Submissions are now open for the inaugural Sports Podcast of the Year award at the prestigious Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards, with Sport Social Podcast Network announced as the official partner and sponsor of the category.
The new award celebrates the very best in sports podcasting. From insightful analysis and investigative interviews to entertaining, personality-led shows that connect deeply with fans. As podcasting continues to play a central role in modern sports media, the category recognises creators who are shaping conversation through compelling storytelling, creativity and high-quality production.
The Sports Podcast of the Year category sits alongside the newly introduced Sports Audiobook of the Year, reflecting the expanding ways audiences engage with sports stories across audio formats.
Now into their 24th year, the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards are widely recognised as the leading international celebration of sports writing, championing the best books, authors and storytelling in sport each year. The awards bring together athletes, writers, publishers, and media to celebrate the narratives that define the sporting world.
As Europe’s leading sport podcast network, Sport Social’s partnership highlights its commitment to championing the growth of sports podcasting and supporting the creators behind it.
Sophie Hind, Managing Director of Sport Social said:
“Podcasts have become one of the most powerful storytelling formats in sport. They offer depth, personality and immediacy that resonate with fans, and sit perfectly alongside the long-form narratives celebrated by the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards. We’re proud to support this new category and help recognise the outstanding work being produced across the sports podcast landscape.”
Podcasts based in the UK and released during 2025 are eligible to enter. Judges will evaluate submissions across four key criteria: creativity, production, storytelling and audience engagement. Judges will also take into account the resources available to creators, recognising that independent podcasts can deliver powerful storytelling alongside larger productions.
Entries will be reviewed by an expert judging panel, featuring leading names from across the sports and broadcasting industries, including Sky Sports Presenter, David Fulton, Talksport Host, Georgie Heath, Sarah-Jane Mee, Lead Presenter on Sky News, Jo Tongue, founder of the highly regarded sports management group Tongue Tied Management, alongside her clients ITV's Lead Football Commentator, Sam Matterface and BBC Golf Presenter, Eilidh Barbour, Trevor Watkins, Global Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment and former Chairman of AFC Bournemouth and Sport Social’s Director of Sport Jim Salveson.
The ceremony itself will be hosted by Mark Pougatch and will take place at The Kia Oval on the evening of 21 May.
Key Dates
Submissions close: 31 March
Shortlist announced: 23 April
Awards ceremony: 21 May
Entrants are required to submit a short written statement explaining the podcast’s impact, along with a representative episode and supporting materials that showcase its story and audience engagement.
The winning podcast will be announced at the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards ceremony in May, celebrating excellence in sports storytelling across publishing, audio and beyond.
Enter here: https://sportsbookawards.com/sports-podcast-of-the-year-submissions/