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Six athletes vie for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025
The BBC has revealed the six contenders for its 2025 Sports Personality of the Year award, celebrating a year of record-breaking performances across football, rugby, darts, golf, and Formula 1. Voting opens during the live broadcast on 18 December.
The nominees
The shortlist features England footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union star Ellie Kildunne, darts prodigy Luke Littler, golf veteran Rory McIlroy, and Formula 1 champion Lando Norris.
Hannah Hampton: Penalty hero and treble winner
The 25-year-old goalkeeper capped a stellar year by winning the Yashin Trophy as the world's best female goalkeeper. Hampton's clutch performances included saving two penalties in England's Euro 2025 final shootout victory, earning her player-of-the-match honours. She also played a pivotal role in Chelsea's domestic treble and shared the Women's Super League Golden Glove award after recording 13 clean sheets in 22 games.
Chloe Kelly: The Lionesses' clutch performer
Kelly, 27, overcame early-season doubts to deliver decisive moments for England, including the winning penalty in the Euro 2025 final. Though she didn't start every match, her contributions-such as a last-gasp semi-final winner and another shootout save-secured her a place in the tournament's best XI. She also helped Arsenal clinch the Champions League title and finished fifth in the Women's Ballon d'Or voting.
Ellie Kildunne: World Cup and Six Nations champion
Kildunne, 26, was instrumental in England's Women's Rugby World Cup triumph on home soil, scoring five tries despite missing the quarter-final due to concussion. Her standout performances included a brace in the semi-final against France and a solo try in the final before 80,000 fans. She also led England to a Six Nations Grand Slam and notched 14 tries for Harlequins in the 2024-25 season.
Luke Littler: Darts' teenage sensation
At 18, Littler became the youngest darts world champion in history with a dominant victory over Michael van Gerwen in January. He followed this with wins at the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts, completing the PDC Triple Crown and claiming the world number one ranking-smashing Van Gerwen's previous record by six years.
Rory McIlroy: Grand Slam glory at last
McIlroy, 36, ended a decade-long major drought with a dramatic play-off victory at the Masters, becoming only the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam. His year included wins at the Players Championship, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Irish Open, as well as a pivotal role in Europe's Ryder Cup victory in the U.S. He also secured his seventh Race to Dubai title.
Lando Norris: Formula 1's new champion
Norris, 26, became the 11th Briton to win the Formula 1 drivers' championship after a thrilling season finale in Abu Dhabi. Trailing by 34 points mid-season, he stormed back with wins in Mexico and Brazil, holding off Max Verstappen by just two points to deliver McLaren's first title since 2008.
How to vote and what's next
The winner will be decided by public vote during the live show on BBC One and iPlayer on 18 December, hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Clare Balding from MediaCityUK in Salford. Additional awards, including Team of the Year, Young Sports Personality, and the Helen Rollason Award, will also be presented. The Team of the Year shortlist will be announced on 15 December, while voting for the World Sport Star award is already open.
"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."
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport
