It may still be early in the year, but several sporting stars have already staked their claim for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) 2025 award.
First presented in 1954, SPOTY has become a hallmark of British sporting achievement, with past winners including Mo Farah, Steve Redgrave, Kelly Holmes, Lewis Hamilton, and Sir Andy Murray—who has won the award a record three times.
This year, Rory McIlroy leads the pack after a thrilling Masters victory, while rising darts star Luke Littler isn’t far behind. With major events like Euro 2025, Wimbledon, and The Ashes still to come, the leaderboard could shift dramatically.
Here are the current top contenders for SPOTY 2025:
🥇 1. Rory McIlroy – 8/13 Favorite
Sport: Golf
McIlroy made history by winning the Masters in a dramatic playoff against Justin Rose, becoming only the sixth player—and the first European—to complete a career Grand Slam in golf. He’s now the odds-on favorite to win SPOTY. A British Open win could seal the deal.
🥈 2. Luke Littler – 7/2
Sport: Darts
The teenage phenom known as “The Nuke” has taken the darts world by storm. After winning Young SPOTY last year and finishing second in the main vote, he’s since captured his first World Championship and thrown multiple nine-darters. Littler remains a strong contender.
🥉 3. Lando Norris – 13/2
Sport: Formula 1
Norris finished runner-up in the 2024 F1 Drivers’ Championship and has five Grand Prix wins under his belt. If he can challenge for the title this year, expect his odds to shorten fast.
🌟 4. Lucy Bronze – 16/1
Sport: Football
Should the England women’s team retain their European Championship crown this summer, they’re favorites for SPOTY Team of the Year. If Bronze scores a decisive goal, she could also become a contender for the individual prize.
With months of sporting action still to unfold, expect more names to enter the conversation. For now, McIlroy leads, but the race for SPOTY 2025 is just getting started.
