Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Power Rankings

This year’s prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is set to be a cracker as we head to the tail end of the 2025 sporting calendar, with familiar faces and surprise additions all vying to capture the lucrative prize.

And while the event may still be a few months away yet, that hasn’t stopped bookies from putting down their early front-runners ahead of the 72nd edition as we walk you through the top contenders, as per SkyBet.

14

Alessia Russo

A hero at club and international level, it’s fair to say Alessia Russo has enjoyed an incredible 2025. The striker played a crucial role as Arsenal went all the way to the Champions League final in the 2024/2025 season, beating Barcelona in the showpiece game to net the Gunners’ second triumph in the biggest competition in women’s European football.

Russo would then join up with England for the summer, where she tasted yet more success as the Lionesses retained their European Championships crown by defeating Spain in the final.

13

Josh Kerr

Athletics

The Scottish middle distance runner has had a topsy-turvy year as he battled illness and injury in the lead up to the 2025 World Championships. The 1500m 2023 World Champion finished second at the London Athletics Meet, losing out to Phanuel Koech.

The 27-year-old tasted more success at the UK Athletics Championship as he finished first in the 5000m event. Kerr suffered a right calf injury, however, during the 1500m World Championships held at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan as he finished last.

12

Sarah Hunter

Rugby Union

England’s defence coach in rugby union, Sarah Hunter played a crucial role in helping to lead the country to triumph in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil earlier in the summer. England would finish top of Pool A ahead of Australia in second, before defeating rivals Scotland in the quarter-finals.

The Red Roses would then get past France in the semis, and then sealed a famous victory against Canada in the final in front of a packed Twickenham. Hunter’s legendary playing career and now her foray into coaching has made her one of the most inspirational women in sports.

11

Kim Little

Arguably one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the women’s game, the 35-year-old former Scottish international and Arsenal number 10 captained her club side to European glory as they overcame Barcelona to leave Lisbon with the Champions League trophy.

Wherever she goes, the attacking midfielder has won trophies and individual awards with countless honours to her name during her nearly two decades in the sport. Her role in undoing the dominant Spanish side in the final was clear for all to see. Often underrated, her place on this list is well deserved indeed.

10

Ellie Kildunne

Rugby

One of the shining lights of England Women’s unforgettable Rugby World Cup win, her spot in the top three is not without merit. A dominant try scorer, the World Player of the Year made her presence known in the final as the Red Roses avenged their loss at the last hurdle in 2022 by defeating Canada at Twickenham in front of a record attendance of 81,885.

A head injury she had actually been dealt in the group stages of the tournament forced her to sit on the sidelines for 12 days in line with concussion protocol, but she then returned to spearhead the Roses’ advance to the semi-final against France at Ashton Gate, Bristol.

9

Lottie Woad

Golf

Lottie Woad’s first year as a professional golfer has been an extremely successful one. In July 2025, she became the first amateur to win on the Ladies European Tour when she recorded a six-shot victory at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. A week later, she came ever so close to winning her first major title when she finished tied for 3rd place at the 2025 Evian Championship.

She turned professional shortly after and has since added the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open title to her resume and recorded a top 10 finish at the Women’s British Open.

8

Michelle Agyemang

It was a breakout campaign for Michelle Agyemang, who announced herself on the world stage thanks to her inspiring performances at Euro 2025. The 19-year-old was named the Young Player of the Tournament after scoring some crucial goals in England’s victory.

Playing the role as super sub, Agyemang scored an 81st minute equaliser against Sweden in the quarter-finals and then a 96th minute equaliser in the semi-finals against France. In the final, Agyemang came off the bench as she helped England retain their title.

7

Lucy Bronze

Named England Women’s Player of the Year for 2024/2025, Lucy Bronze has long been one of the Lionesses’ best and most reliable players, putting everything on the line for her team even when risking injury.

During her 16 appearances for England across the season, Bronze even chipped in with five goals, including a header against Sweden in the quarter-finals of the EURO 2025. The full-back would then play 106 minutes in the final against Spain, as England would go onto retain their crown.

6

Kelly Hodgkinson

Athletics

Last year’s Sports Personality of the Year winner is one of the favourites once again despite an injury-hit 2025 season. The Olympic champion over 800m went into this year with the goal of winning her first World Championship gold medal.

Her season got off to a disastrous start as she tore her hamstring in February, putting her out of action for six months. The 23-year-old returned to action in August as she recorded her second fastest 800m time ever at the Diamond League event in Silesia.

Despite her stunning return to form, she was unable to claim victory at the World Championships as she finished third behind Lilian Odira and Georgia Hunter Bell.

5

Hannah Hampton

Where would The Lionesses be without their pivotal goalkeeper? A constant source of reliability to her national side, 2025 proved to be a major year for the Chelsea shot-stopper, who went into the 2025 Euros as the go-to between the sticks after Mary Earps announced her retirement from international football prior to the tournament.

Hampton proved she was ready to answer the call, with a Player of the Match performance in the quarter-final against Sweden, where she made two saves in the resulting shoot-out. She again came up with the answer in the final as England defeated Spain as they achieved their second back-to-back European Championship victory in a year where she also won the prestigious Women’s Yashin Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or.