The phrase “Sports Personality of the Year” can refer to different awards depending on the country or organization. In the United Kingdom, the best-known award is BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which recognizes a British sportsperson who has made a major impact during the year.
The winner is selected through a public vote from a shortlist of nominated athletes. Because the award is held annually, the winner changes from year to year.
Who Won BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
The most recent completed BBC Sports Personality of the Year award was won by Lando Norris in 2025. The Formula 1 driver received the award after winning the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.
Norris became the first Formula 1 driver to win the BBC award since Damon Hill in 1996. His 2025 victory made him the 72nd recipient of the prestigious British sports award.
The award recognizes sporting achievement during the calendar year, so the winner is not necessarily the athlete who is considered the best overall competitor. Instead, the public vote reflects a combination of sporting success, achievement, profile, and public interest.
What Is BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
BBC Sports Personality of the Year is an annual British sports award organized by the BBC. It was first presented in 1954 and has become one of the most recognized sports awards in the United Kingdom.
The award is traditionally presented near the end of the year. A shortlist of sportspeople is announced, and members of the public vote for their preferred candidate.
The award is different from competitions that recognize a specific sport. For example, a football organization may name its player of the year, while the BBC award considers athletes across different sports.
This makes the competition particularly interesting because footballers, Formula 1 drivers, tennis players, cyclists, athletes, boxers, and competitors from many other sports can appear on the same shortlist.
How Is Sports Personality of the Year Chosen?
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner is determined by a public vote.
A panel is involved in determining the shortlist, while the final winner is selected through votes from the public. This means the award is not simply based on a statistical formula.
Sporting achievements are important, but popularity and the public’s connection with a particular athlete can also influence the result.
For that reason, winning a major championship does not automatically guarantee that an athlete will win Sports Personality of the Year.
Who Won Before Lando Norris?
Several famous British sportspeople have won BBC Sports Personality of the Year over the decades.
Previous winners include:
- Damon Hill — Formula 1
- Andy Murray — Tennis
- Lewis Hamilton — Formula 1
- Ben Stokes — Cricket
- Emma Raducanu — Tennis
- Mary Earps — Soccer
- Mark Cavendish — Cycling
- Sir Mo Farah — Athletics
Andy Murray won the award twice, while several other major British athletes have received the honor after particularly successful seasons.
Why Is the Award Important?
Winning Sports Personality of the Year can be a significant achievement because it recognizes sporting success across an entire country rather than within one individual sport.
An athlete competing in a relatively specialized sport can compete for the same award as a globally recognized footballer or Formula 1 driver.
The award also reflects the public’s interest in British sport during a particular year. Major sporting events, championships, Olympic performances, world records, and historic achievements can all influence which athletes receive attention.
Is There a Sports Personality of the Year in the United States?
The United States has several major sports awards, but it does not have one single award that is directly equivalent to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Different American organizations recognize athletes in different ways. Examples include Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year, the Associated Press Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards, and sport-specific honors.
These awards have different eligibility rules and selection methods, so the phrase “Sports Personality of the Year” needs to be understood in context.
What Is the Difference Between Sports Personality and Athlete of the Year?
The terms can sound similar, but they do not necessarily describe the same type of award.
An Athlete of the Year award generally focuses heavily on sporting performance and achievements. A Sports Personality of the Year award may consider sporting achievement alongside public profile, cultural impact, and the athlete’s connection with fans.
The exact criteria depend on the organization presenting the award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sports Personality of the Year?
If you mean the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the most recent completed winner is Lando Norris, who won the 2025 award.
Who won Sports Personality of the Year in 2025?
Lando Norris won the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Is Sports Personality of the Year only for football players?
No. The BBC award covers athletes from many different sports, including Formula 1, tennis, athletics, cricket, cycling, and soccer.
How is BBC Sports Personality of the Year decided?
A shortlist is created, and the winner is determined through a public vote.
Can an athlete win Sports Personality of the Year more than once?
Yes. Andy Murray, for example, has won the BBC award twice.
Is Sports Personality of the Year the same as Athlete of the Year?
Not necessarily. Different organizations use different names and criteria for their annual sports awards.
Conclusion
If you mean the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the latest completed winner is Lando Norris, who received the award in 2025 after his Formula 1 success.
Because several organizations use similar “Sports Personality of the Year” terminology, it is important to identify the specific award before comparing winners. The BBC award is one of the best-known examples and recognizes sporting achievement and public appeal across a wide range of sports.