The Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 brought together the biggest names in global sport in Madrid, celebrating excellence across disciplines in what is widely regarded as the most prestigious honours in international sport.
Tennis stars dominated the evening as Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka clinched the top individual awards, while Paris Saint-Germain were named Team of the Year after a historic season.
Formula One champion Lando Norris, golf star Rory McIlroy, and football prodigy Lamine Yamal were among the other major winners on a night that celebrated both established icons and emerging talents.
Full List of Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 Winners
| Award Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Laureus World Sportsman of the Year | Carlos Alcaraz |
| Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year | Aryna Sabalenka |
| Laureus World Team of the Year | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year | Lando Norris |
| Laureus World Comeback of the Year | Rory McIlroy |
| Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability | Gabriel Araújo |
| Action Sportsperson of the Year | Chloe Kim |
| Young Sportsperson of the Year | Lamine Yamal |
| Sporting Inspiration Award | Toni Kroos |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Nadia Comăneci |
| Sport for Good Award | Fútbol Más |
Voices of the Winners
Carlos Alcaraz, who became the youngest Laureus World Sportsman of the Year winner, reflected on the significance of the recognition, saying it was
"an incredible honour and that the award meant more because it came from "the greatest athletes in the world, across all sport. He also highlighted the inspiration of following legends like Lionel Messi, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, calling it "a moment so special.
Aryna Sabalenka, named World Sportswoman of the Year, described the achievement as "really special and admitted it felt surreal to be mentioned alongside sporting legends. She emphasised that the award represented not just victories but "the hard moments, the pressure, the team, the work every single day, adding that inspiring others would mean everything to her.
Rory McIlroy, who completed a career Grand Slam to win Comeback of the Year, called the honour "a huge honour, both personally and for golf. He noted that the journey, including setbacks and near misses, made the achievement more meaningful, saying those experiences were "a big part of the journey.
Highlights from the Awards
Carlos Alcaraz's rise continued with a landmark season that saw him reclaim the World No.1 ranking and win multiple Grand Slam titles. Aryna Sabalenka maintained her dominance throughout the year, holding on to the top ranking and delivering consistent performances across major tournaments.
Paris Saint-Germain's six-title campaign, including their first UEFA Champions League triumph, earned them Team of the Year honours. Lando Norris' breakthrough Formula One season saw him clinch his maiden world title, while Lamine Yamal's emergence marked the arrival of one of football's brightest young talents. Chloe Kim continued to dominate action sports, and Gabriel Araújo's achievements in para swimming underlined the global diversity of excellence recognised at the awards.
The evening also celebrated legacy and inspiration, with Toni Kroos honoured for his career achievements and Nadia Comăneci receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, marking 50 years since her historic Perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics.
Was There Any Indian Representation?
No Indian athlete featured among the winners or award recipients at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, highlighting the gap between India's growing sporting ecosystem and consistent global excellence at the highest level.
The Laureus Awards are often described as the "Oscars of Sport, recognising not only performance but also impact and legacy. The 2026 edition reflected the rise of a new generation of global stars alongside established champions who continue to redefine excellence.
