BBC Unveils New Two-Stage Voting for Sports Personality of the Year

Voting for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award will undergo significant changes in 2025. The shortlist features prominent athletes, including Lionesses stars Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, alongside Ellie Kildunne from the Red Roses. Other nominees include Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, darts prodigy Luke Littler, and newly-crowned Formula One world champion Lando Norris.

In a historic first for the award, the voting process will consist of two distinct stages. After the public views all six nominees, the initial voting period will commence. The three athletes receiving the highest number of votes will then advance to a second round. In this phase, the top three will be announced in no particular order, allowing voters to select one finalist from this select group. The votes from both stages will then be combined to determine the overall winner.

This change marks the second major adjustment to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards for this year. For the first time, the public will also have a say in determining the Team of the Year. This year promises fierce competition, particularly as the Lionesses successfully defended their European title at Euro 2025, the Red Roses triumphed in the Rugby World Cup held on home soil, and Europe’s golfers secured victory in the Ryder Cup.

The new voting structure aims to enhance engagement and excitement surrounding the award. By introducing a two-stage process, the BBC hopes to foster a more dynamic and competitive atmosphere. As fans rally behind their favorite athletes, the inclusion of the public in both the individual and team categories underscores the importance of community support in sports.

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year award has long celebrated athletic excellence, and these changes reflect an evolving landscape in sports recognition. With significant achievements from both individual athletes and teams this year, anticipation builds as the public prepares to cast their votes in this reimagined format.