The anticipation is reaching fever pitch as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 shortlist has been revealed, spotlighting a remarkable array of British sporting talent. With the ceremony set to be broadcast live from MediaCityUK in Salford on December 18, fans across the nation are gearing up to cast their votes and celebrate the athletes who have defined an exceptional year in sport. The shortlist, announced on December 11, features six standout contenders: Lionesses football stars Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union sensation Ellie Kildunne, darts prodigy Luke Littler, golf superstar Rory McIlroy, and newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris.
This year’s nominees represent the pinnacle of achievement across a range of disciplines. For followers of women’s football, the inclusion of Hampton and Kelly is a testament to the monumental impact the Lionesses have had on the national stage in 2025. Both played pivotal roles as England clinched the European Championship in dramatic fashion, with Hampton’s heroics between the posts and Kelly’s decisive goals ensuring their place in the sporting spotlight.
Hannah Hampton’s ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. Taking over from the 2022 winner Mary Earps as England’s number one, Hampton capped her stellar year by winning the prestigious Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best female goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or. Her performances in the Euros were the stuff of legend: two penalty saves in the final, earning her the player of the match accolade, and two more shootout stops in the quarter-final. Hampton’s consistency saw her named in the team of the tournament, while domestically she helped Chelsea to a treble and shared the WSL Golden Glove thanks to 13 clean sheets in 22 matches. As Alex Kay Jelski, director of BBC Sport, put it, “This has been a breathtaking year for sport, driven by athletes whose performances belong in the history books.”
Chloe Kelly, meanwhile, continues to prove herself as England’s go-to player in clutch moments. Despite starting only once during the Euro 2025 campaign, Kelly’s influence off the bench was decisive. She netted the winning penalty in the final against Spain, adding to her tally from the quarter-final shootout, and delivered a dramatic late winner in the semi-final. Her club form was equally impressive, helping Arsenal to Champions League glory and earning a fifth-place finish in the Women’s Ballon d’Or voting. Kelly’s journey from uncertainty at the year’s outset to continental and European triumphs underscores her resilience and big-game mentality.
Ellie Kildunne’s nomination follows a year in which she helped England’s Red Roses to World Cup victory, scoring a dazzling solo try in the final against Canada at Twickenham before a record-breaking crowd of 81,000. Kildunne also played a vital part in securing another Six Nations Grand Slam for England and racked up 14 tries for Harlequins, solidifying her status as one of rugby’s brightest stars.
Switching gears to motorsport, Lando Norris has etched his name into Formula 1 history by clinching his maiden world drivers’ championship. The McLaren driver ended Max Verstappen’s four-year reign after a tense season that culminated in a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris became the 11th British driver and the 35th overall to secure an F1 title. Reflecting on his achievement, an emotional Norris told David Coulthard, “Oh, God. I’ve not cried in a while. I didn’t think I would cry, but I did. It’s a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren... My parents. I’m not crying... My mum, my dad. They’re the ones who supported me since the beginning.”
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation, has made headlines by becoming the youngest world champion in history back in January and later ascending to world number one. Despite his youth, Littler’s composure and competitive drive have set him apart. He’s also shortlisted for the Young Sports Personality of the Year award and, in a twist, has revealed he won’t be attending the ceremony. “I think Lando [Norris] will win,” Littler said, adding, “Good luck to whoever’s going to win it.” Amid the glitz, Littler found himself the subject of some minor controversy after disclosing he received Manchester United tickets from Adidas, which he addressed candidly: “Everyone just jumps on everything. They don’t know anything. So I’ve seen too many stupid [message] requests and all that stuff. They give a certain amount of tickets out a year, home and away to whoever they want. So they chose me, gave me three tickets for Wolves away. It was my first away day. Probably a guaranteed win, so I’m glad we won that one.”
Golf fans have plenty to cheer about with Rory McIlroy’s inclusion. 2025 saw McIlroy finally complete golf’s career Grand Slam with a stirring victory at the Masters, a feat that has eluded even some of the game’s greatest. He also played a crucial role in helping Europe reclaim the Ryder Cup, further cementing his legacy. With odds currently favoring McIlroy, he could become the first golfer to win the award since Nick Faldo in 1989.
While the shortlist has been widely praised, it hasn’t been without its share of controversy. The omission of Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has sparked debate, particularly among Scottish fans. McTominay’s 2024-25 season was remarkable: 13 goals in 36 Serie A appearances, a key role in Napoli’s league triumph, and a spectacular scissor kick on the final day. He was named Serie A Player of the Year, finished in the Ballon d’Or top 20, and scored a crucial overhead kick for Scotland to secure their World Cup qualification. Journalist Henry Winter voiced the sentiments of many, asking, “Scott McTominay a surprise omission from SPOTY short-list? Won Scudetto, voted Serie A Player of the Year, nominated for Ballon d'Or, helped Scotland qualify for World Cup, scored vital/spectacular goal against Denmark that's surely a Puskas Awards contender. Amazing year.” The BBC, however, emphasized that the shortlist was determined by an expert panel based on sporting merit and broad representation.
The ceremony itself promises to be a star-studded affair, hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Clare Balding. Alongside the main award, the night will see honors handed out for Young Sports Personality of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Helen Rollason Award. The World Sport Star award will also be presented, with public voting already open.
With the public set to decide the winner live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the stage is set for a thrilling celebration of sporting excellence. Whether it’s the Lionesses, the Red Roses, a record-breaking darts prodigy, a golf icon, or a Formula 1 champion, 2025’s shortlist encapsulates a year where British sport soared to new heights. All eyes now turn to Salford for what promises to be an unforgettable night.
