How to Bet on BBC Sports Personality of the Year: Tips, Trends & Top Picks

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award is a much-anticipated annual event celebrating British sporting achievements. First awarded in 1954, it has become a prestigious honour, with the winner decided by a public vote from a pre-selected shortlist. This unique blend of elite sporting success and public appeal makes SPOTY a fascinating market for bettors. This article delves into the intricacies of betting on this iconic award, offering tips, analysing trends, and highlighting potential contenders.

Understanding the SPOTY Betting Landscape

Betting on SPOTY is available with most major UK bookmakers, often appearing in their “Specials” or “TV & Entertainment” sections. Markets can open as early as 12 months before the December ceremony, with odds fluctuating significantly based on sporting performances throughout the year.

The most common bet is on the outright winner. However, some bookmakers may also offer markets on who will make the shortlist or achieve a podium finish (top three). The advantage of betting early, before the official shortlist is announced, is the potential for much larger odds, though this comes with the risk that your chosen athlete may not even be nominated. The shortlist itself is compiled by an expert panel, typically revealed a few weeks prior to the awards ceremony.

Key Betting Tips

Several factors can influence a contender’s chances and should be weighed carefully before placing a bet:

• Major Sporting Events: Performances in high-profile events like the Olympic Games, World Cups, Wimbledon, or major golf championships often carry significant weight with the voting public. A standout, historic achievement in one of these can catapult an athlete into strong contention.
• Public Appeal and “Personality”: While sporting achievement is paramount, the “personality” aspect shouldn’t be underestimated. Athletes who connect with the public on an emotional level, demonstrate sportsmanship, or have a compelling backstory often poll well.
• Recency Bias: Events occurring closer to the voting period in December can sometimes have a stronger impact on public memory. A late surge in form or a significant win towards the end of the year can sway voters.
• Media Coverage (especially BBC): Athletes and sports that receive extensive coverage, particularly on BBC platforms, may have a higher profile among the voting public
• Dominance and Historic Feats: Being the first to achieve something, breaking long-standing records, or completing a rare feat (like a career Grand Slam in golf or tennis) often captures public imagination and boosts SPOTY prospects.
• Team Success vs. Individual Brilliance: While team achievements are celebrated with a separate “Team of the Year” award, an individual’s pivotal role within a successful team can still make them a strong SPOTY candidate.

Analysing Past Trends

Looking at historical winners can reveal some interesting patterns:

• Athletics Leads the Way: Historically, athletics has produced the most SPOTY winners.
• Olympic Years are Significant: Athletes who win Olympic gold medals, particularly in a dominant or memorable fashion, are frequently shortlisted and often win in Olympic years.
• Gender Balance: While male athletes have won more frequently throughout the award’s history, there have been periods with multiple female winners in succession. For instance, Mary Earps (football), Beth Mead (football), and Emma Raducanu (tennis) won in 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively.
• Multiple Winners: Only a select few have won the award more than once. Sir Andy Murray holds the record with three wins, while Lewis Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Henry Cooper, and Damon Hill have each won twice.
• Breakthrough Stars: Young athletes who achieve unexpected, sensational victories can capture the public’s heart, as seen with Emma Raducanu’s US Open win in 2021.

Top Picks and Current Contenders

As of May 2025, the betting markets for BBC Sports Personality of the Year are already active. It’s important to remember that odds will continue to shift as the sporting year unfolds.

Current Favourites and Strong Contenders

• Rory McIlroy (Golf): Following a reported historic Masters victory in April 2025, completing a career Grand Slam, McIlroy has emerged as the strong odds-on favourite with many bookmakers. This type of career-defining achievement often resonates strongly with SPOTY voters.
• Luke Littler (Darts): The teenage darts sensation who had a phenomenal start to 2024 and reportedly continued strong form into 2025, including winning the World Championship at the start of the year, remains a prominent contender. His youth and rapid rise have garnered significant public attention. However, the long gap between his World Championship win and the December vote could be a factor due to recency bias.
• Lando Norris (Formula 1): Should he achieve significant success in the 2025 Formula 1 season, potentially winning his maiden Grand Prix or even challenging for the World Championship, Norris could become a major SPOTY force. The F1 season finale often coincides closely with the SPOTY voting period.

Other Potential Contenders to Watch:

• Lionesses (Football): With the Women’s Euros taking place in July, key players from the England women’s football team, such as Lucy Bronze or Leah Williamson, could become strong candidates if the Lionesses perform well, especially if they replicate their previous Euros success.
• Jack Draper (Tennis): As a rising British talent in men’s tennis, a strong performance at Wimbledon or other major tournaments could significantly boost his profile and SPOTY chances.
• Keely Hodgkinson (Athletics): As the reported 2024 SPOTY winner and an Olympic champion, continued success on the track in major championships would keep her in the conversation.
• Emily Scarratt (Rugby): An inspirational comeback story coupled with potential success for England Rugby could see her odds shorten.

It’s crucial to stay updated with sporting events as the year progresses. Unexpected triumphs, underdog stories, and dominant performances in the summer and autumn can dramatically alter the betting landscape.

How to Place Your Bet

Placing a bet on SPOTY is straightforward:

1. Choose a Bookmaker: Select a reputable UK betting site that offers SPOTY odds. Many popular bookmakers typically cover the event.
2. Navigate to the Market: Find the “Sports Personality of the Year” market, usually located under “TV Specials,” “Novelty Bets,” or a similar category.
3. Select Your Contender: Click on the name of the sportsperson you want to back.
4. Enter Your Stake: Decide how much you want to wager and enter it into the bet slip.
5. Confirm Your Bet: Double-check your selection and stake, then confirm the bet.

Betting on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year offers an engaging way to follow a year of British sporting excellence. By understanding the award’s nuances, considering key influencing factors, and staying informed about current athletic achievements, you can make more informed betting decisions. Remember to gamble responsibly and enjoy the celebration of Britain’s sporting heroes.