The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award (or SPOTY) was first held in 1954 when around 14,500 voters decided (controversially, in retrospect) to crown Christopher Chataway over fellow runner Roger Bannister.
Since then the winners read like a roll call of British sporting greats, with the likes of Mo Farah, Ian Botham, Nick Faldo, Steve Redgrave, Lewis Hamilton, Kelly Holmes and David Beckham all lifting the trophy.
Several Scots have also lifted the trophy, including Sir Andy Murray (a record three times), Sir Jackie Stewart, Liz McColgan and Sir Chris Hoy.
Last year saw golfer Rory McIlroy take the main prize, after a long-awaited Masters win saw him complete his career Grand Slam.
He’s one of the favourites again this year, after the successful defence of his Master title.
Scottish mile world record holder Josh Kerr was leading the pack, fresh from taking gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games but there’s now a new favourite after the recent European Athletics Championships which Kerr opted to skip.
Here are the current 11 favourites to be crowned SPOTY 2026.
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1. Amy Hunt - 4/7
Amy Hunt's heroics in winning an unprecedented four gold medals at the recent European Athletics Championships make her the hot 4/7 favourite to win this year's SPOTY Award. It feels like it'll take something special to stop her from picking up the trophy. | Getty Images
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2. Luke Littler - 7/1
Darting prodigy Luke Littler has won pretty much everything in the game, including back-to-back World Championships. He suffers at the SPOTY year awards as his sports biggest tournament takes place just after the ceremony. He's still won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award though, and came runner-up in the main award in 2024. He's a 7/1 shot to go all the way this year. | Getty Images
3. Harry Kane - 8/1
Harry Kane may not have captained England to World Cup success, but he did manage to help his team to a creditable third place (and a bronze medal) in a thrilling 10-goal match against France, and scored six goals along the way. He's the 8/1 third favourite. | Getty Images
4. Matt Weston - 9/1
Matt Weston won double-gold in the skeleton at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics this year and is priced at 9/1 to add the SPOTY trophy to his mantelpiece. | AFP via Getty Images