Specials
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Odds: McIlroy Overwhelming Favourite for SPOTY
Rory McIlroy has tightened his grip on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year market after William Hill cut the Northern Irishman into 1/2 following the official announcement of this year’s shortlist.
McIlroy had been jostling for favouritism with Chloe Kelly in recent weeks, but the release of the nominees has triggered a fresh surge of support for the Masters champion and Grand Slam winner, placing him firmly in pole position heading into the final stretch of the competition.
Punters had already been leaning his way, but confirmation that he makes the final six appears to have solidified what many bettors suspected that McIlroy is now the one to beat.
Chloe Kelly, who led the betting earlier in the year after her standout performance for England in the Euros, has now drifted to 9/2 and sits third in the market. She has been leapfrogged by Formula 1 star Lando Norris, whose Drivers’ Championship triumph has seen him tighten to 4/1.
With the ceremony fast approaching, the trio have established themselves as the clear frontrunners, leaving a noticeable gulf to the remaining contenders.
Luke Littler, Hannah Hampton and Ellie Kildunne all feature on the shortlist, but judging by the market, they are viewed as outsiders rather than genuine threats to the top three.
Littler trades at 16/1, Hampton is 25/1, and Red Roses standout Ellie Kildunne is the rank outsider at 50/1, rounding out a field that looks increasingly defined by McIlroy’s growing dominance in the betting.
William Hill – TV/Specials –BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 Latest Odds:
- Rory McIlroy – 1/2
- Lando Norris – 4/1
- Chloe Kelly – 9/2
- Luke Littler – 16/1
- Hannah Hampton – 25/1
- Ellie Kildunne – 50/1
*Odds accurate at time of writing
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominees were revealed this morning and Rory McIlroy is the overwhelming pick of the six contenders.
“He’s been at the top of our market for a number of weeks at a shade shorter than Evens, but we’ve now cut his odds to 1/2 to win the award.
“Long-time favourite Chloe Kelly has been pushed out to 9/2 and she now trails recent Drivers’ Champion Lando Norris, who has seen his odds shorten to 4/1.
“The outsider of the lot is Red Roses star Ellie Kildunne at 50/1, with Luke Littler (16/1) and Hannah Hampton (25/1) ahead of her.”
With momentum clearly behind McIlroy, bettors appear to be treating this year’s SPOTY race as his to lose. The Masters win, combined with an impressive season across the board, has strengthened his narrative at precisely the right moment.
Norris may have a compelling story of his own after securing his first F1 world title, and Kelly remains an iconic figure of England’s summer success, but the market suggests both will need a major swing in public voting to overturn McIlroy’s advantage.
