Key Highlights
- Voting for Team of the Year is now open until December 18, 2025.
- The nominees are England’s Lionesses, Red Roses, and Team Europe in the Ryder Cup.
- Each team has a compelling story to tell with recent victories and records set.
- Voting will take place during the live show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The Nominees: England’s Lionesses, Red Roses, and Team Europe
The 2025 Sports Personality of the Year team nominees have been announced, with three powerhouse teams vying for the prestigious title. The England women’s football team (Lionesses), the England women’s rugby union team (Red Roses), and the European Ryder Cup team are all set to compete in this year’s Team of the Year category.
The Lionesses: A Never-Say-Die Attitude
England’s Lionesses have cemented their status as one of the most formidable teams on the international stage. In July 2025, they secured a dramatic victory over Spain in the Euro 2025 final after winning through a penalty shootout. This triumph made them the first senior England football team to win a major trophy outside the country’s borders.
Their journey was marked by challenges, conceding goals early in their knockout matches and enduring grueling extra-time sessions. However, Sarina Wiegman’s tactical brilliance and the unwavering spirit of her squad brought them back from adversity.
The Lionesses’ victory was not just a flash in the pan; they have demonstrated resilience throughout their Euro 2025 campaign, making it a memorable year for English football. Their achievements have sparked a renewed interest in women’s football and set a high bar for future generations of players to follow.
The Red Roses: A Historic World Cup Victory
England’s women’s rugby team (Red Roses) made history this September, clinching the Women’s Rugby World Cup with an unprecedented 81,885 fans watching their thrilling victory over Canada. This world record crowd underscored the growing popularity of women’s rugby in England and globally. The Red Roses broke their own world record for the longest unbeaten run by a national team, extending it to 33 matches without defeat.
Their last loss was back in 2022 at the World Cup final.
They secured this historic victory with an emphatic score of 33-13 against Canada. The triumph came after securing their fourth consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam and seventh overall title, a feat that highlights the sustained excellence of the Red Roses team over several years. Their success not only brought joy to fans but also promised significant changes in the lives of those involved.
Team Europe: A Back-to-Back Ryder Cup Triumph
The European Ryder Cup team achieved yet another milestone this September, claiming a 15-13 victory over the United States on their home soil. This triumph made it back-to-back wins for Europe, marking only the fifth time in history they had achieved such an feat. The team, led by Luke Donald, dominated with a record seven-point lead after two days of competition, showcasing their dominance in both foursomes and fourballs formats.
Despite the United States’ remarkable comeback on the final day, Europe’s nerve held firm, securing another victory.
Europe’s triumph not only added to their impressive streak but also solidified Luke Donald’s status as one of the best captains in Ryder Cup history. The team’s success has renewed hopes and aspirations for European golf, with many seeing this win as a significant step forward in their competition with the United States.
Panelists and Voting Process
The shortlist was carefully curated by an esteemed panel of sports experts who have collectively shaped the landscape of British sports. The panel includes:
- Maggie Alphonsi, 2014 Rugby World Cup winner
- Anita Asante, former England footballer
- Libby Clegg, double Paralympic gold medal-winning sprinter
- Carl Frampton, former world champion boxer
- Ebony Rainford-Brent, 2009 World Cup-winning cricketer
- Marc Vesty, executive producer for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show
- Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of Sport at the BBC
- Philip Bernie, head of content for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show
- Riath Al-Samarrai, chief sports feature writer for The Daily Mail
- Molly Hudson, sports reporter for The Times
- Kelly Cates, co-host of Match of the Day and sports broadcaster
- Josh Denzel, media personality and sports presenter
Voting is now open until December 18, 2025. Fans can cast their votes during a live show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The winner will be announced as part of the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.
Sign In to Vote
The process of voting is straightforward and accessible for all sports enthusiasts. Simply sign in or register, and you can cast your vote for the team that best represents this year’s outstanding achievements in sport. Whether it’s the Lionesses’ never-say-die attitude, the Red Roses’ historic victory, or Team Europe’s back-to-back triumphs, one of these teams is destined to claim the title.
Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this exciting moment in British sports history. Sign in now and vote for your favorite team!
