Madrid, Spain – The prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards unfolded Monday evening in Madrid, bestowing honours upon a constellation of global athletic talent. Among the night's prominent recipients were Rory McIlroy, recognized with the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award, and Lando Norris, who secured the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. The ceremony also saw Carlos Alcaraz crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, and Aryna Sabalenka named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.
The 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony, held in Madrid, celebrated significant athletic achievements from the preceding year. Rory McIlroy's award acknowledged his triumphant return, while Lando Norris's breakthrough recognized his ascendance in Formula 1. Tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were awarded the top individual honours for their performances.
The event highlighted a spectrum of sporting excellence across various disciplines. Paris Saint-Germain claimed the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, reflecting their dominant season. Gabriel Araújo was honoured with the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award, and Chloe Kim took home the Action Sportsperson of the Year award. The Laureus World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award was presented to Lamine Yamal, signifying emerging talent.
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Toni Kroos received the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award, while the esteemed Nadia Comăneci was recognized with the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. The Fútbol Más organisation was presented with the Laureus Sport for Good Award, underscoring the impact of sport beyond competition.
Nominees and Context
The awards saw numerous notable athletes and teams in contention. The shortlist for Sportsman of the Year included individuals such as Mondo Duplantis and Jannik Sinner, while the Sportswoman of the Year category featured athletes like Katie Ledecky and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The Team of the Year nominations showcased diverse sporting powerhouses, including the England Women's Football Team, India Women's Cricket Team, and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team.
Breakthrough nominees like Luke Littler, the young darts sensation, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA MVP, also drew attention. The Comeback of the Year category, besides McIlroy, included athletes such as Yulimar Rojas and Egan Bernal, illustrating resilience in the face of adversity. The Action Sportsperson of the Year nominees, including Tom Pidcock and Rayssa Leal, represented the dynamic nature of sports like cycling and skateboarding.
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The Laureus World Sports Awards, often referred to as the "Athletes' Awards," typically recognize achievements from the previous calendar year. For instance, the 2026 awards would primarily consider performances throughout 2025. Past recipients for Sportsman of the Year have included tennis legends like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, and Lionel Messi, notably recognized for his team sport achievements. The ceremony's focus on tennis was also evident, with past awards often highlighting significant performances in the sport.
