Mark your calendars, guys and gals: the winners of the 2025 Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid are set to be unveiled on April 21, and I, for one, can’t wait to see who walks away with top honours.
It’s been 25 years since the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards took centre stage in Monaco back in 2000, and this milestone anniversary promises an extraordinary celebration of a truly global sporting movement—one that spans iconic award ceremonies and the life-changing work of Laureus Sport for Good in more than 40 countries.
For those who tuned in last year, you’ll remember Madrid’s spectacular turn in the global spotlight, when the city played host to the Awards and watched legends like Simone Biles, Jude Bellingham, and Novak Djokovic claim their coveted Laureus statuettes.
Madrid’s a place where sport crackles with energy: five La Liga clubs call the city home, the tennis world flocks to the Madrid Open, the Vuelta a España concludes its dramatic final stages here, and this year Madrid will make history with Spain’s first regular-season NFL game.
Adding to the excitement, a brand-new Formula One Gran Premio d’España is scheduled for 2026 on a dazzling street circuit that’s already getting motorsport fans buzzing.
This year’s show, marking 25 years of Laureus, will look back on the greats of the past, celebrate today’s heroes, and shine a light on the future of sport.
Expect to see a star-studded guest list that blends the biggest names on the field with their celebrity superfans in that inimitable Laureus mix.
Of course, the centrepiece is always ‘The Laureus’ trophy itself—voted on by the 69 sporting icons of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
It’s the prize every athlete dreams of holding aloft, and some of the fiercest competition in sports will unfold as these legends decide who gets to take one home.
Beyond the main event, Laureus will also spotlight the legacy of last year’s Awards, uniting with the Community and City of Madrid to invest in youth programs that promote health, education, and social change.
All of this builds on the wave of unforgettable 2024 sporting moments—from the NBA’s breathtaking season finales and F1’s ever-thrilling races to the mighty Tour de France.
Of course, there was nothing quite like the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, which delivered jaw-dropping performances on the track, in the pool, and beyond, giving us champions we won’t soon forget.
At the ceremony, one of the most stirring honours is the Laureus Sport for Good Award, which salutes those transforming lives through the power of sport.
Nominees, including the Sport for Good contenders, will be unveiled in March. One person who can’t hide his pride in the Awards returning to Madrid is legendary Real Madrid skipper—and Laureus World Sports Academy Member—Raúl González Blanco.
He captained the iconic club for seven years and says he’s thrilled for Laureus to celebrate both a fantastic year of sport and 25 years of the Laureus Sport for Good mission.
The momentum is also felt by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, who sees this as yet another highlight for a region swiftly becoming the place to be for major global events. Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, meanwhile, welcomes the Awards back to the Palacio de Cibeles, calling it a testament to Madrid’s knack for hosting world-class gatherings with flair.
Born from the inspiring words of Nelson Mandela at the very first Laureus World Sports Awards, Laureus Sport for Good continues to grow, helping hundreds of sports-based projects reach children and young people in over 40 nations.
If you can’t make it to the ceremony in person, keep an eye on the global broadcasts and Laureus social media streams—there’ll be plenty of stories and interviews to keep you thoroughly entertained.
And if history’s any guide, the 2025 Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid will be an unforgettable spectacle that unites champions, communities, and fans in a glorious celebration of sport’s power to change the world.