Chloe Kelly Is a Favourite for the Sports Personality of the Year Award
England’s victory in the UEFA European Women’s Euro 2025 has reignited betting interest in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang are both firmly in the Sports Personality of the Year picture. ©Getty
Key Facts:
- UEFA Women’s Euro victory leads to Sports Personality of the Year betting revamp.
- Golfer Rory McIlroy and footballer Chloe Kelly now share favouritism.
- Darts World Champion, Luke Littler, drifts from 5/4 to 12/1.
- F1’s Lando Norris could arrive late to spoil the party.
The England women’s national football team, nicknamed the Lionesses, have retained the UEFA European Women’s Championship title following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over ante-post favourites, Spain. The result has turned Sports Personality of the Year Award betting on its head.
Rory McIlroy had traded as odds-on favourite in the betting for the BBC prize since his US Golf Masters triumph in mid-April. The Northern Irishman has been nominated for the award four times in the past. His best finishing position was second in 2014.
Beforehand, it was Luke Littler that punters loved. Following his World Darts Championship success at the turn of the year, the 18-year-old traded as the 5/4 favourite in the perennial Sports Personality betting market.
The youngster won the Young Sports Personality of the Year award in December 2024 and took second in the main Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) category at the same award ceremony. To date, no darts player has ever won SPOTY. Littler is now 12/1 to change that in 2025.
A Third Goal Following Mead and Earps?
England’s Lionesses have enjoyed a purple patch in recent years. Success in the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euros – the first major trophy for England since 1966 – saw Beth Mead, as the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament Award recipient, take that year’s SPOTY accolade.
Twelve months later, goalkeeper Mary Earps, who played every minute of the World Cup, winning the Golden Glove award for three clean sheets (and only conceding four goals across the tournament), was voted the SPOTY winner.
The current betting odds suggest a female footballer will win SPOTY for a third time in four years. However, whereas Mead and Earps had outstanding credentials, many players excelled in England’s most recent success.
Could Bronze or Agyemang Take Gold?
Michelle Agyemang, Lauren James, Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, and Ella Toone scored two goals apiece in the competition. Arguably, Agyemang’s contribution was the most important. Her 81st-minute goal against Sweden forced the quarter-final clash into a penalty shootout.
She also struck in the semi-final against Italy. Her 96th-minute goal took the match into stoppage time, paving the way for a tie won in extra time. Despite playing for just 138 minutes during the competition, Michelle Agyemang was named UEFA Young Player of the Tournament.
Her name means “savior of a nation”. She went from ball girl to national hero 🏴
💫 At just 19, Michelle Agyemang lit up Euro 2025 for the Lionesses, scoring twice off the bench to rescue England’s hopes and be crowned UEFA Young Player of the Tournament. pic.twitter.com/qFnLHBnGCw
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) July 29, 2025
Nevertheless, the UK’s best betting sites have the youngster priced on 50/1 odds for SPOTY glory. Also available on double-digits (33/1) is England’s right-back, Lucy Bronze, who scored in the quarter final against Sweden and converted a shootout penalty later in the match.
After the tournament, it was revealed that she had played the entire tournament, spending almost 600 minutes on the pitch, with a fractured tibia. She now holds the record for the most appearances for the Lionesses in major tournaments.
Gloves Are off for Hannah Hampton Fans
Mary Earps’ shock retirement just five weeks before the Euros thrust Hannah Hampton into the role of England’s goalkeeper. Defying the pressure, the 24-year-old proved to be one of England’s defining heroes at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
In the quarter‑final against Sweden, with England trailing 2‑0, she made two critical saves during the marathon 14-player shootout. In the final, versus Spain, she saved two penalties, helping England clinch the title via a 3‑1 shootout victory after a 1‑1 draw.
UEFA named Hampton the official Player of the Match in the final – an extraordinary feat for a goalkeeper – but bookmakers believe this is only good enough to install her as third favourite in the SPOTY betting priced on 13/2 odds.
Does Chloe Kelly Have a Decisive SPOTY Goal?
The mantle of SPOTY betting favourite is shared by golfer Rory McIlroy and another UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 star, Chloe Kelly. Both can be backed on 6/4 odds.
It was Kelly who netted the decisive penalty in the final. Beforehand, in the semi-final against Sweden, she came off the bench to provide two vital assists (in the 79th and 81st minutes) that brought the scores level.
Kelly could be backed at 125/1 odds for SPOTY glory ahead of the Euros. She has been saying all the things the SPOTY shortlisting panel and voters like to hear. Now, the only question appears to be whether she will be the betting favourite when the final shortlist is announced.
Chloe Kelly says she’s “proud to be English” after her latest heroics at Euro 2025 for the Lionesses 🏆🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/mshldVSJXP
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 28, 2025
Will December Date Make Norris a 20/1 Gift?
Whilst McIlroy and Kelly now have form in the book and trophies on the mantlepiece, the destination of the 2025 SPOTY award may become clouded if Lando Norris lifts the Formula 1 World Championship.
Norris is locked in a thrilling championship battle with teammate Oscar Piastri, whom he currently trails by 16 points. There are 11 more races on the 2025 calendar, with the season concluding on December 7, just a few weeks before the BBC broadcasts SPOTY.
History suggests the title’s outcome could easily go down to the final race, potentially thrusting Norris into the spotlight at the right time. The 25-year-old is currently trading at 20/1 odds.
The price will tempt many, with Formula 1 being the second most successful sport in terms of SPOTY winners. However, as a female has won this award for the past four years (and women footballers twice in three years), form students will prefer the UEFA Women’s Euros angle.
