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Rory McIlroy Will feel confident when he takes his seat in the audience BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards tonight. We’ll know this only because of his presence in the room, and because it’s an honor that still holds enough importance and prestige that you’ll want to be there if you have a good chance of winning.
Others may disagree. McIlroy, in the past, has been one of themBut still, for some people, critiquing the Sports Personality of the Year competition is more of an annual ritual than an award, an opportunity to take cheap shots at the BBC among other things,
McIlroy has enjoyed an extraordinary year, the stuff of dreams, with two successes at the Masters and Ryder Cup so astonishing they might as well have been scripted. There is no argument against this.
He won the Masters, but did so in a tragic final round that demonstrated his weaknesses and the strength to overcome them, the qualities that make him such a lovable, inspirational champion. Leading Europe to a Ryder Cup victory against an American crowd at Bethpage Black further strengthens his credentials and stakes a claim for a season that stands above the rest.
And with McIlroy, there’s also the feeling that if he’s not crowned SPOTY this year, when will he be crowned? Maybe there is an acknowledgment of legacy and past accomplishments, now that he has completed a career Slam of golf. Of course, given that Andy Murray has won the SPOTY three times and Lewis Hamilton has done so twice, few would argue that McIlroy would not be in his company when it comes to the greats of British sport of the last 20 years.
So, sure, the Northern Irishman should probably win, but it’s also a public vote that’s decided on the night, and the history of this award may tell us that it’s rarely that straightforward.
At which point, it’s worth considering what might happen if McIlroy loses; Or, rather, what the reaction will be will depend on who he might lose to. daily Mail Has already announced that there will be a “stain” on SPOTY if McIlroy does not win the award this year.
Why? Yes, McIlroy has the strongest case in terms of his accomplishments. Yes, their victory in Augusta and what Europe achieved at Bethpage Black aroused emotions and created unforgettable drama. But, increasingly, the biggest factor in SPOTY voting may be the divide between the game that is behind a paywall and the game that is potentially open to the largest audience, and that’s a line that McIlroy, through no fault of his own, falls on the wrong side of.
this is the reason chloe kelly Or hannah hampton (Unless they split the vote) McIlroy could be the biggest threat after another major tournament win for the Lionesses. this is the reason ellie kildun An excellent outside contender, and why his world champion Red Roses could become Team of the Year by beating both Europe’s Ryder Cup team and the Lionesses.
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Sports are ultimately best when it brings people together. Its power is greatest when it can uplift and inspire. Ultimately, the most watched moment of 2025 was Hampton saving from Aitana Bonamati and Mariona Caldenti and Kelly netting the penalty as the Lionesses again won the Euros – becoming the first England football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil. The victory that had the potential to impact society was the Red Roses winning the World Cup at a sold-out Twickenham, celebrating an impressive, happy team demonstrating that strength and athleticism come in different shapes and sizes.
The BBC is often accused that its reduced offering of live sport means it has lost other events, such as the Masters, that consistently evoke the magic. But in turn, the decision to stage the Women’s Euros and the Women’s Rugby World Cup has led to record numbers of spectators, especially female spectators. The success of a Lionesses or Red Roses team could now become a national event in the same way as men’s football or men’s rugby. It’s almost as if making live sports accessible and making these athletes visible, after decades of being marginalized and catering to a male audience, has brought massive new fans and levels of interest.
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This should be celebrated. But then again, this is the BBC. To some people, even the all-female cast of Gabby Logan, Claire Balding and Alex Scott presenting on tonight’s show are testament to an organization and the SPOTY Awards that have become overly woke and lost their luster. You can probably imagine what the reaction would be should either Kelly or Hampton follow Beth Mead in 2022 and the Mary Earps in 2023 and win, even though more than 16 million people watched the Lionesses’ latest tournament win.
How the votes are split between Kelly and Hampton will be another factor, as for the first time, two members of the same team have been named to the final shortlist. Why both? Maybe that’s down to England’s astonishing summer of survival and the intriguing role of Kelly, the star who performed in the biggest moments but still didn’t start the match. During the course, Hampton was instrumental in keeping the Lionesses alive and the goalkeeper was unlucky not to win Euro 2025 player of the year – that of course was England’s.
The truth is that Any of the six in the final shortlist Would deserve to win. This includes two individual world champions, one crowned at the beginning of the year and the other less than a fortnight earlier. luke littler And lando norrisBoth of these are also very popular. But, after a year of his life, it has to be McIlroy. However, if the public decides to crown someone else, it does not make it a scandal or bring a “taint” on the award.