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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5. Josh Kerr- 9/1
Josh Kerr was the hot favourite to win the title after a remarkable year where he bagged the world record for the mile, then won the gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games at the same event. Now outshone on the track by Amy Hunt, he's dropped down to being a 9/1 shot. | Getty Images
6. Lewis Hamilton - 10/1
Formula One racing great Lewis Hamilton is one of the only people to have won the SPOTY Award more than once - in both 2014 and 2020. He's a 10/1 shot to make it a hat-trick in 2026. | Getty Images
7. Rory McIlroy - 14/1
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy achieved a remarkable feat when he successfully defended his Masters title earlier this year. He's a 14/1 shot. | Getty Images
8. Jude Bellingham - 16/1
Another member of England's third placed World Cup team, Jude Bellingham was his country's top scorer with seven goals. He's priced at 16/1 to win SPOTY 2026. | Getty Images