The BBC has announced the shortlist for the Sports Personality of the Year award, featuring prominent athletes including Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris. This year’s shortlist highlights exceptional achievements in sports, with McIlroy aiming to secure the prestigious title after winning the Masters earlier in 2025, completing his career Grand Slam in dramatic fashion.
For Norris, this marks his first appearance on the shortlist following his successful season, culminating in a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The last Formula 1 driver to win the award was Lewis Hamilton in 2020, making Norris’s nomination particularly significant as he joins the ranks of elite competitors.
Outstanding Athletes from Multiple Sports
Joining McIlroy and Norris are two stars from the England women’s football team, known as the Lionesses, who played pivotal roles in their team’s triumph at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. Hannah Hampton, who has stepped in as the first-choice goalkeeper in place of Mary Earps, and Chloe Kelly, renowned for her contributions on the pitch, are both nominated for their outstanding performances during the tournament.
Additionally, Ellie Kildunne, a key player for the England women’s rugby team, is recognized for her role in leading the Red Roses to World Cup glory on home soil. Rounding out the shortlist is Luke Littler, a darts prodigy who narrowly missed out on the award last year. He is now poised to seek back-to-back titles at the upcoming World Darts Championship, beginning his campaign against Darius Labanauskas on Thursday night.
Public Voting and Ceremony Details
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, expressed enthusiasm for the remarkable year in sports, stating, “This has been a breathtaking year for sport, driven by athletes whose performances belong in the history books.” He added that each nominee has delivered “moments of pure brilliance that have defined 2025.”
The public will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred winner during the live broadcast of the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, scheduled for December 18. The event will be aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 19:00 to 21:00. In an exciting twist, the nominees will be narrowed down to a top three before the overall winner is revealed.
Additionally, the public vote for the World Sport Star is currently open, with nominees including footballers Mohamed Salah and Mariona Caldentey, boxer Terence Crawford, pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, athletics star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and baseball player Shohei Ohtani. Votes for this category will be accepted until midday on December 14 on the BBC website.
As anticipation builds for the ceremony, the spotlight remains on the nominees and their incredible achievements throughout a remarkable year in sports.
