SPOTY 2025 Odds. Littler or Norris — who is the main favourite?
There are still at least a dozen major events to come before the 72nd SPOTY award ceremony in December 2025—any of which could completely reshape the odds and bookmakers’ rankings. But finding such tempting prices even in the summer will definitely be a challenge. Here’s a look at the most democratic sports award in the UK and the most interesting SPORT betting odds.
Who Will Win SPOTY 2025?
SPOTY 2025 Betting Odds
By autumn, bookmakers usually have a clear favourite, and the odds tend to shorten dramatically. Over the past five years, the favourite at the start of autumn has always won the award. Last year, by August, Britain’s athletics star Keely Hodgkinson was already priced at just 3/10, and she ultimately took home the trophy. Of course, it was an Olympic year, and Keely’s triumph in Paris played a decisive role.
Her main rival back then, Luke Littler, now leads the betting for 2025, ahead of several top Formula 1 drivers.
Top 5 Contenders for SPOTY 2025: winner odds
SPOTY 2025 Favourites
It’s important to remember that this is a public award. Yes, the shortlist is drawn up by BBC sports experts in December, but the final vote is decided by ordinary Britons, who either call in or submit their votes online. And they’re often influenced not just by athletic achievements, but also by the athlete’s charisma.
That said, even crowd favourites like Tyson Fury
33/1
and Paddy Pimblett
100/1
won’t stand a chance unless they prove themselves in the ring or the octagon and make it onto the shortlist.
Luke Littler (Darts)
The teenage prodigy who rose from amateur ranks to dominate the professional circuit is now the outright favourite in every tournament he enters. This year alone, he managed to win the UK Open, Premier League Night Five in Brighton, and the Belgian Open — all in the space of a single week.
And let’s not forget, he became the youngest-ever world champion before even turning 18. At the next World Championship, he’s already the bookmakers’ frontrunner at odds of
3/2
No other SPOTY contender comes close to matching his trophy count this year.
Finishing second in last year’s SPOTY was already a major statement. Statistically, athletes who previously placed in the top three see their chances of winning increase by around 30 percent. Familiarity plays a key role, as the public has already had time to get to know them.
Littler’s biggest — and perhaps only — challenge is that darts isn’t the most popular sport in Britain. We’ve seen time and again how athletes from more high-profile sports steal the spotlight from the hard workers. In 2002, David Beckham won SPOTY despite claiming no major titles with club or country, while Paula Radcliffe, who took European gold and set a world marathon record, finished second.
Lando Norris (Formula One)
Now here’s a representative from one of the UK’s most popular sports. Formula 1 drivers trail only track and field athletes when it comes to the number of SPOTY wins.
SPOTY Winners by Sport
|
Sport |
Number of Winners |
|
Athletics |
19 |
|
Formula 1 |
8 |
|
Football |
7 |
|
Tennis |
7 |
|
Cricket |
5 |
Norris started the new season with a victory and is currently rated the main favourite to win the championship at odds of
17/20
If the bookmakers’ predictions come true, it would be a great story for the nation: a Brit winning behind the wheel of a British car. That hasn’t happened in 17 years.
Lewis Hamilton (Formula One)
In terms of SPOTY awards, Lewis is second only to Andy Murray. He has won the main prize twice and finished runner-up on four other occasions. Let’s be honest: if Hamilton relaunches his career at Ferrari and wins the championship, Littler (or anyone else) won’t stand a chance. Schumacher’s record would fall, and Hamilton would sit alone on the throne.
However, Ferrari has had a disastrous start to the season, and the Brit is ranked sixth favourite for the championship with odds of
20/1
You can even bet on him not winning a single race this year, with odds of
4/1
Jack Draper (Tennis)
Britain’s biggest hope in men’s tennis. He defeated Carlos Alcaraz on his way to winning his first ATP Masters title in Indian Wells. In fact, only four other British tennis players have ever achieved this. And he’s certainly not short on confidence.
He’s already in the ATP top 10 right now. And the Grand Slam season is just getting started. We already know how much British fans love their tennis players, judging by Andy Murray’s collection of SPOTY titles.
Ellie Kildunne (Rugby Union)
The England full-back was named Player of the Year in 2024, when England completed a Grand Slam in the Six Nations. This year, England is hosting the World Cup for the first time since 2010. The Red Roses have lost the last two World Cup finals. If Kildunne can break the “curse”, fans will be more than happy to vote for her.
She recently said in an interview that England is experiencing a golden age for women’s sport. Who could argue? The last four SPOTY awards have gone to women, although men still lead in the overall statistics.
SPOTY Winners by Gender
|
Gender |
First Place |
Second Place |
Third Place |
|
Male |
54 |
58 |
49 |
|
Female |
16 |
10 |
20 |
|
Mix |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Other Top Contenders
Leah Williamson and Lucy Bronze (women’s football) are both among the top contenders in the betting odds ahead of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship taking place this summer.England will defend their title as reigning European champions, having secured the trophy three years ago — a victory that led to Beth Mead winning the SPOTY award in 2022.
In 2023, the Lionesses made it to the World Cup final, with Mary Earps claiming the SPOTY honour. Should England deliver another strong performance, it’s expected that one of their standout players will become a frontrunner for the prize once again.
Who Will Win SPOTY 2025?
Finally, George Russell remains in the mix, having started the Formula 1 season stronger than Hamilton and currently priced at
25/1
And of course, there’s Jude Bellingham, who, despite Real Madrid’s inconsistent performances, is driving them towards another Champions League title. However, it’s worth noting that Bellingham didn’t even make the top three last year, despite helping England reach the Euros final and winning the Champions League.
Real Madrid
Leganes
Bayern Munich
St. Pauli
Juventus
Genoa
Fulham
Crystal Palace
Real Sociedad
Valladolid
