The 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) Awards will be held on December 18th, 2025, so only days until we find out who the winner is!
The shortlist for the award has been announced for the award ceremony so just who did the independent panel of experts put on the shortlist of sportspeople for the award?
With only six contenders left, the winner will be determined by a public telephone and online vote.
When Is SPOTY 2025?
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 18th December 2025
SPOTY 2025 ODDS
As the clock ticks down to the much-anticipated BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) 2025, the betting markets are abuzz with activity, speculations, and shifting odds.
Below, you can find the odds (from Betfred) for the leading contenders.
Rory McIlroy – 4/7
Rory McIlroy has put together the kind of season that screams “give this man a trophy”.
Winning the Masters to finally complete the career Grand Slam, then driving Europe to Ryder Cup glory, has turned 2025 into his personal highlight reel.
Week after week he has featured on leaderboards, reminding everyone he is still the most box‑office golfer in the game.
It is little wonder he sits right at the front of the SPOTY queue.
Lando Norris – 10/3
Lando Norris has finally stepped out of the “next big thing” category and into full-blown superstar status.
In a season where he has hustled the established greats, stacked up podiums and turned qualifying into his personal playground, the McLaren star has become must‑watch TV every race weekend.
His mix of fearless racecraft, rapid consistency and social-media charm makes him the modern Formula 1 hero SPOTY voters love to get behind.
Chloe Kelly – 9/2
Chloe Kelly has become the Lionesses’ big‑moment specialist, and 2025 has only cemented that reputation.
After her famous Euros-winning goal in 2022, she delivered again at Euro 2025, nervelessly tucking home the decisive penalty in the final against Spain as England retained their title.
Add in her constant threat from the wing, relentless work-rate and cool‑as‑you‑like personality, and she feels tailor‑made for a glitzy primetime award.
Luke Littler – 25/1
Luke Littler has taken darts from the pub to the front pages again, and he has done it before even turning 19.
The teenage sensation has stormed through senior fields, launching huge averages, outrageous checkouts and a stack of titles that seasoned pros would envy.
Every time he steps on stage, the noise level goes through the roof, and you can almost see the viewing figures rising.
He is darts’ new rock star, and SPOTY loves a prodigy.
Ellie Kildunne – 33/1
Ellie Kildunne has delivered the kind of year that makes rugby highlight reels look like her personal showreel.
The England full-back has been electric with ball in hand, slicing through defences, scoring eye‑catching tries and driving her side to more silverware on the international stage.
Her fearless running style, big‑game temperament and infectious enthusiasm have turned her into one of the breakout stars of women’s rugby.
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Hannah Hampton – 100/1
Goalkeepers rarely hog the spotlight, but Hannah Hampton has kicked that old rule clean into Row Z.
She has been immense for England, producing sharp shot‑stopping, brave one‑on‑ones and ice‑cold penalty saves during the Euro 2025 run that ended with the Lionesses lifting the trophy again.
Her calm presence behind a high‑risk, attacking side has been vital, and it is refreshing to see a keeper right in the SPOTY conversation.
BETTING ON SPOTY
Betfred, the leading brand in sports betting, stands out as a favoured destination for those keen on exploring the odds and placing their bets on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
The odds above are taken from the Betfred website on 14/12/2025.
Who Won The SPOTY In 2024?
Keely Hodgkinson won BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2024.
The 800m star had a sensational season, storming to Olympic gold in Paris to upgrade her Tokyo silver and becoming one of Team GB’s standout names.
She also defended her European 800m title, underlining her dominance over the distance on both championship and circuit stages.
That golden year on the track made her a runaway winner with SPOTY voters.
Who Won The SPOTY In 2023?
Mary Earps was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023, making it back-to-back SPOTY winners for the Lionesses after team-mate Beth Mead secured the award in 2022.
The Manchester United and England goalkeeper was one of six nominees, finishing ahead of Stuart Broad (cricket), Frankie Dettori (horse racing), Alfie Hewett (wheelchair tennis), Katarina Johnson-Thompson (athletics) and Rory Mcllroy (golf).
Who Won The SPOTY In 2022?
