The stage is set for one of the most prestigious prizes in sports literature. The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2025 has unveiled its 15-strong longlist, once again showcasing the global breadth and depth of sports writing.
First awarded in 1989, the competition has become the longest established and most valuable prize in its category. Over the years, it has recognised titles that go beyond the pitch or the ring, shining a light on the cultural, political, and human stories sport creates. Past winners include Duncan Hamilton, Michael Holding, Jeremy Wilson, Lauren Fleshman, and last year’s victor Conor Niland, whose memoir The Racket became the first tennis book to secure the award.
From football shirts to boxing rings: topics shaping the longlist 
This year’s longlist reflects the diversity of sports literature. The 15 titles span football, cricket, athletics, boxing, cycling, and broader cultural narratives, each capturing the drama and influence of sport in unique ways.
The selected works include:
- Finding the Edge by Jimmy Anderson
- Ultra Women by Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson
- I Can’t Stop Thinking About VAR by Daisy Christodoulou
- The Warrior by Christopher Clarey
- States of Play by Miguel Delaney
- More Than a Shirt by Joey D’Urso
- European Football’s Greatest Grounds by Leon Gladwell
- Chasing Salah by Simon Hughes
- The Last Bell by Donald McRae
- Engulfed by James Montague
- Go to War by Jon Spurling
- The Escape by Pippa York and David Walsh
- Test Cricket by Tim Wigmore
- The Power and The Glory by Jonathan Wilson
- The Art of Batting by Jarrod Kimber
Donald McRae, already a two-time winner, will be looking to equal Duncan Hamilton’s record of three victories.
Judges face a competitive task ahead
The 2025 judging panel is chaired by Alyson Rudd, joined by Clarke Carlisle, Elis James, Gabby Logan, Mark Lawson, Dame Heather Rabbatts and Michelle Wilder. They now face the task of narrowing the longlist down to a final shortlist, due on 30 October, ahead of the official awards ceremony on 25 November.
Neil Foggin, Media Manager at William Hill and part of the reading panel, commented: “We’re delighted to unveil this year’s longlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. The breadth of topics covered has yet again surprised and inspired us – from the intricacies of cricket and football to the cultural and human stories that sport continues to generate across the globe.”
He added: “Narrowing down the entries was no easy task for our reading panel, but what we have is a collection of books that truly capture the drama, spirit and influence of sport in all its forms.”
Prize and recognition
The winning author will receive the William Hill Sports Book of the Year trophy and £30,000 in prize money. Each of the shortlisted authors will be awarded a leather-bound copy of their book and £3,000 in cash.
For writers, making the longlist alone represents significant recognition. As Foggin noted, it is “a huge achievement to be longlisted for such a competitive award.”
