The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award (or SPOTY) was first held in 1954 when around 14,500 voters decided (controversially, in retrospect) to crown Christopher Chataway over fellow runner Roger Bannister.
Since then the winners read like a roll call of British sporting greats, with the likes of Mo Farah, Ian Botham, Nick Faldo, Steve Redgrave, Lewis Hamilton, Kelly Holmes and David Beckham all lifting the trophy.
Several Scots have also lifted the trophy, including Sir Andy Murray (a record three times), Sir Jackie Stewart, Liz McColgan and Sir Chris Hoy.
This year’s ceremony will be held at Salford’s Media City on Thursday, December 18, and will be broadcast live on BBC One.
This year it looks like Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy is the one to beat after his win at the Masters completed his Grand Slam of the Majors, but .several of the history-making Lionesses might have something to say about that having won their second consecutive European Championship.
Here are the 12 favourites to be crowned SPOTY 2025.
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9. Harry Brook - 40/1
If England can find a way to beat the Aussies on their own turf at the second of the Ashes series then there's a chance that their hugely popular batsman Harry Brook could be in the frame. He's a 40/1 shot. | Getty Images
10. Alessia Russo - 40/1
Yet another Lioness in the running for the SPOTY (they must be favourite for Team of the Year), Arsenals's Alessia Russo is the current FWA Women's Footballer of the Year. She's 40/1 to raise the BBC trophy. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
11. Luke Humphries - 40/1
The 'other' darting Luke - Luke Humphries spent the first 10 months of 2025 at world number one before being deposed by Luke Littler. He's 40/1 for a rare triumph over his rival at the SPOTY Awards. | Getty Images
12. Emma Raducanu - 40/1
Tennis prodigy Emma Raducanu has had a fairly successful 2025, climbing back up to number 29, reaching the third round of the Australian Open for the first time, the quarter-finals of the Queen's Club Championships and the semi-finals of the Washington Open. She's 40/1 to win a second SPOTY - having won the award in 2021. | Getty Images