Laureus World Sports Awards 2026: Duplantis, Alcaraz, McLaughlin-Levrone, Ledecky lead nominations

Olympic champions Armand Mondo Duplantis, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Katie Ledecky are in contention for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, being held at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, on 20 April.

The three stars were shortlisted alongside the other nominees across eight categories by a panel of sports journalists and broadcasters on Tuesday (3 March).

The winners will be selected by members of the Laureus Academy.

Pole vault world record holder Duplantis, the 2025 winner of World Sportsman of the Year, is back on the shortlist for the same award, joined by 2023 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award winner and tennis icon Carlos Alcaraz for his two tennis Grand Slam titles in 2025, and his rival Jannik Sinner, the 2025 Australian Open and 2025 Wimbledon champion.

“Defending my Australian Open title was a great start, and reaching all four Grand Slam finals, especially winning Wimbledon, was truly special,” said Sinner. “It's an honour to be considered for the most prestigious Award in sport alongside such an amazing group of athletes.”

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The men’s shortlist also includes French footballer Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Moto GP world champion Marc Márquez and Tadej Pogačar the Tour de France winner for the fourth time in six years.

Olympic gold medallists and track world record holders McLaughlin-Levrone and Faith Kipyegon headline the World Sportswoman of the Year category, which also includes Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, the world champion in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay.

Ledecky, who became the first swimmer – male or female – to clinch seven consecutive 800m freestyle world titles, is joined by Aitana Bonmatí, who won her third straight Ballon d’Or Féminin.

Women's tennis World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who reached three Grand Slam finals last year, also makes the cut.

“In 2025, I embraced a new challenge, moving from the 400m hurdles to the 400m — a real step of faith. I’m grateful to have run one of the fastest times ever at World Championships and to have shared 4 x 400m gold with my teammates, moments that felt bigger than me,” said McLaughlin-Levrone.

“I’m thankful to Laureus for this recognition, and I hope it shows that change, approached with faith and courage, can lead to unexpected blessings."

Chloe Kim and Rayssa Leal nominated for Laureus Action Sports Award

Other standout Olympians who have made the shortlist include triple jumper Yulimar Rojas and golfer Rory Mcllroy in the World Comeback of the Year Award, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Désiré Doué and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2024-25 season are both in the World Breakthrough of the Year category.

Snowboarder Chloe Kim, who became the most decorated X Games competitor with her eighth superpipe title, and Skateboarder Rayssa Leal are in the running for the Laureus Action Sports Award.

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony in Madrid, Spain, on Monday 20 April 2026.

The 2026 Awards Ceremony will also celebrate the moment in May 2000 when Nelson Mandela, the first Patron of Laureus, made his landmark speech at the first ever Laureus Awards which sparked the creation of the worldwide Sport for Good movement.

President Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”

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