Mary Earps reacting during an England women’s match after controversy over Hannah Hampton comments
England stars Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly have been nominated for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award, following their key roles in helping the Lionesses retain their European Championship crown this summer. If either of them wins, they will join teammates Beth Mead and Mary Earps, who claimed the honour in 2022 and 2023.
Earps won the award in 2023 after leading England to the World Cup final, becoming just the second Lioness to win SPOTY. The year before, Mead claimed the prize after her standout performances during England’s Euro 2022 triumph.
Hampton and Kelly now follow in their footsteps after starring in England’s penalty shootout win over Spain in the 2025 Euro final. Hampton produced crucial saves during the shootout, while Kelly — who famously scored the extra-time winner against Germany in the 2022 final — calmly slotted home the decisive penalty.
The pair headline a six-person shortlist announced by the BBC. Also nominated are:
Ellie Kildunne – Rugby union star
Luke Littler – Darts sensation
Rory McIlroy – 2025 Masters winner and new career Grand Slam holder
Lando Norris – Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion
Kelly has returned to Arsenal this season, while Hampton continues to shine as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper. Both have been central figures for club and country, boosting their SPOTY credentials.
BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski described the shortlist as a reflection of a “breathtaking year for sport”, adding that each nominee has produced moments “worthy of the history books”.
The final shortlist was selected by a panel featuring former athletes, journalists, broadcasters and key BBC sport figures.
The winner will be revealed on December 18, extending what has already been a strong period for women’s sport at the awards. There have been four consecutive female winners — Emma Raducanu (2021), Beth Mead (2022), Mary Earps (2023) and Keely Hodgkinson (2024).
Another England women’s star, Michelle Agyemang, is shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award, adding to a strong Lionesses presence across categories.
In the World Sport Star category, Arsenal and Spain midfielder Mariona Caldentey — Kelly’s club teammate — has been nominated alongside Mohamed Salah, Shohei Ohtani and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
With Hampton and Kelly now in the running, England’s dominant run at the SPOTY awards could well continue for a fifth straight year.
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