The BBC has announced a significant overhaul to the voting process for its prestigious Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award, set to take effect for the 2025 ceremony. The changes, revealed on Thursday 18 December 2025, are designed to increase public engagement and add a new layer of drama to the competition's finale.
A New Two-Stage Voting System
Under the new format, the traditional one-off public vote has been replaced by a two-stage voting process. Initially, the viewing public will be able to vote for any of the six shortlisted contenders. From this first round, only the three athletes with the highest number of votes will progress to become finalists.
A second, decisive ballot will then open. In this final stage, the public can vote again, but this time they must choose only one of the three remaining finalists. Crucially, the votes from both stages will be combined to determine the ultimate winner of the coveted trophy.
Team of the Year Also Goes to Public Vote
This voting twist is one of two major changes for the 2025 awards. In another first, the 'Team of the Year' category will also be decided solely by public vote. Previously, this award was determined by a panel of experts, marking a substantial shift towards giving fans more direct influence over the ceremony's outcomes.
Implications for the Awards Show
These adjustments are expected to heighten suspense throughout the live broadcast, as the leaderboard could shift dramatically between the two voting windows. The move underscores the BBC's commitment to making the event more interactive and reflective of the audience's preferences. The combination of votes from both rounds aims to ensure that the winner has demonstrated consistent popularity, potentially rewarding athletes with a broad and sustained fanbase.
The announcement, detailed by the BBC, confirms that the core spirit of the awards—celebrating the year's finest sporting achievements—remains unchanged. However, the path to victory for the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year is now a more complex and engaging journey for both the nominees and the public.
