As 2026 arrives and forces you to take stock of 2025, what are the sporting moments that will be dearest to you? For depth of feeling, it’s hard to top Team Europe’s triumph over mindless, white-hot hatred of the pressure cooker that was the Ryder Cup, but the Lionesses’ victory at Women’s Euro 2025 and the Red Roses’ victory at the Women’s Rugby World Cup come close. Perhaps it was more the slow burn of Lando Norris’ first F1 championship. Or the absurd exploits of a certain darts prodigy.
You can watch Sports Personality of the Year 2025 online from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for free.
England and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, England and Arsenal striker Chloe Kelly, England and Harlequins center Ellie Kildunne, darts number 1 Luke Littler, Grand Slam champion golfer Rory McIlroy and McLaren driver Lando Norris are the six nominees who were shortlisted by a panel of 12 people.
However, the shocking omission of Scott McTominay, who went from a figure of derision at Man Utd to Serie A Player of the Year, Scudetto winner, driving force behind Scotland’s first World Cup qualification since 1998 and one of the most remarkable footballers on the planet, has left many with egg on faces.
Littler, who finished second to Keely Hodgkinson last year but won the Young Sports Personality of the Year award – for which he is again a candidate – is the favourite. At just 18 years old, he began the year by becoming the youngest world darts champion in history, before going on to win the PDC Triple Crown and becoming the youngest world No.1 of all time.
McIlroy also makes a compelling case. Not only did the Northern Irishman end a painful 10-year drought to become the first European player to win the modern career grand slam, before absorbing the lion’s share of a disgusting three-day barrage of abuse from American spectators to set the European team on the path to a first victory on American soil since 2012, but he did so while being relentlessly hounded by the press, after raising his head above the parapet to denounce the LIV.
Keep reading as we explain how to watch Sports Personality of the Year from anywhere. Scroll down for the full list of nominees, voting instructions and more.
Can I watch Sports Personality of the Year 2025 for free?
Yes. UK viewers can watch Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Free on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Outside the UK this festive period? To use NordVPN to unblock your free streams.
How to watch the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year from anywhere
If you want to watch Sports Personality of the Year but you’re not at home and access to the show is geo-blocked, you can still use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not violating the broadcaster’s terms and conditions, of course). You might be surprised how simple it is to do.
Use one of best VPNs look Sports Personality of the Year 2025 from anywhere:
Can I watch the 2025 US Sports Personality of the Year?
Sports Personality of the Year has no home in the United States.
However, if you’re British across the pond, a VPN will help you connect for free. NordVPN is our recommended provider, and you can find out why with our in-depth NordVPN review.
Can I watch the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year in Canada?
Sports Personality of the Year is only shown in the UK, so you won’t find it on your TV listings or on streaming services if you’re abroad.
However, British nationals currently traveling to Canada can use a VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch it from anywhere in the world. We recommend NordVPN.
How to watch the 2025 UK Sports Personality of the Year
Sports fans in the UK can watch the 2025 edition Sports Personality of the Year For FREE on BBC One and via the BBC iPlayer streaming service.
The two-hour ceremony will be broadcast at 7 p.m. GMT on Thursday December 18.
All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (eg HA9 0WS). Register here!
Outside the UK? Use a VPN to access all the content you normally stream at home.
Can I watch Australia’s 2025 Sports Personality of the Year?
Sports Personality of the Year 2025 will also not be broadcast in Australia.
If you’re a Brit traveling to the West Indies, a VPN will help you get connected. NordVPN is our recommended supplier.
Sports Personality of the Year 2025 – Need to Know
Who are the nominees for Sports Personality of the Year 2025?
Hannah Hampton – footballer
Chloe Kelly – footballer
Ellie Kildunne – rugby player
Luke Littler – darts player
Rory McIlroy – golfer
Lando Norris – F1 driver
Have any contenders for SPOTY 2025 already won?
None of the 2025 nominees have won Yesar’s Sports Personality Award before, but McIlroy finished sixth in 2023, second to Lewis Hamilton in 2014, 10th in 2012 and eighth in 2011.
Littler came second to Keely Hodgkinson in 2024, but won the Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
Who are the nominees for Young Sports Personality of the Year 2025?
Michelle Agyemang – footballer
Luke Littler – darts player
Davina Perrin – cricketer
Who are the nominees for World Sports Star of the Year 2025?
Mariona Caldentey – footballer
Terence Crawford – boxer
Armand Duplantis – athlete
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone – athlete
Shohei Ohtani – baseball player
Mohamed Salah – footballer
Who are the nominees for Team of the Year 2025?
England women’s football team
England women’s rugby union team
European Ryder Cup Team
Who is part of the SPOTY panel?
The 12-person panel that determined the SPOTY shortlist includes Alex Kay-Jelski, Philip Bernie, Marc Vesty, Kelly Cates, Josh Denzel, Riath Al-Samarrai, Molly Hudson, Maggie Alphonsi, Anita Asante, Libby Clegg, Carl Frampton and Ebony Rainford-Brent.
How does SPOTY voting work?
Voting for the Sports Personality of the Year award will open and close during the ceremony. You can vote on the Sports Personality of the Year website.
Voting for the World Sport Star award will close before the ceremony, while voting for the Team of the Year will open before the ceremony but close during the ceremony.
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