not just a panel, bringing fans directly into the process for another of the night’s flagship prizes. The vote is scheduled to open ahead of the show and then remain open into the live broadcast, with the winning team announced on air.
Potential leading contenders for Team of the Year include:
- England Lionesses – retained the Women’s Euro title in Switzerland.
- England Red Roses – won the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Twickenham.
- Europe’s Ryder Cup team – triumphed away at Bethpage Black.
- British and Irish Lions – won their series against Australia.
- Liverpool – Premier League champions.
- Crystal Palace – FA Cup winners.
- Arsenal Women – winners of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
- McLaren – completed a drivers’ and constructors’ double in Formula One.
This is likely to be one of the most hotly contested categories, with strong arguments for both the Lionesses and Red Roses after landmark seasons, and significant support expected for Europe’s Ryder Cup team and McLaren given the presence of McIlroy and Norris on the main shortlist.
Young Sports Personality of the Year
The Young Sports Personality of the Year award focuses on rising stars aged 17–18 who have made a major impact on the elite stage. The three‑name shortlist for 2025 is:
- Michelle Agyemang (Football, England)
- Luke Littler (Darts, England)
- Davina Perrin (Cricket, England)
Michelle Agyemang was the breakout star of England’s Euro 2025 campaign, scoring crucial goals against Sweden and Italy and being named Young Player of the Tournament after the Lionesses’ penalty shootout win over Spain. At just 19, she emerged from being the youngest member of the squad to a central figure in some of the biggest moments of the summer.
Luke Littler’s inclusion here as well as on the main shortlist is unprecedented in recent years and recognises both his world title at Ally Pally and his rapid rise to World No 1. He is attempting to win the Young Sports Personality award for a second time after claiming it in 2024, underlining how quickly he has become one of Britain’s most recognisable sports figures.
Davina Perrin, meanwhile, has been highlighted as one of the most exciting young players in English cricket after smashing a 42‑ball century for Northern Superchargers – the fastest ever hundred in the women’s Hundred – and earning the Professional Cricketers’ Association young player of the year award. Her nomination points to the growing profile of women’s cricket and its role in the broader story of women’s sport in 2025.
World Sport Star of the Year
The World Sport Star of the Year award celebrates non‑British athletes who have delivered outstanding achievements and captured global attention. The 2025 shortlist comprises six leading names from a range of sports:
- Mariona Caldentey (Football, Spain)
- Terence Crawford (Boxing, USA)
- Armand Duplantis (Athletics, Sweden)
- Sydney McLaughlin‑Levrone (Athletics, USA)
- Shohei Ohtani (Baseball, Japan)
- Mohamed Salah (Football, Egypt)
Public voting for World Sport Star takes place online in the build‑up to the show, closing a few days before the ceremony so that the winner can be revealed live during the broadcast. Each nominee brings a different storyline: Duplantis continuing to push the pole vault world record higher, McLaughlin‑Levrone dominating the hurdles, Ohtani redefining two‑way excellence in baseball, Salah’s sustained elite form for club and country, Crawford’s victories in boxing, and Caldentey’s success with Spain in women’s football.
Betting markets currently suggest Mohamed Salah and Shohei Ohtani are among the leading contenders for this award, reflecting their huge global followings and sustained excellence at the highest level. However, the diverse nature of the shortlist means the result is far from certain and may depend on which fanbases mobilise most effectively before voting closes.
Other special awards on the night
In addition to the main, team, young and world categories, several other prestigious honours will be presented during the SPOTY 2025 programme.
- Helen Rollason Award: This celebrates outstanding achievement in the face of adversity and often goes to individuals who have used sport to inspire others while dealing with serious illness, personal loss or major challenges.
- Coach of the Year: This award recognises a coach whose leadership, tactical skill and player development have been central to a major success, whether for a club, national side or individual athlete.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Reserved for a figure whose contribution to sport spans many years, this honour typically goes to a legend whose impact extends well beyond results into culture, inspiration and influence on future generations.
The recipients of these special awards are usually chosen by panels of experts within the BBC and sporting community, rather than through a public vote, and are announced with video tributes and interviews during the show. Together, they ensure that SPOTY captures not just the headline results of 2025 but also the deeper human stories and long‑term contributions that define sport.
