A shortlist of six contenders has been announced for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, highlighting an exceptional year in sports. The nominees include England footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union player Ellie Kildunne, darts prodigy Luke Littler, celebrated golfer Rory McIlroy, and Formula 1 sensation Lando Norris.
Voting for the prestigious award will take place during a live broadcast on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer on Thursday, 18 December. The event, hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Clare Balding from MediaCityUK in Salford, promises to be a celebration of 12 months of remarkable sporting achievements.
Celebrating a Year of Sporting Excellence
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, remarked, “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.”
In addition to the main award, the public will also decide the Team of the Year, with contenders to be announced later in the month. Other accolades to be presented include Young Sports Personality of the Year, Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Helen Rollason Award. The World Sport Star award, for which voting is already open, will also be part of the evening’s honors.
Meet the Nominees
Rory McIlroy: Completing the Grand Slam
At age 36, Rory McIlroy has had a year to remember. After years of near misses, McIlroy’s victory at the Masters made him only the sixth man in history to complete a Grand Slam of all four major championships. His dramatic play-off triumph at Augusta was his first major victory since 2014.
McIlroy’s success didn’t stop there. At the Ryder Cup, he overcame a hostile crowd to contribute three-and-a-half points, leading Europe to victory in the United States for the first time since 2012. Further wins at the Players Championship, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Irish Open culminated in his seventh Race to Dubai title.
Lando Norris: A Season to Remember
At just 26, Lando Norris has made history by becoming the 11th Briton to win a Formula 1 drivers’ championship in what was the closest season finish in 15 years. Driving for McLaren, Norris was 34 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri after 15 races. However, a brilliant run of results, including back-to-back wins in Mexico and Brazil, propelled him to the top.
“In finishing third in Abu Dhabi, Norris held his nerve to secure McLaren’s first drivers’ championship since 2008, ending the season just two points clear of Verstappen.”
Looking Ahead
The announcement of the nominees comes as sports fans eagerly anticipate the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, a staple of the British sporting calendar. The event not only honors individual excellence but also celebrates the collective achievements of teams and coaches who have made significant contributions to their sports.
As the public prepares to cast their votes, the anticipation builds around who will take home the coveted title. With a diverse range of athletes from different sports, the 2025 awards promise to be one of the most competitive and exciting yet.
As the world tunes in on December 18, the spotlight will shine on these extraordinary athletes, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the sporting landscape of 2025.
