Sports Personality Of The Year returns to BBC One this December with schedule demotion
BBC Sports Personality of the Year is back for 2026 and audiences will have more influence than ever over the outcome of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, with five of the nine awards decided by public vote this year.
From Team GB's most successful Winter Olympics ever and England's best men's FIFA World Cup performance in 60 years, to record-breaking displays at the European Athletics Championships and Arthur Fery's unexpected run to the Wimbledon men's singles semi-finals, fans have been treated to an incredible year of sporting moments that will live long in the memory.
There will be two new award categories at the ceremony this year; Men’s Footballer of the Year and BBC World Service Women’s Footballer of the Year*. In a new addition to BBC Sports Personality of the Year, audiences will have a direct say in deciding the year's standout men's and women's footballers after an unforgettable year for the sport at home and around the world.
The Men’s Footballer of the Year will be decided by a UK public vote whilst the Women’s Footballer of the Year award will be determined by global vote, reflecting its heritage as a BBC World Service award.
In addition to crowning the winners for Men’s Footballer of the Year and Women’s Footballer of the Year, sports fans will also select the winners for World Sport Star of the Year, Team of the Year and the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award itself.
Live from Salford and hosted by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott the star-studded show will take place on Sunday 13 December on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 5.45pm until 7.15pm.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year remains one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated events in the British sporting calendar, with 2026 no less packed with sporting achievements to celebrate.
Director of BBC Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, said: "What I love about BBC Sports Personality of the Year is that it brings together all those moments that stopped us in our tracks. The goals, the medals, the upsets, the records, the stories that had us talking at work, in the pub and around the dinner table. And what a year we've had. This year's shortlists will be packed with athletes and teams who have achieved extraordinary things, but what's especially exciting is that audiences will have a bigger say than ever before in who takes home the trophies.”
The nine award categories are:
BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Helen Rollason Award
Young Sports Personality of the Year
Coach of the Year
Team of the Year
Lifetime Achievement award
Men’s Footballer of the Year
Women’s Footballer of the Year (a BBC World Service award)
World Sport Star of the Year
The Women’s Footballer of the Year award has been a BBC World Service award since 2015 and is decided by a global public vote. In 2026, it will be presented as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards for the first time, while continuing to be determined by votes from audiences around the world. Global audiences will be able to vote for their standout player from 10 November.
Men’s Footballer of the Year is a brand-new category. The Women’s Footballer of the Year award will continue to be decided by a global public vote, reflecting its heritage as a BBC World Service award, while Men’s Footballer of the Year will be decided by a UK public vote. The winners of both awards will be revealed on 13 December during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards show.
An independent panel made up of industry experts, sports broadcasters, sports journalists and former sportspeople will determine the shortlists for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Team of the Year and World Sports Star awards, with the winners chosen by public votes. The independent panel will also determine the winners of Young SPOTY and Coach of the Year.
Separate panels of football experts will provide the shortlist of contenders for Men’s Footballer of the Year and Women’s Footballer of the Year. Full voting details, dates and T&Cs will be announced in due course.
