Who will win 2024 BBC SPOTY award: odds, favourites and predictions
Who will be recognised as the best British athlete by the fans?
The 71st annual award for the best British athlete will be presented at the end of the year. However, following the results of two major sporting events – the Olympics and UEFA Euro – bookmakers have already identified the top contenders.
SPOTY 2024 Winner Odds
There's still a long way to go before the shortlist is announced and before one of the most democratic sports awards in the world will be presented. The winner is determined by phone and online votes from anyone who wants to participate. However, there is already a clear frontrunner: track and field athlete and Paris gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson.
Below is the table with the top five favourites
Keely Hodgkinson
She managed to sweeten the pill for Britain at the Olympics. Despite the country confidently finishing in the top three in terms of overall medal count, the number of gold medals only allowed for a seventh-place finish, behind not only the main competitors like Japan, Australia, and France, but even the Netherlands.
The 22-year-old dominated the 800m final to win gold and become only the 10th British woman to win athletics gold at the Olympic Games. She's also only the third British woman to win the title - and first since Kelly Holmes in Athens 20 years ago. Hodgkinson has had an incredible season, during which, in addition to her Olympic victory, she won gold at the European Championships in Rome, Italy, and set a new British record in the Diamond League for the 800 metres with a time record of 1:54.61, making her the sixth-fastest woman in history over the distance.
Over 10 years ago, the rules for creating the shortlist were changed to ensure more women could be included. Last year, the SPOTY award went to the goalkeeper of the England women's national football team, Mary Earps, who became the only female footballer to be honoured with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds. And this year, Hodgkinson has an excellent chance to continue what might be a new tradition.
Luke Littler
A wunderkind who took the darts world by storm, rising from amateur to professional in just one season, defeating several established favourites, and setting a couple of records along the way.
16-year-old Littler rapidly became a household name when reaching the final of the World Darts Championship in January. Despite losing to Luke Humphries in the final at Alexandra Palace, Littler soon got his revenge when becoming the youngest Premier League Darts champion in history. Within just one month, he managed to defeat five world champions in official matches. He also holds two world records: the youngest player to hit a televised nine-darter and the youngest winner of a PDC TV tournament.
During the World Series stage in Bahrain, Littler managed to score 350 points in just two turns: throwing a perfect 180 and then closing out the maximum possible 170. He even entertained the crowd afterward, casting an imaginary fishing rod—a nod to the 170 checkout, often referred to as "the big fish." Considering the voting format, his ability to win over fans could be a significant advantage.
Mark Cavendish
He sits third following his record 35th stage win at the Tour de France. Despite stomach issues, Sir Mark won the fifth stage with a time record of 4 hours, 8 minutes, and 46 seconds over a distance of 177.4 km.
Before this, the record for stage wins had been held by the legendary Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx, a five-time winner of the Tour de France general classification. Cavendish has also won two stages at the Tour de Hongrie and the Tour Colombia this season. However, it seems that if he does receive an award, it is more likely to be given in recognition of his overall achievements.
A multiple world champion in track cycling, the first British rider to wear the pink jersey as the general classification leader at the Giro d'Italia, a silver medalist at the Rio Olympics, and one of the fastest men on the planet, has announced his imminent retirement. On his home Isle of Man, the athlete was recently given an emotional lap of honour on the track, which will soon be renamed in his honour. The SPOTY title could certainly be the cherry on top of a brilliant professional career.
Thomas Pidcock
Another cyclist on the list of contenders. Unlike Cavendish, his career is at its peak. Importantly, the 25-year-old athlete has a unique style, managing to compete in several cycling disciplines simultaneously, reminiscent of the legendary British racer John Surtees—the only driver to become a world champion in both Formula 1 (1964, Ferrari) and motorcycle racing.
This year, Pidcock missed the Tour de France due to COVID. However, he already has a stage win under his belt from 2022. Despite this setback, the season has been generous in terms of accolades. He achieved record victories at cyclo-cross and mountain bike cross-country (XCO) UCI World Cups, and the small matter of the Amstel Gold race—a Spring Classic—on the road. Not to mention the gold medal (his second consecutive) in mountain biking at the Paris Olympics.
He’s not content with just winning either, but wants to do it in his signature style – whether that’s doing a no-handed wheelie up during a Tour de France stage or celebrating his 2022 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship win by crossing the line in a Superman pose. What has earned him the love of millions around the world. Pidcock dreams of a treble—to win the road, cyclo-cross, and MTB world championships all in the same year. Perhaps in the year when that happens, the SPOTY award will find its hero from Yorkshire. For now, however, bookmakers don't see his chances of winning as particularly high.
Lando Norris
This year, he’s finally broken the curse by securing his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix. It took him 110 races to achieve this milestone. Additionally, with 16 podium finishes before his first win, he set a record—or rather, shared it with four other drivers.
With 7 podium finishes in addition to his victory, Lando comfortably holds second place in the drivers' standings, trailing only Verstappen. While the potential silver medal, which he could secure both for himself and the British team McLaren, is certainly an achievement, it may not be the ultimate dream for compatriots who were spoiled by Hamilton's incredible championship streak. However, sometimes fan-voted awards can be given as a vote of confidence for future success.
Even despite finishing 6th last season, Norris received two prestigious individual awards: the Autosport Awards British Competition Driver of the Year in his home country and the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy directly from Formula 1. This season, Lando is shining like never before. Beyond the track, his active social stance—alongside his support of the Mind charity, Norris himself is an advocate for increasing mental health visibility in sports—could earn him support from people even far removed from the world of sports.
Some Other Contenders to Win the 2024 SPOTY Award
Some bookmakers see Emma Finucane's chances as equal to Lando Norris'. The 21-year-old track cyclist shone at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first British woman to win three medals at a single Games since 1964. You can bet on her victory with odds of
25/1
Far beyond the top five, some star names remain. For example, Jude Bellingham, who also suffered a painful defeat in the Euro final, is priced at
50/1
. However, this could change with the awarding of the Ballon d'Or, as Bellingham still retains chances of winning it, as noted in our review.
Tyson Fury might have better odds than
80/1
if he hadn't lost the title and highly anticipated fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
Finally, Lewis Hamilton, who has won the award twice and has been in the top three a record six times, is priced at
100/1
England
Ireland
Italy
France
Israel
Belgium
Makedonia
Faroe Islands
Latvia
Armenia
