Next Sporting Knighthood Odds: McIlroy And Sinfield Lead The Way
While most are making their wish lists for Santa Claus at this time of year, King Charles is busy honing his New Year Honours lists ahead of recognising stars for outstanding service.
Sir David Beckham was knighted in a ceremony at Windsor Castle in November after being among the most high-profile names in the King's Birthday Honours list, and several stars are in contention on betting sites for the next sporting knighthood.
It's been another top year for British sport, with Europe retaining the Ryder Cup, Lando Norris winning his first Formula One drivers' championship and Joe Root finally making a century in Australia in the latest Ashes series.
Despite those achievements, it is a star who is no longer playing that is the favourite on entertainment betting sites to receive the next sporting knighthood.
Sinfield To Receive Royal Approval?
Retired rugby league star Kevin Sinfield has raised more than £11million for motor neurone disease (MND) charities, after his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the disease.
Burrow tragically died from complications of MND in June 2024, aged 41, but Sinfield has continued raising money for aid organisations.
Just this month, the superhuman star raised £1.3m for MND after completing his seventh ultramarathon in seven days as part of his 7 in 7: Together challenge, which saw him run around 185 miles in a week.
He even received a royal seal of approval for his latest effort, as Prince William sent him both private and public messages of support.
Kevin told SunSport: "I got a really nice message sent through, and then clearly I saw the ones that went out public.
"I got a personal text message as well, which was lovely, and it means a lot to see people believing in us and getting behind us again.
"It’s a really good thing - but I’m back in work this afternoon. For all of us, that’s the reality of it."
Next Sporting Knighthood Odds:
Celebrity | Odds | Probability |
Kevin Sinfield | 4/7 | 63.6% |
Luke Donald | 8/11 | 57.9% |
Rory McIlroy | 4/5 | 55.6% |
Marcus Rashford | Evens | 50% |
Lando Norris | 6/4 | 40% |
Bobby Moore | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Jonathan Davies | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Ronnie O'Sullivan | 3/1 | 25% |
Joe Root | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Jake Wightman | 4/1 | 20% |
Luke Littler | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Ben Stokes | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Anthony Joshua | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Luke Humphries | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Gary Neville | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Jack Draper | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Sol Campbell | 20/1 | 4.8% |
It's thought Sinfield should be closer than ever to receiving a knighthood, and he's just 4/7 to be the next sporting star to be honoured with such a prestigious prize.
There is, however, a protocol stumbling block, as honours are usually not allowed to be upgraded for three years after they are conferred.
With Sinfield having received a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours list, it's thought he might have to wait longer for his knighthood.
However, politicians, celebrities - including Piers Morgan - and even Rob's father, Geoff Burrow, have called for such protocols to be abolished to enable Sinfield to be appointed Sir Kevin in the coming months.
Sir Luke
Another sporting star who is reportedly nearing a knighthood is Luke Donald.
He led Europe to a famous Ryder Cup victory in the US earlier this year, meaning he is now one of just two Ryder Cup captains who have skippered Europe to both home and away victories.
Previously awarded an MBE for services to golf by the late Queen Elizabeth, it is just 8/11 on some betting apps that the late monarch's son, King Charles, hands Luke a knighthood.
Another golfer who has had a fantastic 2025 is Rory McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman completed a career grand slam by winning this year's Masters and in November he won the season-long Race to Dubai (DP World Tour's Order of Merit) for a seventh time.
Rory is 4/5 to be awarded a knighthood, just in front of another 2025 victor - Lando Norris.
In December, Norris won his first-ever F1 drivers' championship after securing a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He said afterwards: "I've not cried in a while and I didn't think I would cry, but I did.
"I've enjoyed it, and it has been a long year, but we did it, and I'm so proud of everyone."
Norris' victory means he is the first new Briton to win the world title since Jenson Button in 2009, and he's now 6/4 to receive the next sporting knighthood.
Moore Is Deserving
There have also been calls for England's late, great World Cup-winning football captain Bobby Moore to be given a posthumous knighthood.
Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the final to inspire England to their only World Cup win, has led pleas for Moore to be recognised.
Hurst recently told the Daily Mail: "If any of the two of us deserved a knighthood, it would be the captain of the team.
"Yes, I scored the goals, but I would argue that the captain of the great sides is always the significant figure.
"And forget about the football for one second, you could argue he should get two knighthoods, one for football and for his phenomenal charity efforts.
"I can't think of anybody more deserving of a knighthood in football. I can't pick anybody more deserving of recognition than Mooro."
It's a huge surprise that the late defender doesn't already have a posthumous knighthood, but he's just 7/4 to be handed one next.
Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan (3/1) could also be in contention following his exploits in the sport.
The seven-time world champion was awarded an OBE in 2016, and earlier this year World Snooker Tour boss Barry Hearn called for The Rocket to be renamed Sir Ronnie for his services to snooker.
Elsewhere, England cricketer Root is now 7/2 for a knighthood after scoring his first-ever century Down Under earlier this month, while darts star Luke Littler is a 6/1 shot.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Which sports stars do you think deserve to make the New Year Honours list? Let us know in the comments below!