Beth Mead made history by winning the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, becoming the first female footballer to achieve this honour.
Ben Stokes, the winner of the 2019 award and captain of the England Cricket Test team, came in second place, while curler Eve Muirhead finished third.
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 was held on December 21st at the dock10 studios in Salford.
The event was co-hosted by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott, and it was broadcast live on BBC One.
The ceremony included a special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, acknowledging her passion for sports following her passing in September that same year.
Past SPOTY Winners
Keely Hodgkinson – 2024
Keely Hodgkinson’s 2024 was pure sporting box office. Fresh from earlier near-misses on the biggest stage, she finally struck Olympic gold in the women’s 800m in Paris, bossing the race with trademark calm and a ruthless kick.
That headline moment sat on top of an unbeaten season over 800m and another European title, confirming her as the queen of two laps.
No surprise the public crowned her BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Mary Earps – 2023
Mary Earps, the formidable goalkeeper for Manchester United and the England national team, has emerged as one of the most talented and inspiring figures in women's football.
Known for her lightning-fast reflexes and fearless approach, Earps consistently delivers game-changing saves that leave fans and opponents in awe.
Mary’s journey to the top, marked by perseverance and a relentless drive to improve, has not only made her a key player in every match but also a beloved figure in the sport.
Beth Mead – 2022
Arguably the greatest female football in British history, Mead captained the England team to win the UEFA Women's Euro 2022.
She also won the Golden Boot, and was the Player of the Tournament and top assist provider with 6 goals and 5 assists in 6 matches.
Emma Raducanu – 2021
Blasting her way through three weeks of tennis in New York in 2021, Raducanu became the first British female tennis player since Virginia Wade to win the US Open since 1977.
Lewis Hamilton – 2020
One of F1's all-time great drivers, he equalled Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles with his fourth consecutive championship in 2020.
He was also knighted in 2021 and finished second in the Formula 1 Drivers Championship in 2021, behind Max Verstappen.
Ben Stokes – 2019
An incredible 2019 for Ben Stokes saw him with the award after being an integral part of England's Cricket World Cup-winning side and the Ashes squad.
Who will ever forget those incredible performances at Lords and Headingley?
Geraint Thomas – 2018
The 2018 Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas rode on a wave of public support to win the award.
He was the fourth cyclist since 2008 to win the award after Sir Chris Hoy, Mark Cavendish, and Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Mo Farah – 2017
The Olympic hero had been a 50/1 outsider with bookmakers to win the award, with the boxer Anthony Joshua considered the overwhelming favourite.
Perhaps an indication that any of the contenders can take home the 2020 award.
Sports Personality History and Trends
Sir Christopher John Chataway was the first winner of the award back in 1954. This came following a Gold Medal in the ‘3 Miles' event at the 1954 Commonwealth Games.
Bobby Moore was the first footballer to win the award in 1966; being an integral part of the first and only England football team to win a major honour clearly helped his chances.
Andy Murray currently has the most award wins with three. He won it last in 2016 when he won an Olympic Gold Medal alongside the Wimbledon title.
Since its inception, 19 SPOTY winners have come from the Athletics world, and seven winners have been footballers.
Prior to 2021, there was an obvious shortage of female recipients of the award, but that changed in 2021 when Emma Raducanu picked up the award, followed by Beth Mead in 2022, Mary Earps in 2023, and Keely Hodgkinson in 2024.
Looking through the list of winners, there seem to be specific visible trends. Being part of a successful team or event can undoubtedly increase your chances.
Bradley Wiggins took home the 2012 award, but that could have gone to any of Team GB's heroes from the 2012 Olympics.
Andrew Flintoff won in 2005 after playing an important role in England regaining the Ashes.
Tips for Sports Personality of the Year
Wait until much closer to the ceremony to pick a sports personality to back.
The outcome of the remaining sports events in any given year will have a lot to do with who gets short-listed.
Other Awards
The BBC Sports Team of the Year Award is also presented on the night. The current holders are the England National football team. Unlike the main award, it's not decided by public vote.
With many sporting competitions set to be decided over the next few months, there is plenty of time for contenders to emerge.
Head to Betfred for all the latest odds on the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year.
