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The shortlist for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award has been revealed, featuring six outstanding athletes. Among the nominees are England footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union star Ellie Kildunne, darts prodigy Luke Littler, golfer Rory McIlroy, and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris. The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite during the live broadcast of the show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursday, 18 December.
This year’s ceremony, hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Clare Balding, will take place at MediaCityUK in Salford. The event will highlight an incredible year in sports, celebrating achievements across a range of disciplines. Alex Kay-Jelski, the director of BBC Sport, emphasized the remarkable nature of the athletes’ performances in 2025, commenting, “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.” He added, “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.”
Public voting will be conducted online during the show for the main award, with full instructions provided at that time. In addition to the main accolade, the Team of the Year award will also be determined by a public vote, although the nominees for this prize will be announced later in the month. Other honors to be presented during the evening include Young Sports Personality of the Year, Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Helen Rollason Award. A separate World Sport Star award will also be given out, with voting currently open.
Each shortlisted athlete has had an exceptional year. Hannah Hampton, aged 25, enjoyed a standout 2025, winning the Yashin Trophy as the world’s best female goalkeeper and playing a pivotal role in England’s European Championship final victory, where she saved two penalties and earned player of the match honors. Chelsea’s success in winning a domestic treble was bolstered by her 13 clean sheets in 22 Women’s Super League games, leading to her sharing the league’s Golden Glove award. Chloe Kelly, 27, who faced uncertainty earlier in the year, emerged victorious in both the European Championship and Champions League. Notably, she scored the winning penalty for England at Euro 2022, contributed crucial goals in later shootouts and matches, and helped Arsenal capture the Champions League title, finishing fifth in the Women’s Ballon d’Or voting.
Ellie Kildunne, a 26-year-old rugby union player, played a key role in England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup win, scoring five tries overall and a memorable solo try in front of 80,000 spectators during the final. She also contributed to England’s retention of the Six Nations title with a Grand Slam, adding 14 tries for her club Harlequins during the 2024-25 season. Luke Littler, just 18, started 2025 by becoming the youngest darts world champion in history, defeating Michael van Gerwen. He then completed the PDC Triple Crown by winning the World Matchplay and later claimed the Grand Slam of Darts, ascending to world number one at an age younger than any previous record holder.
Rory McIlroy, aged 36, completed a career Grand Slam by claiming the Masters title, his first major championship win since 2014. His year included a strong Ryder Cup performance and victories at several notable tournaments including the Players Championship, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Irish Open. Additionally, he secured his seventh Race to Dubai title. Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, 26, captured the drivers’ championship in an intensely close season, overcoming a points deficit late in the year with crucial wins in Mexico and Brazil. He clinched the title at the dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by just two points and securing McLaren’s first drivers’ championship since 2008
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