SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR

JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

William Hill’s Sports Book of the Year is back! Who will be crowned our latest winner on Tuesday, 24th November? That award will be decided by our esteemed judging panel, but it is the public who will decide which book has the best cover.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE

You can view the 12 book covers from this year’s longlist below. All you need to do is decide which one is your favourite. Once you’ve made your choice, simply select your cover and click ‘vote for this book’. Voting closes on Sunday, 8th November, with the winner announced via @BookiePrize on the day of the awards.

F1 RACING: DRIVE

RACHEL BROOKES

Cover by Ana Bjezancevic

THIS IS NOT ABOUT RUNNING

MARY CAIN

Cover by Mumtaz Mustafa

BALL OF THE CENTURY

BRENDAN COOPER

Cover by Charlotte Stroomer

HH: HELENIO HERRERA – FOOTBALL’S ORIGINAL MASTER OF THE DARK ARTS

RICHARD FITZPATRICK

Cover by James Watson

FOR A YELLOW JERSEY

PAUL MAUNDER

Cover by Andrew Smith

TADEJ POGACAR: UNSTOPPABLE

ANDY MCGRATH

Cover by D.R.ink

TILL I DIE: WHY FOOTBALL MEANS EVERYTHING (EVEN WHEN IT SHOULDN’T)

DAMIEN PEARSE

Cover by Hayley Warnham

THE POWER WITHIN

SOPHIE POWER

Cover by David Eldridge

THE IMPOSSIBLE JOB

WILLIAM RALSTON

Cover by Louis Gabaldoni

RORY

ALAN SHIPNUCK

Cover by Matt Johnson

THE FALL AND RISE OF THE MOLKKY BAR KIDS: A SPORTING UNDERDOG STORY

NEIL SQUIRES

Cover by Kid-ethic

THE CHAIN

SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS

Cover by Simeon Greenway

FURTHER INFO ON THE SBOTY

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is the world’s oldest and most-valuable literary sports-writing prize. Former winners include Michael Holding, Duncan Hamilton, Lauren Fleshman, and David Walsh – who won last year with his book ‘The Escape’ with Pippa York.

THE JUDGES

A panel of five judges will be responsible for selecting the William Hill Sports Book of the Year shortlist and crowning the winner. For 2026, we’re delighted to welcome broadcaster Adrian Durham and former World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu MBE to the panel.

Adrian Durham

A football journalist, broadcaster, and the host of William Hill Sports Book Club, Adrian’s voice is well-known across the country as a host on Talksport.

Elis James

Elis is a Welsh comedian, actor and broadcaster who co-hosts an award-winning podcast with John Robins on BBC Sounds. A huge sports fan, Elis is a proud Swansea City and Wales supporter.

Mark Lawson

An accomplished journalist, broadcaster and author. Mark is a columnist for The Guardian and theatre critic of The Tablet. He was the first presenter of Radio 4’s Front Row and has written numerous books.

Christine Ohuruogu

The newest member of our judging panel is a British athletics icon. Christine won Olympic gold in the 400m at the 2008 Games in Beijing and claimed silver in the same event at London 2012. Since retiring, Christine has become an author with her Camp Gold series of children’s books.

Michelle Walder

Michelle has a wealth of experience in the sporting industry having set-up her own business specialising in leadership and coaching in 2004. She is also a non-executive board member at Brighton and Hove Albion, and chair of their women’s team.