Crafton and Maul Among Winners as British Sports Journalism Awards Highlight Editorial Excellence

April 28, 2026 – UK –

The 2025 British Sports Journalism Awards have recognised leading figures across UK sports media, with The Athletic’s Adam Crafton and The Sun’s Rob Maul among the headline winners for their writing and reporting work during the year.

Adam Crafton was named SJA Sports Journalist of the Year, receiving the John Bromley Trophy for his consistent investigative and agenda-setting reporting. Judges highlighted his work on major sporting institutions and international football, noting his ability to break significant stories and maintain a strong network of sources across elite sport. His award marks a second win in the category, reinforcing his position as one of the most prominent investigative sports journalists in the UK.

The Guardian also had a strong showing across categories, being named Sports Publisher of the Year. The judging panel praised the publication’s breadth of coverage and editorial consistency across multiple sports disciplines, describing its output as both diverse and high quality.

In the feature writing categories, Rob Maul of The Sun won the Short-Form Feature Writer award. His work was recognised for its storytelling range across major global sporting events and his coverage of high-profile athletes and competitions. Judges noted the strength of his reporting portfolio, which spans football, darts, snooker, athletics, and Olympic Games coverage.

The awards ceremony, held at the London Palladium, brought together journalists, editors, and broadcasters from across the UK sports media industry. Categories spanned writing, broadcast, photography, and data journalism, reflecting the evolving nature of sports reporting and the increasing emphasis on multimedia storytelling.

Alongside individual honours, several major outlets were recognised for editorial strength. The Sunday Times retained Newspaper of the Year, while The Guardian’s recognition as Sports Publisher underscored its competitive position within the UK sports media landscape.

The awards come amid continued changes in sports journalism, with digital-first reporting, investigative exclusives, and cross-platform storytelling playing an increasingly central role in defining success within the industry.

Overall, the 2025 winners reflect a sector balancing traditional match reporting with deeper investigative work and expanded global coverage, as sports journalism continues to evolve across print, broadcast, and online platforms.

Reference –

The Guardian named Sports Publisher of the Year at SJA British Sports Journalism Awards

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/38956742/sun-rob-maul-wins-best-feature-writer-award/