BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist introduced: Rory McIlroy tipped to beat Chloe Kelly – regardless of claiming he cares so little that he forgot he was nominated final 12 months

Rory McIlroy is the favourite to win the Sports Personality of the Year Award, with the BBC revealing their six-person shortlist on Thursday morning. 

The Ryder Cup winner – who has never claimed the SPOTY prize despite multiple nominations – has been given odds of 8/13 by Paddy Power.

That puts him ahead of Lionesses star Chloe Kelly, who is 10/3 after winning the European Championship, and Formula One king Lando Norris on 7/2.

Lionesses goalkeeper Hannah Hampton is in the mix on 20/1 while Luke Littler is 25/1 after claiming the World Darts Championship aged 17. 

England Women’s Rugby star Ellie Kildunne has been assigned outside odds of 66/1 after winning the World Cup. 

You will be able to vote for your winner during the BBC’s broadcast on December 18, presented from Salford.  

Rory McIlroy is the favourite to win the Sports Personality of the Year prize after winning the Ryder Cup in the United States despite his wife Erica Stoll being abused by onlookers

Chloe Kelly, who recently won the Harper’s Bazaar sportswoman of the year award, is second-favourite after the Lionesses’ Euros success

Lando Norris is in contention after winning the F1 Drivers’ Championship with McLaren

In 2023 McIlroy snubbed the ceremony after being nominated and he claimed in January last year that the award was ‘not what it once was’ and admitting he ‘forgot’ he was on the shortlist.

On the back of a Ryder Cup victory in Rome that year, he raised eyebrows by neither attending the ceremony nor recording a video message for the broadcast.

‘I forgot I was nominated, so that’s how much I think about it. It’s a popularity contest and I think it’s just not really what it once was,’ he said. 

He stands a good chance of finally claiming the top gong after battling through adversity alongside his wife Erica Stoll to secure a record-breaking Ryder Cup win on American soil in September.

The Northern Irishman went close in 2014 but he was beaten in the public vote by Lewis Hamilton, who had won his second of seven Drivers’ Championships.  

But he faces stiff competition from the Lionesses duo Kelly and Hampton and recent history has smiled kindly on Sarina Wiegman’s stars.

Beth Mead lifted the prize in 2022 and Mary Earps built on that success in 2023.

Norris comes in at third favourite after claiming his first F1 Drivers’ Championship for McLaren at the Abu Dhabi GP on Sunday.  

In September, Hannah Hampton claimed the Yashin Trophy for best women’s goalkeeper 

Luke Littler won the World Darts Championship at the record-breaking age of 17 in January

Ellie Kildunne was part of the England Women’s Rugby team which won the World Cup 

Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: ‘This has been a breathtaking year for sport, driven by athletes whose performances belong in the history books.

‘Each one has delivered moments of pure brilliance that have defined 2025.

‘It’s been incredible to watch, and I can’t wait to honour their achievements, and to see who the nation chooses as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025.’

On the night, the BBC will also hand out multiple other prizes.

There will be the Team of the Year, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and the Helen Rollason Award for ‘outstanding achievement in the face of adversity’.