The BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist has been announced and this year’s lineup features some of the biggest names in British sport after a record-breaking 12 months.
Football heroes, a darts phenomenon, a golfing history-maker and Britain’s newest Formula 1 world champion are all in the running as the BBC prepares to crown the nation’s favourite athlete live from MediaCity, Salford, on Thursday 18 December.
READ MORE: Prolific North’s Top PR Digital Agencies 2025 revealed – full list
Who’s on the SPOTY 2025 shortlist?
- Hannah Hampton (Football)
- Chloe Kelly (Football)
- Ellie Kildunne (Rugby Union)
- Luke Littler (Darts)
- Rory McIlroy (Golf)
- Lando Norris (Formula 1)
The BBC is promising one of its most dramatic SPOTY nights yet. For the first time, the six contenders will be cut to a top three live on air, before viewers decide the overall winner at bbc.co.uk/spoty.
With presenters Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott fronting the show, audiences will relive a year packed with defining moments — from England’s Euro 2025 triumph to a breakthrough F1 title fight.
BBC Sport Director Alex Kay-Jelski said: “This has been a breathtaking year for sport, driven by athletes whose performances belong in the history books… I can’t wait to honour their achievements, and to see who the nation chooses as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025.”
Fans can also vote for the World Sport Star award until midday on Sunday 14 December. Nominees are Mariona Caldentey, Terence Crawford, Armand Duplantis, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Shohei Ohtani and Mohamed Salah.
Rising talents Michelle Agyemang, Luke Littler and Davina Perrin are shortlisted for Young Sports Personality of the Year.
SPOTY 2025: What each contender achieved this year
Hannah Hampton (Football, 25)
A defining year for England’s No.1. Hampton won the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or and delivered two shootout saves in the Euro 2025 final as England lifted the trophy. With Chelsea, she helped secure a domestic treble and shared the WSL Golden Glove with 13 clean sheets.
Chloe Kelly (Football, 27)
From uncertain starter to double European and Champions League winner. Kelly scored the decisive penalty in the Euro 2025 final, added a quarter-final shootout success and hit a last-gasp semi-final winner. She finished fifth in the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Ellie Kildunne (Rugby Union, 26)
The star full-back powered England to a home World Cup victory, scoring five tries across the tournament — including a show-stopping solo effort in the final against Canada. Earlier, she helped secure another Six Nations Grand Slam.
Luke Littler (Darts, 18)
A historic breakthrough. Littler became the youngest world darts champion ever at 17, completed the PDC Triple Crown and soared to world No.1 after winning the Grand Slam — the youngest player in history to do it.
Rory McIlroy (Golf, 36)
McIlroy finally completed the Career Grand Slam, winning the Masters in a dramatic play-off — his first major since 2014. Key to Europe’s Ryder Cup win and champion at the Players, Pebble Beach and the Irish Open, he signed off with his seventh Race to Dubai title.
Lando Norris (Formula 1, 26)
Britain’s newest F1 world champion. Norris overturned a 34-point deficit with back-to-back wins in Mexico and Brazil before holding off Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen in a tense Abu Dhabi finale. It’s McLaren’s first drivers’ title since 2008.
