British sports fans are getting an unprecedented say in who takes home the silverware this winter. BBC Sports Personality of the Year is officially returning for 2026, and in a major shake-up to the format, five of the night’s nine trophies will be decided directly by public vote.
The announcement follows an extraordinary 12 months of drama across the sporting landscape. From Team GB’s historic haul at their most successful Winter Olympics ever to England’s best men’s FIFA World Cup showing in six decades, the highlights have been relentless. Add in record-shattering displays at the European Athletics Championships and Arthur Fery’s thrilling, unexpected run to the Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finals, and the voting public will have no shortage of legendary moments to weigh up.
Adding extra spice to this year’s lineup are two fresh additions: Men’s Footballer of the Year and the 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.
While UK fans will exclusively decide the inaugural Men’s Footballer of the Year, the Women’s Footballer of the Year award will be determined by global vote, reflecting its heritage as a BBC World Service award.
Along with the two new football categories, the viewing public will cast their votes for World Sport Star of the Year, Team of the Year, and the big one itself—the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy.
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.”
Broadcasting live from Salford, the star-studded ceremony will be hosted by the returning dream team of Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott. The action kicks off on Sunday 13 December on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, airing from 5.45pm until 7.15pm.
The 2026 Award Categories
Bullet BBC Sports Personality of the Year (Public vote)
Bullet Men’s Footballer of the Year (UK public vote)
Bullet Women’s Footballer of the Year (Global public vote)
Bullet World Sport Star of the Year (Public vote)
Bullet Team of the Year (Public vote)
Bullet Young Sports Personality of the Year (Panel decision)
Bullet Coach of the Year (Panel decision)
Bullet Helen Rollason Award
Bullet Lifetime Achievement Award
How the Shortlists Work
Behind the scenes, the nomination process is already taking shape. 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
For the international award, global audiences will be able to vote for their standout player from 10 November. Full voting details, dates and T&Cs will be announced in due course as the countdown to 13 December officially begins.