The most recent winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award is Keely Hodgkinson, who secured the trophy in December 2025 following her historic gold medal performance in the 800m at the Paris Olympics and her continued dominance in the 2025 Diamond League circuit. Hodgkinson joined an elite group of British sporting icons, beating out stiff competition from cricketers, footballers, and Paralympic stars. The award, which has been presented annually since 1954, remains the most prestigious individual honor in British sport, decided by a public vote during a live televised ceremony. As we move into 2026, the sporting world looks toward the next crop of contenders who will attempt to claim the silver four-lens camera trophy.
The 2025 Champion: Keely Hodgkinson
Keely Hodgkinson’s victory in 2025 was seen as a culmination of years of near-misses and silver medals, finally transformed into gold. Her 800m victory was the centerpiece of a summer that revitalized British track and field, making her a household name across the UK.
During the 2025 ceremony, Hodgkinson emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation of female athletes. Her win marked the third consecutive year a female athlete had taken the top prize, following Mary Earps in 2023 and Beth Mead in 2022, signaling a powerful shift in the landscape of British sports fandom.
Historic Winners: The Legends
The Sports Personality of the Year hall of fame reads like a “who’s who” of global sporting greatness. Bobby Moore (1966), Princess Anne (1971), and Sebastian Coe (1979) are just a few of the names that defined the 20th-century era of the award.
In the 21st century, the award has often mirrored Britain’s Olympic and tennis successes. Sir Andy Murray remains the most successful individual in the history of the event, being the only person to have won the main award three times (2013, 2015, and 2016). Other multiple winners include Nigel Mansell and Sir Damon Hill, highlighting the UK’s long-standing obsession with Formula 1.
The Voting Process Explained
The winner of SPOTY is decided by the public on the night of the show, but the shortlist is curated by an expert panel. This panel typically consists of former athletes, sports journalists, and BBC executives who weigh up sporting achievement, impact, and “personality” over the calendar year.
In 2026, the voting system remains digital-heavy, with viewers casting their ballots via the BBC Sport website or by phone. The short window for voting—usually occurring during the final 30 minutes of the live broadcast—creates a high-stakes environment where the “momentum” of the evening’s video montages can often influence the final outcome.
Multiple Winners and Records
Achieving the status of Sports Personality of the Year once is a career-defining moment, but a select few have managed to repeat the feat. As mentioned, Andy Murray leads with three wins, but the “double” has been achieved by several icons.
- Sir Andy Murray: 3 Wins (Tennis)
- Nigel Mansell: 2 Wins (Formula 1)
- Henry Cooper: 2 Wins (Boxing)
- Damon Hill: 2 Wins (Formula 1)
Interestingly, some of the UK’s most famous athletes, such as Sir Lewis Hamilton and David Beckham, have only won the award once, despite their global fame. This suggests that the British public often rewards specific, singular moments of national triumph over long-term commercial success.
Women in SPOTY History
For many years, the award was dominated by male athletes, but the last decade has seen a dramatic rebalancing. Since the success of the Lionesses and the rise of stars like Jessica Ennis-Hill, female athletes have frequently topped the podium.
The first woman to win was Anita Lonsbrough in 1962 (Swimming). Since then, we have seen equestrian stars like Zara Tindall and cycling legends like Victoria Pendleton take the trophy. The recent trend of female winners highlights the massive growth in media coverage and public investment in women’s professional leagues.
The Trophy: A Golden Icon
The trophy itself is a silver-plated four-lens camera, a design that has remained largely unchanged since the 1950s. It represents the “eyes of the media” on the athlete’s performance throughout the year.
While the main award gets the most attention, the ceremony also presents several other accolades. These include the Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, World Sport Star, and the Unsung Hero award, the latter of which celebrates volunteers who make grassroots sport possible.
Practical Information and Planning
Attending the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony is a highlight for any sports fan. In 2026, the event continues its tradition of rotating through major UK arenas.
- 2026 Date: Mid-December (Exact date typically announced in October).
- Location: Often held at venues like the P&J Live in Aberdeen, the AO Arena in Manchester, or the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham.
- Tickets: Prices generally range from £45 to £95. Tickets usually go on sale in late autumn via official BBC partners.
- How to Watch: Live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer starting at 7:00 PM GMT.
- What to Expect: A red-carpet arrival followed by a two-hour live show featuring musical performances and emotional tributes.
Regional Ceremonies and Local Impact
The decision to move the ceremony away from London and tour major UK cities has revitalized the brand. By bringing the “Sporting Oscars” to cities like Belfast, Liverpool, and Sheffield, the BBC has made the award feel more accessible to the entire United Kingdom.
Local economies often see a significant “SPOTY boost” when the event comes to town. Hotels and restaurants near the hosting arena typically book out months in advance, and local sports clubs are often featured in the broadcast, providing a platform for grassroots initiatives that usually go unnoticed on a national level.
FAQs
Has a snooker player ever won?
Yes, Steve Davis won the award in 1988, which was the height of snooker’s popularity in the UK.
Who is the youngest person to win SPOTY?
Andrea Jaeger was highly commended, but Ian Black (swimming) won it at age 17 in 1958. In the modern era, Michael Owen won at 18 in 1998.
How many cricketers have won?
Only five cricketers have won: Jim Laker (1956), David Steele (1975), Ian Botham (1981), Andrew Flintoff (2005), and Ben Stokes (2019).
What happens if there is a tie in the voting?
The BBC has strict auditing rules; in the event of a tie, the award would likely be shared, though this has never happened for the main prize.
Who won the Lifetime Achievement award in 2025?
The 2025 Lifetime Achievement award was given to a legendary figure in British rowing, recognizing decades of Olympic success.
Can I vote if I live outside the UK?
Generally, no. The vote is intended for UK residents, and the BBC’s online voting system usually requires a UK-based BBC account.
Why is the trophy a camera?
The four-lens camera represents the television cameras that bring sports into the homes of the nation, symbolizing the link between the viewer and the athlete.
Has an equestrian ever won?
Yes, three: Princess Anne (1971), her daughter Zara Phillips (2006), and AP McCoy (2010), who is a legendary jockey.
Which city has hosted the most SPOTY ceremonies?
London has hosted the most, but in the last 15 years, the event has moved frequently between Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
What is the Helen Rollason Award?
It is an award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, named after the BBC presenter who died of cancer in 1999.
Who won Sports Personality of the Year 2025?
Keely Hodgkinson won the award in 2025 following her Olympic gold medal success in Paris.
Has anyone won SPOTY three times?
Yes, Sir Andy Murray is the only person to have won the award three times (2013, 2015, 2016).
Who was the first ever winner of SPOTY?
The first winner was the middle-distance runner Christopher Chataway in 1954.
Can non-British athletes win SPOTY?
No, the main award is for British citizens or those who reside and play a significant part of their sport in the UK. International stars can win the “World Sport Star” award.
How is the SPOTY shortlist decided?
An expert panel of sports industry professionals and former champions selects a shortlist of 6–8 athletes based on their achievements that year.
When does voting open for Sports Personality of the Year?
Voting opens during the live broadcast in December; it is not possible to vote before the show starts.
Who won the 2023 award?
The 2023 winner was Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for the England Lionesses.
Which sport has the most SPOTY winners?
Athletics is the most successful sport in the history of the awards, followed by Formula 1 and Tennis.
What is the “Unsung Hero” award?
It is an award given to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to grassroots sport in their local community.
Has a footballer ever won SPOTY?
Yes, several footballers have won, including Bobby Moore, Paul Gascoigne, Michael Owen, David Beckham, and Ryan Giggs.
Is there an age limit for the Young Sports Personality award?
The Young Sports Personality of the Year award is typically for athletes aged 18 or under.
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