Published on: December 18, 2025, 05:02h.
Updated on: December 18, 2025, 05:02h.
Sports Illustrated (SI) is set to host its annual “Sportsperson of the Year” awards in Las Vegas on January 6, 2026. This event will return to the Wynn, where SI first established its presence in Las Vegas back in 2023. Regrettably, this will be a private affair without public ticket availability.
A Step Forward
Since 1954, SI has recognized a “Sportsperson of the Year,” highlighting an athlete or team that embodies the ideals of excellence and sportsmanship, as stated in the magazine’s release.
The award was exclusively in print from 1954 to 1986, featuring a glossy cover alongside a detailed profile. In 1987, SI hosted its inaugural public banquet in New York City, which alternated between New York and Los Angeles in the ensuing years.
Las Vegas became the new backdrop in 2023 when Coach Deion Sanders received the award at the Wynn. The ceremony returned to LA in 2024, honoring MLB sensation Shohei Ohtani. Now, SI is reaffirming its commitment to Las Vegas, making it a recurring venue for this flagship event.
“Through the years, SI’s ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ has transformed from a feature in a magazine into a rich celebration of the year’s finest in sports,” remarked SI editor-in-chief Steve Cannella. “We are thrilled to expand this event in Las Vegas and eagerly anticipate what’s to come.”
Who Will Be Recognized?
Alongside the main accolade, SI will also present various honors announced prior to the event. This year’s recognitions include:
- Muhammad Ali Legacy Award: Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian to date, will be honored for his unwavering commitment to raising awareness of mental health issues throughout the past decade. Phelps previously received the “Sportsperson of the Year” honor in 2008 after winning eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.
- Breakout Star of the Year: Seattle Mariners’ slugger Cal Raleigh, a first-time All-Star in 2025, will be recognized for his remarkable achievement in smashing 60 home runs during the regular season, along with five more in the postseason.
- Innovators of the Year: WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are being celebrated for launching Unrivaled, a pioneering 3×3 women’s basketball league in 2025. “This year signifies significant progress that will influence countless generations of basketball players and fans, and I’m honored that Sports Illustrated is recognizing our initiative,” expressed Stewart.
Notable past recipients of the “Sportsperson of the Year” title include icons such as Muhammad Ali, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Simone Biles, Stephen Curry, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Derek Jeter, and Megan Rapinoe.
Attendance at the 2026 awards ceremony will be restricted to honorees, their guests, SI personnel, sponsors, and certain media representatives.