Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year
The Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year is one of the most prestigious honors in global athletics. Often described as the sporting equivalent of the "Oscars," this annual award recognizes the individual male athlete who has best demonstrated supreme athletic performance and achievement over the preceding year.
Established in 2000, the award is presented by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a global organization dedicated to using the power of sport to support youth. To date, the foundation has been involved in over 150 charity projects, impacting approximately 500,000 young people worldwide.
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Key Facts
- Current Winner: Carlos Alcaraz (2026)
- Most Wins: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (5 awards each)
- Most Nominations: Tiger Woods and Lionel Messi (8 nominations each)
- Dominant Sport: Tennis (13 total wins)
- Inaugural Winner: Tiger Woods (2000)
- Awarding Body: Laureus World Sports Academy
Selection Process and Ceremony
The journey to the podium begins with a rigorous selection process. Since 2020, a panel consisting of the world's leading sports broadcasters, writers, and editors creates a shortlist of six nominees. From this list, the Laureus World Sports Academy selects the final winner.
The winner is presented with a distinctive Laureus statuette, crafted by the luxury jeweler Cartier. The awards ceremony is a global event, held in various cities around the world; for instance, the 2026 ceremony took place in Madrid.
Historical Highlights and Records
The award's history is marked by the dominance of a few legendary figures. The first ceremony was held on May 25, 2000, in Monte Carlo, featuring a keynote speech by Nelson Mandela. The first recipient was American golfer Tiger Woods, who earned the honor following a historic 1999 season with eight wins, including the PGA Championship.
Tennis has proven to be the most successful sport in the category, claiming 13 wins. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic share the record for the most wins with five titles each. In contrast, athletes like Michael Phelps, Valentino Rossi, and Cristiano Ronaldo hold the record for the most nominations without a win, each receiving five nominations.
The award also maintains a strict standard of integrity. For example, American cyclist Lance Armstrong, who won in 2003, had all his awards and nominations rescinded following his 2013 admission of doping. Similarly, in 2026, the nomination of Jannik Sinner was cancelled by the Academy due to a doping case.
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Award Statistics
The following table summarizes the distribution of wins and nominations across different sports and nationalities.
| Category | Top Performers / Groups | Wins | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Wins (Individual) | Roger Federer / Novak Djokovic | 5 | - |
| Most Nominations (Individual) | Tiger Woods / Lionel Messi | - | 8 |
| Top Sport | Tennis | 13 | 25 |
| Top Nationality (Wins) | Switzerland / Serbia | 5 | - |
| Top Nationality (Noms) | USA | 2 | 29 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current holder of the award?
The 2026 winner of the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year is the Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz.
Which athletes have won the most awards?
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic hold the record for the most wins, with five awards each.
Which sport has the most wins in this category?
Tennis is the most successful sport, with a total of 13 wins.
How is the winner selected?
A panel of leading sports editors, writers, and broadcasters creates a shortlist of six nominees, from which the Laureus World Sports Academy selects the winner.
Who was the first person to win the award?
The inaugural winner in 2000 was American golfer Tiger Woods.