The BBC has announced a six-person shortlist for its Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award, featuring an equal split of men and women after a year of exceptional sporting achievements. Public voting will take place during the live broadcast on Thursday, December 18, from MediaCityUK in Salford on BBC One and iPlayer.
The nominees are Hannah Hampton (25, football), Chloe Kelly (27, football), Ellie Kildunne (26, rugby union), Luke Littler (18, darts), Rory McIlroy (36, golf), and Lando Norris (26, Formula 1). The show will be hosted by an all-female presenting team of Gabby Logan, Clare Balding, and Alex Scott.
McIlroy favourite despite past criticism
Rory McIlroy enters as the bookmakers' favourite at 8/13 odds, with Chloe Kelly second at 10/3 and Lando Norris third at 7/2. The Northern Irishman will attend the ceremony for the first time in a decade.
McIlroy has previously dismissed the award as a "popularity contest," stating last January: «I forgot I was nominated, so that's how much I think about it. It's a popularity contest and I think it's just not really what it once was.» He snubbed the 2023 ceremony despite being nominated and lost to Lewis Hamilton in 2014.
Outstanding year across sports
Hampton won the Yashin Trophy as world's best female goalkeeper and saved two penalties in England's European Championship final victory. She was named Player of the Match and contributed 13 clean sheets in 22 WSL games for Chelsea's domestic treble.
Kelly scored the decisive penalty for England to retain the European Championship and was central to Arsenal's Champions League success. She finished fifth in Women's Ballon d'Or voting despite not starting a match in the tournament.
Kildunne scored five tries in England's Women's Rugby World Cup victory on home soil, including twice in the semi-final against France and a solo try in the final against Canada before a world-record crowd. She had earlier scored four tries in England's Six Nations Grand Slam win.
Historic achievements for young stars
Littler became the youngest world champion in darts history at 17, then won the World Matchplay and November's Grand Slam of Darts. He rose to world number one at 18, breaking Michael van Gerwen's previous record set at 24.
McIlroy won the Masters to become the sixth man to complete a Grand Slam of golf's four major championships, securing his first major victory since 2014. He contributed three-and-a-half points at the Ryder Cup as Europe won in America for the first time since 2012, and capped the year with his seventh Race to Dubai title.
Norris became the 11th Briton to win a Formula 1 drivers' championship in the closest season finish in 15 years. He overcame a 34-point deficit to Oscar Piastri after 15 races with consecutive wins in Mexico and Brazil, securing McLaren's first drivers' championship since 2008 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Celebrating sporting excellence
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: «This has been a breathtaking year for sport, driven by athletes whose performances belong in the history books. Each one has delivered moments of pure brilliance that have defined 2025. It's been incredible to watch, and I can't wait to honour their achievements, and to see who the nation chooses as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025.»
The ceremony will also present Team of the Year (decided by live public vote for the first time), Young Sports Personality of the Year, Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, the Helen Rollason Award, and World Sport Star. The top three contenders for Young SPOTY are Michelle Agyemang (football), Luke Littler (darts), and Davina Perrin (cricket).
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
