A host of world-class athletes are set to descend on Madrid later this month for the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards, including 24-time Grand Slam champion and reigning Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Novak Djokovic.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious ‘athletes’ awards’, one of the most significant honors in the sporting world. For the second consecutive year, Madrid will host the ceremony, with the iconic Palacio de Cibeles serving as the venue on Monday, April 21.
Djokovic Returns to Madrid for Special 25th Anniversary
Five-time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Novak Djokovic, expressed his excitement about attending the milestone event:
“It’s exciting to be back in Madrid to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Laureus World Sports Awards. I have cherished memories of picking up my fifth Laureus here last year, and it’s a privilege to return. The Awards offer a rare opportunity for us athletes to not only reunite and share our experiences but also to celebrate the mission of Laureus – given to us by Nelson Mandela 25 years ago – to use sport to change the world.”
Since winning his fifth Laureus Statuette in 2024, Djokovic has continued to make history, securing Olympic gold at Paris 2024 and cementing his place in the Golden Slam record books.
Sporting Icons to Attend the Star-Studded Event
The Laureus World Sports Academy, an exclusive group of legendary athletes, will be well represented at the Awards. Confirmed attendees include six-time Grand Slam champion and Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker, football icons Cafu, Luis Figo, and Ruud Gullit, gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci (celebrating 50 years since her historic ‘Perfect 10’), and Olympic champions such as Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, Chris Hoy, and Steve Redgrave.
Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Madrid:
“It is such a thrill to be back in Madrid, where the city and the wider region welcomed us so warmly last year. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we also look forward to honoring the athletes who made 2024 an unforgettable year.”
Laureus Academy: The Experts Behind the Awards
The 69 sporting legends who make up the Laureus World Sports Academy are responsible for selecting the winners. Their unique insights and firsthand experience allow them to recognize the incredible achievements of the nominees, chosen from over 1,300 top sports journalists worldwide. Each winner will receive the prestigious Laureus Statuette, one of the most recognizable symbols of sporting excellence.
A Celebration Beyond Sport
Alongside the sporting greats, the event will also welcome celebrities from the worlds of fashion, film, and entertainment, as well as Laureus Ambassadors such as Fabio Capello (former Real Madrid coach and two-time La Liga winner), tennis champion Garbiñe Muguruza (who announced her retirement at last year’s Awards), and adventurer Annabelle Bond.
Confirmed Sporting Icons Attending the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards
Football:
Cafu, Ruud Gullit, Fabio Capello, Luis Figo, Kosovare Asllani
Athletics:
Nawal El Moutawakel, Edwin Moses, Tegla Loroupe
Para Athletics:
Tanni Grey-Thompson
Rugby:
Sean Fitzpatrick, Bryan Habana, Hugo Porta
Skiing:
Maria Höfl-Riesch
Cycling:
Chris Hoy
Tennis:
Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker, Garbiñe Muguruza, Mansour Bahrami, Belinda Bencic
Gymnastics:
Nadia Comăneci, Li Xiaopeng
Motor Racing:
Emerson Fittipaldi
Rowing:
Steve Redgrave
Squash:
Nicol David
Hockey:
Luciana Aymar
Para Swimming:
Daniel Dias
Windsurfing:
Robby Naish
Cricket:
Steve Waugh
Para Fencing:
Beatrice Vio
Media Accreditation & Coverage
Journalists wishing to cover the Laureus World Sports Awards should apply for media accreditation as soon as possible. Accredited media will not only have access to the Awards Ceremony but also the opportunity to interview Academy Members, nominees, and other sporting stars throughout the three-day event from Saturday, April 19, to Monday, April 21.
Laureus: Using Sport to Change Lives
Beyond celebrating sporting excellence, the Laureus World Sports Awards also serve as a platform for Laureus Sport for Good, a global initiative dedicated to using sport to combat violence, discrimination, and inequality.
Today, Laureus supports over 300 programs in more than 50 countries, working to transform communities and empower young people. Since its founding in 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has positively impacted over seven million children and young adults, demonstrating the transformative power of sport.
