Discover where to watch the BBC Football Awards 2026, the categories covered across UK leagues and the pundits and journalists who cast votes for the winners.
The football season across the United Kingdom produced drama and memorable moments, and the BBC Football Awards 2026 are the occasion chosen to recognise the standout contributors. The ceremony will reveal winners across multiple leagues and categories, with judging carried out by a blend of BBC pundits, commentators and journalists.
Whether you follow the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership or the tiers of the English Football League, the awards aim to reflect performances from a full season of competition.
Winners will be announced on Thursday, 28 May, with the reveal starting at 18:00 BST.
The event stream and live text updates are made available by BBC Sport, and recorded coverage will be accessible afterwards via the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and YouTube. A dedicated panel of BBC presenters and journalists will discuss each result as it is revealed, placing decisions into context for viewers and readers.
How to watch and follow the awards
The BBC is organising live coverage designed for multiple platforms. Live text updates begin at 18:00 BST, providing minute-by-minute confirmation of winners and commentary. Alongside the text feed, a video stream will be broadcast on the BBC Sport website and app, enabling viewers to watch the ceremony in real time. If you miss the live stream, recordings will be available to watch back on the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and the BBC’s official YouTube channel.
Live commentary and post-match style analysis
As results are announced, a panel of BBC Sport hosts and reporters will unpack the selections. The format pairs the live reveals with analysis from experts to explain why a player, manager or team earned recognition. This conversational format is intended to give immediate reaction and to provide insights into the reasoning behind each award.
What categories will be decided
The awards span top-flight men’s football, the women’s game and the main divisions of the English Football League. The BBC’s judging team has produced winners for a broad set of categories designed to reflect individual excellence, managerial achievement and moments of exceptional quality. For the Premier League, categories include Player of the Season, Manager of the Season, Goalkeeper of the Season and Goal of the Season, as well as Signing of the Season and Breakthrough Player of the Season.
Other Premier League recognitions include the First XI of the season (set up in a 4-3-3 formation) and lighter categories such as Worst Prediction of the Season and Most Predictable Manager Sacking, which reflect editorial perspective as well as performance. The awards also identify the Biggest Surprise of the Season, offering a nod to teams or individuals who overachieved relative to expectations.
Leagues beyond the Premier League
In the Scottish Premiership, the BBC will hand out Player of the Season, Breakthrough Player of the Season, Manager of the Season, Goal of the Season and Team of the Season. The Championship also receives recognitions for Player of the Season, Manager of the Season and Team of the Season. Equivalent team and individual awards are prepared for the Women’s Super League, League One and League Two, ensuring that the higher-profile and lower-tier competitions are represented.
Who decided the winners
A broad mix of BBC Sport contributors cast votes across the categories. The judging panel includes well-known pundits and former players such as Chris Sutton, Danny Murphy, Dion Dublin and Glenn Murray, alongside analysts and commentators including Pat Nevin, Nedum Onuoha and Shay Given. Contributors from the women’s game and other areas of football coverage such as Fara Williams, Rachel Corsie, Theo Walcott, Steph Houghton and Ellen White also participated in voting.
The voting cohort blends editorial teams, programme makers and specialist pundits, aiming to balance different perspectives on performance. This collective approach attempts to recognise excellence whether displayed in title-winning environments or within squads that faced tougher seasons yet showcased individual brilliance.
What to expect during the broadcast
The event’s flow alternates award announcements with short analytical segments. Presenters will contextualise each winner, often comparing nominees’ statistics and influence on team outcomes. The format mirrors post-match shows: concise verdicts followed by debate, allowing viewers to understand both the choice and the wider narratives of the season.
For supporters and observers, the BBC Football Awards provide a consolidated look back at the season: a chance to celebrate exceptional campaigns, spotlight breakthrough talents and acknowledge the defining moments that shaped league outcomes. Tune in on 28 May at 18:00 BST to see the full list of winners as they are announced live across BBC platforms.
