Unveiling the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Nominees: A Year of Unforgettable Sporting Triumphs

The sporting world has once again delivered an electrifying year of moments, records, and sheer human endeavour. As 2025 draws to a close, the focus shifts to celebrating the athletes who have captivated us all. The highly anticipated shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 has been revealed, featuring six remarkable individuals whose performances have etched their names into history.

This year's prestigious lineup ofSports Personality of the Year 2025 nominees: Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Ellie Kildunne, Luke Littler, Rory McIlroy, and Lando Norris, represents the pinnacle of achievement across football, rugby, darts, golf, and Formula 1. Each contender has delivered breathtaking brilliance, making the decision for the nation incredibly tough.

How to Watch & Cast Your Vote for SPOTY 2025

The eagerly awaited awards ceremony will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer onThursday, 18 December. Presented by the familiar trio of Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Clare Balding, the show will unfold live from MediaCityUK in Salford, promising a spectacular evening celebrating 12 months of sporting excellence.

Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, expressed the sentiment perfectly: "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 his excitement to "honour their achievements, and to see who the nation chooses as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025."

The public will have the power to decide the main award winner, with voting open online during the live broadcast. Full details on how to participate will be announced as the show progresses. Beyond the main prize, other categories such as Team of the Year (also decided by public vote, contenders announced on December 15th), Young Sports Personality of the Year, Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Helen Rollason Award will be presented. The World Sport Star award, for which voting is already underway, will also be honoured.

Meet Your BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Nominees

Let's take a closer look at the incredible achievements that have propelled these six athletes onto the coveted shortlist.

Hannah Hampton (Football) - Age: 25

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton enjoyed an unparalleled 2025, culminating in her receiving the prestigious Yashin Trophy, an honour for the world's best female goalkeeper at the Ballon d'Or awards. Her heroics were instrumental in England's European Championship triumph, where she saved two crucial spot-kicks in the final's penalty shootout, earning her player of the match. Consistently commanding, she was named in the team of the tournament, featuring another two shootout saves in the quarter-finals. Domestically, Hampton was pivotal to Chelsea's treble success and shared the WSL's Golden Glove with an impressive 13 clean sheets in 22 games. Her rise to global recognition has been nothing short of meteoric.

Chloe Kelly (Football) - Age: 27

From an uncertain start to the year, Chloe Kelly transformed her fortunes into a double triumph, becoming both a European Championship and Champions League winner. The hero of the Euro 2022 final proved her clutch credentials once more, scoring the decisive penalty to help the Lionesses retain their European title. Despite not starting every match, her impact was immense, with another successful penalty in the quarter-final shootout and a last-gasp semi-final winner. Named in the team of the tournament, Kelly was also integral to Arsenal's Champions League victory and placed fifth in the Women's Ballon d'Or voting, solidifying her status as a player for the big occasions.

Ellie Kildunne (Rugby Union) - Age: 26

Ellie Kildunne was a pivotal force in England's Women's Rugby World Cup victory on home soil, crossing the try-line five times. After recovering from a concussion that sidelined her for the quarter-final, the dynamic full-back returned with vigour for the semi-final, scoring two crucial tries against France. In the final against Canada, she delighted the 80,000 strong crowd with a characteristic dazzling solo try. Earlier in the year, Kildunne scored four tries as England secured another Grand Slam, retaining their Six Nations title. Her club form was equally impressive, with 14 tries for Harlequins during the 2024-25 season.

Luke Littler (Darts) - Age: 18

Luke Littler's 2025 commenced with an explosive entry into the history books. At just 17, he became the youngest darts world champion ever, dominating Michael van Gerwen in the final. His sensational year continued with a victory at the World Matchplay, making him only the fifth player to achieve the PDC Triple Crown (World Championship, Premier League, and Matchplay titles). He then capped off an astonishing season by winning November's Grand Slam of Darts, propelling him to world number one – the youngest man to achieve this feat at 18, shattering Van Gerwen's previous record set at 24.

Rory McIlroy (Golf) - Age: 36

After years of determined pursuit, Rory McIlroy finally completed his career Grand Slam in 2025, securing victory at the Masters. His dramatic play-off triumph at Augusta marked his first major win since 2014, making him only the sixth man in history to claim all four major championships. McIlroy also played a crucial role in Europe's Ryder Cup success, shrugging off a hostile crowd to contribute three-and-a-half points as Europe triumphed on US soil for the first time since 2012. Further wins included the Players Championship, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Irish Open, culminating in his seventh Race to Dubai title – a truly stellar year for the golfer.

Lando Norris (Formula 1) - Age: 26

In a season defined by intense competition, Lando Norris emerged as the 11th Briton to claim a Formula 1 Drivers' Championship in 2025, winning the closest title fight in 15 years. The McLaren driver staged an incredible comeback, overturning a 34-point deficit to teammate Oscar Piastri after 15 races with a brilliant run of results, including back-to-back wins in Mexico and Brazil. The season reached a dramatic crescendo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Norris, Piastri, and four-time champion Max Verstappen all had a shot at the title. Holding his nerve to finish third in Abu Dhabi, Norris secured McLaren's first drivers' championship since 2008, finishing just two points ahead of Verstappen in an unforgettable finale.

As the countdown to December 18th begins, the nation stands ready to celebrate these extraordinary athletes. Who will you choose as your BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025?