Rory McIlroy Wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award
Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish professional golfer, has been named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2025. This prestigious award caps off an incredible year for McIlroy, who ended his wait for a green jacket and achieved a career grand slam. He also played a crucial role in helping Team Europe defend the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil.
McIlroy’s victory marks a significant milestone for golf, as the sport had to wait over three decades for one of its athletes to receive this honor. The last time a golfer won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award was in 1989, when Nick Faldo took home the prize. Despite the achievements of notable golfers like Danny Willett, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Darren Clarke, and Graeme McDowell, the sport had not received this recognition in a long time.
Which Sport Has Won the Most BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards?
Athletics leads the way with 19 winners, including recent recipients like Keely Hodgkinson, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Paula Radcliffe. Formula One drivers have won the award eight times, with Lewis Hamilton accounting for two of those victories. However, winning the F1 title does not guarantee a win, as seen in the cases of James Hunt and Lando Norris, who missed out on the award despite their impressive performances.
Football has also had its share of winners, with the number increasing in recent years thanks to the success of the Lionesses. Mary Earps and Beth Mead won the award in consecutive years, and Ryan Giggs was the last male footballer to receive the honor in 2009. Other sports, such as tennis, cricket, boxing, and cycling, have also produced winners over the years.
Full List of BBC Sports Personality of the Year Winners
The list of past winners is a testament to the diverse range of sports and athletes that have been recognized for their outstanding achievements. From athletics and football to golf and tennis, the award has been presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective sports.
Some notable winners include:
- 2025: Rory McIlroy (Golf)
- 2024: Keely Hodgkinson (Athletics)
- 2023: Mary Earps (Football)
- 2022: Beth Mead (Football)
- 2021: Emma Raducanu (Tennis)
- 2020: Lewis Hamilton (Formula One)
- 2019: Ben Stokes (Cricket)
- 2018: Geraint Thomas (Cycling)
- 2017: Mo Farah (Athletics)
- 2016: Andy Murray (Tennis)
- 2015: Andy Murray (Tennis)
- 2014: Lewis Hamilton (Formula One)
- 2013: Andy Murray (Tennis)
- 2012: Bradley Wiggins (Cycling)
- 2011: Mark Cavendish (Cycling)
- 2010: Tony McCoy (Horse racing)
- 2009: Ryan Giggs (Football)
- 2008: Chris Hoy (Cycling)
- 2007: Joe Calzaghe (Boxing)
- 2006: Zara Phillips (Eventing)
- 2005: Andrew Flintoff (Cricket)
- 2004: Kelly Holmes (Athletics)
- 2003: Jonny Wilkinson (Rugby union)
- 2002: Paula Radcliffe (Athletics)
- 2001: David Beckham (Football)
- 2000: Steve Redgrave (Rowing)
- 1999: Lennox Lewis (Boxing)
- 1998: Michael Owen (Football)
- 1997: Greg Rusedski (Tennis)
- 1996: Damon Hill (Formula One)
- 1995: Jonathan Edwards (Athletics)
- 1994: Damon Hill (Formula One)
- 1993: Linford Christie (Athletics)
- 1992: Nigel Mansell (Formula One)
- 1991: Liz McColgan (Athletics)
- 1990: Paul Gascoigne (Football)
- 1989: Nick Faldo (Golf)
- 1988: Steve Davis (Snooker)
- 1987: Fatima Whitbread (Athletics)
- 1986: Nigel Mansell (Formula One)
- 1985: Barry McGuigan (Boxing)
- 1984: Torvill & Dean (Figure skating)
- 1983: Steve Cram (Athletics)
- 1982: Daley Thompson (Athletics)
- 1981: Ian Botham (Cricket)
- 1980: Robin Cousins (Figure skating)
- 1979: Sebastian Coe (Athletics)
- 1978: Steve Ovett (Athletics)
- 1977: Virginia Wade (Tennis)
- 1976: John Curry (Figure skating)
- 1975: David Steele (Cricket)
- 1974: Brendan Foster (Athletics)
- 1973: Jackie Stewart (Formula One)
- 1972: Mary Peters (Athletics)
- 1971: Princess Anne (Eventing)
- 1970: Henry Cooper (Boxing)
- 1969: Ann Jones (Tennis)
- 1968: David Hemery (Athletics)
- 1967: Henry Cooper (Boxing)
- 1966: Bobby Moore (Football)
- 1965: Tom Simpson (Cycling)
- 1964: Mary Rand (Athletics)
- 1963: Dorothy Hyman (Athletics)
- 1962: Anita Lonsbrough (Swimming)
- 1961: Stirling Moss (Formula One)
- 1960: David Broome (Show jumping)
- 1959: John Surtees (Motorcycle racing)
- 1958: Ian Black (Swimming)
- 1957: Dai Rees (Golf)
- 1956: Jim Laker (Cricket)
- 1955: Gordon Pirie (Athletics)
- 1954: Christopher Chataway (Athletics)
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is a prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding achievements in sports. The award has been presented annually since 1954, and the list of past winners is a testament to the diverse range of sports and athletes that have been recognized for their contributions.
