Betting odds revealed for Ellie Kildunne to win Sports Personality of the Year Award

Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 14:57

byTom Sansom

England’s Rugby World Cup hero Ellie Kildunne has been priced as the 66/1 outsider for BBC Sports Personality of the Year – despite becoming the first female rugby player ever shortlisted for the award. Kildunne joins a decorated list of sporting alumni after delivering a calendar year of outstanding one influential individual efforts for the Red Roses and Harlequins Women.

Betfair released its latest odds on Thursday morning, confirming that Rory McIlroy leads the market at 8/13, with F1 world champion Lando Norris (7/2) and Lionesses star Chloe Kelly (10/3) completing the top three. Yet the story from a rugby perspective is the surprisingly long price handed to Kildunne, who was a defining star of England’s dominant 2025.

Kildunne, crowned World Rugby Player of the Year, lit up the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil with tries in the opener, the semi-final and a stunning solo score in the final as England beat Canada in front of 81,885 fans at Allianz Stadium. Off the field she became a cultural figure, inspiring a cowboy-hat-clad fan movement and even being honoured with her own Barbie role-model doll.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom acknowledged her impact, saying: “In a hugely successful year for England’s women’s team, Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne is 66/1 for the award.”

Despite being the longshot, Kildunne’s nomination is a watershed moment for the women’s game – and arguably undervalues a player who has transcended her sport in 2025.