Rory McIlroy is likely to be brimming with confidence as he sits among the audience for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards this evening. His mere presence indicates the significance of the occasion, as it’s an honor that holds considerable prestige, motivating him to be there if he’s a top contender for the award.
However, opinions on this may vary. In the past, McIlroy himself has criticized the competition. For some, disparaging the Sports Personality of the Year award is as traditional as the event itself, providing a chance to take jabs at the BBC and other aspects of the ceremony.
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This past year has been remarkable for McIlroy, filled with standout moments that could easily fill a storybook, including his stunning victories at the Masters and Ryder Cup. There’s no disputing that.
Rory McIlroy has never won SPOTY but has his best chance this year after capturing the Masters (Getty)
His victory at the Masters was a hard-fought one, showcasing both his weaknesses and his resilience—traits that endear him to fans. Leading Europe to an away Ryder Cup victory at the challenging Bethpage Black further cements his achievements and positions him as a frontrunner for the coveted award.
There’s a prevailing sentiment around McIlroy: if he doesn’t win SPOTY this year, when would he? Now that he has completed golf’s career slam, it’s time to consider legacy and historic achievements. Given that Andy Murray has been awarded SPOTY three times and Lewis Hamilton has received it twice, few would contest that McIlroy deserves a place alongside them as one of Britain’s sporting legends of the past two decades.
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While it seems McIlroy is a strong contender, it’s important to remember that this award is determined by public vote, and history shows that the outcome is rarely straightforward.
At this point, it’s worth contemplating the implications if McIlroy were to lose, and the potential reactions depending on the rival he might lose to. The Daily Mail has already suggested that a McIlroy defeat would leave a “stain” on SPOTY.
Why is this the case? McIlroy undoubtedly has a compelling argument for his achievements. His triumph at Augusta and Europe’s performance at Bethpage Black brought emotional highs and memorable moments. However, a growing factor in SPOTY voting could be the divide between sports that are behind a paywall and those accessible to the greater public, a boundary that unfortunately puts McIlroy at a disadvantage.
This dynamic makes Chloe Kelly or Hannah Hampton (if they don’t split the votes) as notable threats following another significant tournament victory for the Lionesses. Likewise, Ellie Kildunne emerges as a potential outside contender, and her world champion Red Roses might even overshadow both the Ryder Cup team and the Lionesses in the team of the year category.
England won the Women’s World Cup in front of a sold-out Twickenham and millions at home (Getty)
Sport shines brightest when it unites people, able to uplift and inspire. The most-watched moment in 2025 was undoubtedly Hampton’s crucial saves against Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey, followed by Kelly’s penalty that secured the Lionesses’ victory in the Euros—a historic win for England’s football teams on foreign soil. Similarly, the Red Roses’ triumph at the World Cup, celebrated at a packed Twickenham, symbolized breaking barriers and illustrated that strength in sports comes in various forms.
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A common criticism of the BBC is that its reduced live sports coverage has led to the loss of events that truly capture these magical moments, such as the Masters. Conversely, the decision to showcase the Women’s Euros and Women’s Rugby World Cup has resulted in record viewership, notably among female audiences. The success of teams like the Lionesses and Red Roses has become a national highlight, akin to that of men’s football and rugby—enhancing fan engagement and interest across diverse demographics.
England’s Euro 2025 final victory over Spain was the most-watched moment of the year (Getty)
Such progress should be acknowledged and celebrated. Yet, given the BBC’s reputation, some may interpret tonight’s all-female presenting lineup—featuring Gabby Logan, Clare Balding, and Alex Scott—as overly progressive and detracting from the event’s appeal. This leads to speculation about the reactions if Kelly or Hampton were to win, following in the footsteps of Beth Mead in 2022 and Mary Earps in 2023, despite the Lionesses’ 16-million-strong viewership milestone.
How the votes are cast between Kelly and Hampton will be crucial, especially with them both representing the same team on the final shortlist. Their nominations arise from England’s sensational summer campaign, with Kelly shining in critical moments despite not starting every match, while Hampton proved vital in keeping the Lionesses in contention and was a deserving candidate for player of Euro 2025.
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