BBC Sports Personality 2016: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, odds, shortlist and where can I watch it?
Everything you need to know about BBC SPOTY 2016
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards takes place on Sunday night to celebrate another 12 months of sporting excellence, with the likes of Leicester City, the Danny Willett and Team GB and ParalympicGB set to be praised for their success this year.
The feature of the night sees the crowning of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, with an extended 16-person shortlist making this year’s award the most competitive ever.
The Olympics are set to feature heavily, given that the last time a non-Olympian won the top honour in an Olympiad year was 1996 when Damon Hill won the Formula One world championship.
In fact, 10 of the 16-athlete shortlist competed at this year’s Olympics in August, with a further three participating in the Rio Paralympic Games a month later as Britain enjoyed its most successful overseas Games.
The three non-Olympic athletes hail from the worlds of football and golf, while the likes of rugby union, motorsport and boxing all miss out on any representation on the list with Maro Itoje, Lewis Hamilton, Anthony Joshua, Carl Frampton and Chris Froome high-profile omissions.
Here’s everything you need to know about the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.
What time does it start?
The 2016 instalment of BBC Sports Personality of the Year begins at 18:30 GMT, and is due to run until 21:00. However, history suggests that it will overrun by quite some time, so a result is expected closer to 21:30.
Where can I watch it?
The event will be shown live in its entirety on BBC One and BBC One HD.
Where is it?
After taking place in Glasgow and Belfast over the last two years, the awards ceremony returns to England and will be held in the Genting Arena in Birmingham. Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Clare Balding will present the ceremony.
Who’s favourite to win?
With a second Olympic gold medal in the bag and victory at Wimbledon added to by the seizing the world No 1 ranking, Andy Murray is the red-hot favourite to retain his crown and win the award for the third time in four years. He meets the Olympic theory, having won gold in Rio by successfully defending his 2012 title, and the only man to beat him in recent years in Lewis Hamilton failed to make the shortlist after missing out on the F1 world championship.
Who’s on the shortlist and what are their odds?
Andy Murray – 1/7
Alistair Brownlee – 8/1
Nick Skelton – 28/1
Laura Kenny – 40/1
Mo Farah – 50/1
Gareth Bale – 80/1
Jamie Vardy – 80/1
Jason Kenny – 150/1
Max Whitlock – 150/1
Adam Peaty – 400/1
Dame Sarah Storey – 400/1
Kate Richardson-Walsh – 400/1
Sophie Christiansen – 400/1
Danny Willett – 400/1
Kadeena Cox – 500/1
(Odds provided by Sky Bet)
What other awards are there?
Team of the Year – Leicester City are the favourites following their amazing Premier League triumph, although Team GB will also be in the mix along with the New Zealand rugby union team.
Overseas Sports Personality of the Year – Usain Bolt will take some beating after completing the triple-triple in Rio, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Phelps also in the mix.
Young Sports Personality of the Year – Swimmer Ellie Robinson has already been crowned the 2016 winner.
Lifetime Achievement Award – American swimmer and record-breaking Olympian Michael Phelps will receive this year’s gong.
Helen Rollason Award – Bailey Matthews won last year’s award after the eight-year-old, who suffers from cerebral palsy, completed a triathlon unaided.
Sport's Unsung Hero Award – Last year, the award went to youth football coach Damien Lindsay for his work with St James Swifts FC in Belfast.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments