Rory McIlroy confirms BBC Sports Personality of the Year plans

Rory McIlroy plans to take centre stage at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 next month, according to the Telegraph.

The grand slam champion will swap his spikes for a suit at MediaCityUK in Salford on Sunday 15 December, as the 36-year-old looks to become the first golfer in 36 years to lift one of Britain's most prestigious sporting awards. 

McIlroy has enjoyed the season of all seasons.

The Northern Irishman made history in April when completing the career grand slam at Augusta National — joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as only the sixth man in the modern era to achieve the feat, and the first Brit to do so.

McIlroy has been relentless in 2025 with three PGA Tour wins - AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am, The Players Championship, and The Masters. 

The five-time major champion also captured a second home Irish Open victory at The K Club - producing one of the greatest ever moments in DP World Tour history on the 18th green.

McIlroy then helped Luke Donald's Europe win the Ryder Cup in an incredibly hostile atmosphere at Bethpage Black in New York.

As the season draws to a close at the DP World Tour Playoffs this month, the World No.2 is now closing in on a seventh Race to Dubai title, one shy of Colin Montgomerie’s record.

So yes — if ever there was a year for McIlroy to finally claim BBC SPOTY, this is it...

"If I don’t win this time, I never will" 

Speaking to the Telegraph ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links, McIlroy confirmed he plans to attend BBC SPOTY in Salford — a short drive from his beloved Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

"Yeah, the plan is to go," he told the Telegraph.

"I have more chance of winning if I’m actually there, and I recognise that with the audience the show attracts it could only be a good thing for the game."

McIlroy then said with a wry smile: "I suppose if I don’t win it this time, I never will."

It’s a subtle but significant shift in approach because in previous years McIlroy skipped the event — even turning down BBC interviews — but this time, he’s clearly all in.

Breaking the BBC barrier

Golf has rarely enjoyed SPOTY glory. 

Only two golfers have ever won the award: Dai Rees in 1957 and Sir Nick Faldo in 1989.

Rees captained the Great Britain Ryder Cup team to a historic victory over the United States in '57, marking the first time the team had beaten the United States since 1933, while Faldo captured his first Green Jacket in '89. 

That’s two winners in 71 years — less than 3% of all SPOTY victors.

McIlroy finished second to Lewis Hamilton in 2014, the year he won two (!) majors, and he was again nominated in 2023 after topping the Race to Dubai and leading Europe to Ryder Cup victory at Marco Simone in Rome. 

He didn’t attend either time — and his absence said everything about golf’s uphill battle for mainstream recognition.

In 2023, his Ryder Cup teammate and good pal Tommy Fleetwood rather awkwardly stepped in when McIlroy's name appeared on the screen to vote, see below. 

This year, though, it’s different. 

Rory’s going, and he’s doing it on his own terms.

McIlroy's competition

The betting market paints an interesting picture for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

McIlroy is currently 7/4 second favourite, trailing England Women's forward Chloe Kelly (11/10), whose penalty heroics inspired the Lionesses to Euro 2025 success. 

Lando Norris (11/2) then rounds out the top three, thanks to his F1 title push with McLaren.

Kelly’s composure under pressure - "what pressure?!"- has captured the public imagination, while Norris' first championship charge has made him a social-media favourite. 

But neither can claim the kind of year McIlroy’s had — one that’s not only historic, but global.

Completing the career grand slam is the golf equivalent of conquering Everest. 

Doing it while winning multiple events and leading Europe to Ryder Cup glory? 

That’s something even the BBC shouldn’t be able to ignore this December... 

Why Rory’s attendance matters

In SPOTY terms, being in the room counts. 

McIlroy’s decision to attend is as strategic as it is symbolic — a nod to the importance of presence and public connection.

For golf, it’s even bigger. 

The Ulsterman's attendance puts the sport back in the national spotlight, reminding the public that Britain still leads the way in one of the world’s most prestigious games.

If McIlroy takes the stage — whether to lift the trophy or graciously applaud another winner — he’ll do so as the face of modern British golf.

Verdict: Time for golf to get its due

Rory McIlroy’s 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary: a grand slam champion, a Ryder Cup hero, and a winner on both tours again. 

This isn’t about personality anymore — it’s about performance, perseverance and proof.

As McIlroy said: “If I don’t win it this time, I never will.” He’s so right, too. 

For golf fans across the UK, and for everyone who’s watched Rory’s relentless pursuit of greatness, this feels like his moment. 

And if the BBC audience truly values sporting excellence, they’ll agree. Rory’s already Sports Personality of the Year in everything but name. Now it’s up to Britain to make it official.