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The BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year is held on the Wednesday before Christmas to avoid a World Cup final clash – and an English hero in Qatar could take the top prize
- The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 will be crowned on December 21st
- The award, in its 69th year, was placed three days after the World Cup final
- Sports post understands that Gareth Southgate’s side can still win the award
- The Lionesses will be one of the main contenders after winning Euro 2022
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England’s World Cup heroes still have a shot at winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year gong in 2022, despite the ceremony being held just three days after the World Cup final.
It remains unknown at this stage when the award shortlist will be revealed, but Sports post understands that given the size of the World Cup, players in Qatar, including those from Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions, will be in the fray.
The ceremony to crown BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 will take place on Wednesday, December 21 at Media City in Salford, three days after the World Cup final in Qatar.
Last year, the BBC chose to postpone their final SPOTY shortlist until the Formula 1 season was decided.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen saw the title decided on the final lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi in one of the most exciting F1 seasons in recent history, with Verstappen beating his British rival.
SPOTY takes into account the biggest sporting moments in a calendar year and the Lionesses of England will lead the way for the top prize after beating Germany at Wembley to win Euro 2022.
But this winter, many eyes will be on the men’s team as they look for their first major trophy since winning the World Cup in 1966.
Should England put their battle for the tournament behind them and go all the way to the final, many of Southgate’s team will be…
Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will host the show, now in its 69th year.
Categories for 2022 include; BBC Sports Personality of the Year, World Sport Star of the Year, Helen Rollason award, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Unsung Hero, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement award.
There was also a record number of medals for Home Nations at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Elsewhere, the women’s curling team won gold at the Winter Olympics, snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed his seventh World Snooker Championship, Manchester City managed to win a thrilling Premier League title chase, with Liverpool winning both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup as part of their unprecedented quadruple offer.
The Rugby League World Cup, the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the end of the F1 season also promise big sporting moments between now and the ceremony at Salford Quays.
“The BBC is home to major sporting events and has brought key moments of a great year to audiences across the UK,” said Sports Director Barbara Slater.
“We will be really spoiled for choice for contenders and can’t wait to celebrate the achievements of the year in December.”
More to follow.