The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 celebrates Britain’s top sporting achievers in a landmark year of major titles, breakthrough stars, and historic moments.
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 is set to cap another thrilling year of British sport, celebrating the standout individuals who have left an mark on their sport.
Now in its 71st year, the SPOTY award remains one of the most prestigious accolades in UK sport, honouring athletes whose performances have captured the public imagination.
Voted for by the public and broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer, the December ceremony showcases the very best of British talent across a wide range of sports, from golf majors and Grand Slams to Rugby World Cups and record-breaking athletics.
With Chloe Kelly, Rory McIlroy, Lando Norris and Hannah Hampton among the early frontrunners, SPOTY 2025 promises to be a fascinating celebration of the year’s biggest sporting stories.
Here’s everything you need to know about this iconic event and its top contenders.
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Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Winner Odds
| SPOTY Winner | Odds |
|---|---|
| Chloe Kelly | 11/10 |
| Rory McIlroy | 5/2 |
| Hannah Hampton | 8/1 |
| Lando Norris | 14/1 |
| Luke Littler | 20/1 |
| Ellie Kildunne | 33/1 |
Stay up to date with the latest odds for the 2025 SPOTY as they are updated here.
Who is the Favourite to Win Sports Personality of the Year 2025?
Chloe Kelly has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with her odds shortening to as low as 10/11 following a sensational UEFA Women’s Euro campaign.
The Arsenal forward was instrumental in England’s successful title defence, netting the decisive penalty in the final shootout against Spain, providing a vital assist for Alessia Russo’s equaliser, and scoring key goals in both the semi-final and quarter-final.
Her redemption arc, from struggling for game time at Manchester City and contemplating quitting football, to winning the Women’s Champions League and starring for the Lionesses, has captured the public’s imagination.
With no Olympics or men’s World Cup this year, women’s football takes centre stage, and Kelly’s clutch performances make her a compelling SPOTY contender.
Rory McIlroy now finds himself as the second favourite for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award, despite delivering one of the most significant moments in modern golf history with his long-awaited victory at the Masters.
By finally conquering Augusta National after years of near misses, McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam, joining an elite club of just six golfers and becoming the first European to achieve the feat.
While this alone makes for a compelling SPOTY case, golf’s modest record in the award, with just two winners in 71 years and none since Nick Faldo in 1989, is a hurdle.
McIlroy’s own ambivalence toward SPOTY, having previously labelled it a “popularity contest” and skipped ceremonies, could also soften public backing.
His odds have drifted slightly (5/2 best price from 4/7) as Chloe Kelly’s Euros heroics steal the spotlight, but with the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil in September, a standout performance there could yet propel him back into contention.
Sports Personality of the Year Nominees
The nominees for the Sports Personality of the Year Award will be announced in early December.
The current top contenders:
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Rory McIlroy (Golf) – Won the 2025 Masters to complete the career Grand Slam; also secured the Race to Dubai title and remains a top-ranked golfer.
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Lando Norris (Formula 1) – Won back-to-back races in Austria and at Silverstone; currently contending for the 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship.
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Luke Littler (Darts) – Became the youngest-ever PDC World Darts Champion in January; also won the UK Open and topped the Premier League table.
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Chloe Kelly (Football) – Key England Lionesses player at the 2025 Women’s Euros; known for her iconic 2022 Euros-winning goal, she scored the winner in the 2025 semi-final vs Italy to send England to their second consecutive Euro final.
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Hannah Hampton (Football) - England women goalkeeper at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, where she saved two penalties in the final shootout against Spain and produced decisive stops in earlier knockout rounds. Nicknamed “The Wall” by fans, she also enjoyed a stellar domestic season with Chelsea, winning a historic treble.
When is Sports Personality of the Year 2025?
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 ceremony is expected to take place in mid-December, most likely on Tuesday 16 or Wednesday 17 December, based on previous scheduling patterns.
While the exact date and venue are yet to be confirmed, the event is traditionally broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM GMT. Final details are usually announced in late November or early December.
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Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Location
The venue for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 ceremony has not yet been confirmed.
In 2024, the event was held at Dock10 Studios, MediaCityUK in Salford, Greater Manchester.
Once the 2025 location is officially announced, it will be updated here.
Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Voting
The winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 is determined entirely by a public vote from a shortlist selected by an expert panel.
This panel, typically chaired by the BBC Sport Director, chooses six to eight nominees based on sporting achievement, impact, and their UK connection, with the shortlist revealed in early December.
Voting opens during the live televised ceremony, expected around December 16 or 17, and is conducted via the BBC Sport website or app, telephone, or QR code.
Viewers have around 30 to 45 minutes to cast their vote after the nominees are introduced, and the winner, decided by the most votes, is announced at the end of the show.
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Sports Personality of the Year Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Christopher Chataway | Athletics |
| 1955 | Gordon Pirie | Athletics |
| 1956 | Jim Laker | Cricket |
| 1957 | Dai Rees | Golf |
| 1958 | Ian Black | Swimming |
| 1959 | John Surtees | Motorcycle racing |
| 1960 | David Broome | Show jumping |
| 1961 | Stirling Moss | Formula One |
| 1962 | Anita Lonsbrough | Swimming |
| 1963 | Dorothy Hyman | Athletics |
| 1964 | Mary Rand | Athletics |
| 1965 | Tom Simpson | Cycling |
| 1966 | Bobby Moore | Football |
| 1967 | Henry Cooper | Boxing |
| 1968 | David Hemery | Athletics |
| 1969 | Ann Jones | Tennis |
| 1970 | Henry Cooper | Boxing |
| 1971 | Princess Anne | Eventing |
| 1972 | Mary Peters | Athletics |
| 1973 | Jackie Stewart | Formula One |
| 1974 | Brendan Foster | Athletics |
| 1975 | David Steele | Cricket |
| 1976 | John Curry | Figure skating |
| 1977 | Virginia Wade | Tennis |
| 1978 | Steve Ovett | Athletics |
| 1979 | Sebastian Coe | Athletics |
| 1980 | Robin Cousins | Figure skating |
| 1981 | Ian Botham | Cricket |
| 1982 | Daley Thompson | Athletics |
| 1983 | Steve Cram | Athletics |
| 1984 | Torvill and Dean | Figure skating |
| 1985 | Barry McGuigan | Boxing |
| 1986 | Nigel Mansell | Formula One |
| 1987 | Fatima Whitbread | Athletics |
| 1988 | Steve Davis | Snooker |
| 1989 | Nick Faldo | Golf |
| 1990 | Paul Gascoigne | Football |
| 1991 | Liz McColgan | Athletics |
| 1992 | Nigel Mansell | Formula One |
| 1993 | Linford Christie | Athletics |
| 1994 | Damon Hill | Formula One |
| 1995 | Jonathan Edwards | Athletics |
| 1996 | Damon Hill | Formula One |
| 1997 | Greg Rusedski | Tennis |
| 1998 | Michael Owen | Football |
| 1999 | Lennox Lewis | Boxing |
| 2000 | Steve Redgrave | Rowing |
| 2001 | David Beckham | Football |
| 2002 | Paula Radcliffe | Athletics |
| 2003 | Jonny Wilkinson | Rugby union |
| 2004 | Kelly Holmes | Athletics |
| 2005 | Andrew Flintoff | Cricket |
| 2006 | Zara Phillips | Eventing |
| 2007 | Joe Calzaghe | Boxing |
| 2008 | Chris Hoy | Cycling |
| 2009 | Ryan Giggs | Football |
| 2010 | Tony McCoy | Horse racing |
| 2011 | Mark Cavendish | Cycling |
| 2012 | Bradley Wiggins | Cycling |
| 2013 | Andy Murray | Tennis |
| 2014 | Lewis Hamilton | Formula One |
| 2015 | Andy Murray | Tennis |
| 2016 | Andy Murray | Tennis |
| 2017 | Mo Farah | Athletics |
| 2018 | Geraint Thomas | Cycling |
| 2019 | Ben Stokes | Cricket |
| 2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Formula One |
| 2021 | Emma Raducanu | Tennis |
| 2022 | Beth Mead | Football |
| 2023 | Mary Earps | Football |
| 2024 | Keely Hodgkinson | Athletics |
