BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Betting Preview: Odds, Favorites, Predictions

Rory McIlroy (+110)

After achieving nearly everything in his career, McIlroy still lacked one major victory until 2025. He had not yet claimed a green jacket, but that changed on April 13.

The 35-year-old from Holywood, Northern Ireland, topped the leaderboard after a playoff against Justin Rose. With this win, McIlroy joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Ben Hogan as one of only six golfers to complete the career Grand Slam.

He did it. Rory McIlroy is a Masters Champion.
Late Sunday night after he slipped on the Green Jacket, after the dinners and the speeches, he sat down with me for a conversation about the burden he’s carried for so long, and the void he filled. pic.twitter.com/Cu1Tedt0GZ

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) April 14, 2025

McIlroy’s triumph also ended a long drought in major championships, as he had gone 11 years since his previous major win at the 2014 PGA Championship. During that period, he picked up several victories, including three FedEx Cups for the season title.

In addition to the Masters, McIlroy won THE PLAYERS Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, also recording eight top 10 finishes. THE PLAYERS is widely considered the “fifth major,” making 2025 a standout year for McIlroy.

Although he has never won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, he is likely to attract significant public support this year.

Lando Norris (+250)

Norris is part of a long line of talented British F1 drivers who have competed on motorsport’s biggest stage. At 26, he can’t yet be mentioned alongside legends like Jackie Stewart, Lewis Hamilton, or Jim Clark, but he’s on the verge of becoming the first British driver to win the World Drivers’ Championship since 2020.

Norris is enjoying the best season of his career, especially after the summer break. Trailing by nine points, he overtook McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to enter the Abu Dhabi finale as the championship leader.

McLaren have consistently made poor strategic choices late in the season, which allowed Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, once looking out of contention, to re-enter the title race. While Norris is favored to win the title in Abu Dhabi, the championship could have been secured earlier.

Norris isn’t the most popular driver on the grid. While he has strong support in England, he also faces detractors, including at home. He recently spoke about ignoring the boos – which were loud and noticeable in Mexico, Italy and Brazil – and online hate since leading the standings.

Lando Norris was booed as he walked onto the podium at Monza 👀 pic.twitter.com/xUqhglM3sk

— Autosport (@autosport) September 7, 2025

Some critics cite Norris’ ego or consider him overrated; beyond dedicated McLaren fans, he doesn’t enjoy broad popularity. While many McLaren supporters in the UK will back Norris, McIlroy’s wider appeal, even among casual sports fans, likely places him ahead of the F1 driver.

Despite a tough season, Ferrari’s Hamilton remains the most popular British driver. For this reason, I’m hesitant to back Norris at +250 odds. If he bottles the race in Abu Dhabi, there is little to no chance he wins, but even with a drivers’ title to his name, I don’t believe he has the votes.

Chloe Kelly (+250)

The Euro 2025 hero for England is one of the finalists for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. In two of the last three years, women’s football players have won the prize, with Mary Earps in 2023 and Beth Mead in 2022.

In fact, women have claimed the award for four consecutive years, with Lewis Hamilton in 2020 being the last male winner. With Kelly’s memorable 110 km/h penalty goal against Spain in the Euros final still fresh in fan’s minds, she’s expected to attract considerable support in the betting markets.

The fastest goal of the whole tournament ⚽💨

Chloe Kelly's penalty against Spain was recorded at 110km/h! pic.twitter.com/1N7t3kCkl4

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 28, 2025

Alongside her Euro triumph, Kelly’s club team Arsenal won the UEFA Women’s Champions League in May 2025. In the 2025-26 season, Kelly has already tallied two goals and an assist in eight matches.

Still, it’s that unforgettable Euro penalty that could secure the BBC Sports Personality of the Year title.

Hannah Hampton (+1600)

The 2025 Women’s Footballer of the Year needs more respect than her current odds suggest at +1600. The 25-year-old native of Birmingham is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Women’s Super League.

She was a force for Chelsea this past season, leading the team to the league title. Hampton allowed only four goals and registered 27 saves, for a 85.2% save percentage to lead the Women’s Super League by far. In short, Hampton had a 0.50 goals against per 90 minutes on the pitch!

A chance for Hannah Hampton to show off her BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award to the Stamford Bridge crowd before tonight's match! 🏆#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/XzV94KH47D

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 25, 2025

Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce is second with 0.75 goals against per 90, so Hampton is in a league of her own. In addition to leading Chelsea to the Super League title, she was in fantastic form at the Euros, which led to the opportunity for Kelly to record the game-winner.

Hampton should have closer odds to Kelly’s +250, so there is top value on the goalkeeper at +1600!