Jude Bellingham ’s World Cup heroics have left him among the early frontrunners to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2026 . The Real Madrid midfielder was England’s stand-out performer in North America as the Three Lions claimed third place , their best finish since being crowned world champions in 1966 .
Bellingham is one of four athletes rated @ 7/2 with BOYLE Sports to win SPOTY , alongside skeleton star Matt Weston , middle-distance runner Josh Kerr , and 2025 winner Rory McIlroy . Here we take a closer look at some of the main contenders to win the prestigious award later this year.
Betting Odds
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Betting Odds
Player | Odds | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|
Jude Bellingham | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Josh Kerr | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Rory McIlroy | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Matt Weston | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Harry Kane | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Lewis Hamilton | 10/1 | 9.1% |
George Russell | 16/1 | 5.9% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham - 7/2
Bellingham is in contention to join an elite club by becoming only the fifth male England footballer to win SPOTY , after Bobby Moore (1966), Paul Gascoigne (1990), Michael Owen (1998) and David Beckham (2001). The 23-year-old was one of the stars of England’s World Cup campaign, scoring a national-record seven goals at the finals - earning him the Bronze Boot behind Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi - and winning four man of the match awards.
Josh Kerr
Josh Kerr - 7/2
The world of athletics has provided a record 19 SPOTY winners down the years - 11 more than any other sport - and Kerr has the chance to add his name to the likes of inaugural winner Chris Chataway, Seb Coe, Mo Farah and 2024 victor Keely Hodgkinson . The 28-year-old Scot is among the frontrunners this year after winning 3,000m gold at the World Indoor Championships in Poland and smashing the long-standing mile world record at this month's London Diamond League meet.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy - 7/2
McIlroy is seeking to become the first person since Andy Murray in 2016 to win back-to-back SPOTY awards after finishing top of the voting for the first time last December. Having completed his career grand slam and won the Ryder Cup in 2025, this year the Northern Ireland star has retained his Masters crown at Augusta, the sixth major of his career, while he was runner-up at the Genesis Invitational and seventh at both the PGA Championship and Scottish Open.
Matt Weston
Matt Weston - 7/2
Weston may not be a household name like some others on this list but the skeleton racer’s achievements stack up impressively against any of his rivals. The 29-year-old made history in Milan-Cortina in February by becoming the first Briton to win two gold medals at a single Winter Olympics . That was the latest in a string of notable triumphs for the reigning world, European and World Cup champion, who only took up the sport less than a decade ago.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane - 8/1
Kane joins England team-mate Bellingham in the running to win SPOTY after a stellar year for club and country. The 32-year-old's six-goal haul at the World Cup took his tally for the last 12 months to 73 goals in just 65 appearances for England and Bayern Munich . The Three Lions captain won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with Bayern as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
Other Contenders
Other leading SPOTY contenders: Lewis Hamilton 10/1, George Russell 16/1, Luke Littler 20/1, Keely Hodgkinson 25/1
Betting Tips
SPOTY Betting Tips
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Bet on BBC Sports Personality of the Year Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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