Sports podcasts are being recognised alongside sports books for the first time at the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards.
Sport Social Podcast Network has been confirmed as partner and sponsor of a new Sports Podcast of the Year category, with submissions now open ahead of this year’s awards.
The category recognises podcasts that use audio to explore sport through interviews, analysis and personality-led storytelling, reflecting the growing role podcasts play in sports media coverage and fan engagement.
It will sit alongside a newly introduced Sports Audiobook of the Year category, broadening the awards beyond traditional publishing and highlighting the different ways audiences now experience sports storytelling through audio.
The Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards are now in their 24th year and are widely recognised internationally for celebrating sports writing.
Each year they bring together athletes, authors, publishers and broadcasters to recognise the stories shaping sport.
Podcasts produced in the UK and released during 2025 are eligible to enter. Judges will assess submissions using four criteria covering creativity, production, storytelling and audience engagement.
The judging panel includes David Fulton from Sky Sports, talkSPORT host Georgie Heath, Sky News presenter Sarah Jane Mee, sports management founder Jo Tongue, ITV football commentator Sam Matterface, BBC golf presenter Eilidh Barbour, Trevor Watkins and Sport Social director of sport Jim Salveson.
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.”
Entries require a written statement explaining the podcast’s impact along with a representative episode and supporting materials demonstrating its storytelling and audience engagement.
Submissions close on 31 March, with the shortlist due to be announced on 23 April. The winners will be revealed during the awards ceremony at The Kia Oval on 21 May, hosted by Mark Pougatch.
You can submit entries via sportsbookawards.com/sports-podcast-of-the-year-submissions.
