Hamburg – September 04, 2026 -- The SPORT BILD Award 2026 handed out ten trophies to the year's biggest sports names at Hamburg's Fischauktionshalle on Monday evening, honoring standout performances, comebacks and charity work in front of roughly 700 guests from sport, politics, business and media.
TV host Esther Sedlaczek co-presented the show for the first time alongside SPORT BILD editor-in-chief Henning Feindt.
Uli Hoeneß receives the Legend Award for a 48-title career
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß won the Legend Award for his life's work. As player and executive he collected 48 titles, including the 1972 European Championship and 1974 World Cup with West Germany. He took over as Bayern manager in 1979 at age 27 when the club was in debt, later serving as president and supervisory board chairman. Comedian Bruno Jonas delivered the laudatio. Hoeneß said his hunger for success remains: "I love people who are hungry."
Schalke 04 returns to the Bundesliga after three years
FC Schalke 04 won the Riser of the Year award after securing promotion with a 1:0 home win over Fortuna Düsseldorf on matchday 32, ending a three-year stint in the second division. Coach Miron Muslic, sporting director Youri Mulder and goalkeeper Loris Karius accepted the prize.
Julia Taubitz turns a 2022 Olympic crash into 2026 gold
Luge athlete Julia Taubitz received the Olympia Award after winning gold in both the individual and team relay events at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Games, four years after crashing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Luke Littler, 19, becomes darts' youngest-ever world champion
England's Luke Littler took the World Champion Award after defending his title in 2026 following his first win at London's Alexandra Palace in 2025. He became the first darts pro to reach one million Instagram followers.
Alexander Zverev claims his first Grand Slam at the French Open
Hamburg native Alexander Zverev won the Star of the Year award after capturing his first Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open. He could not accept in person as he was competing at the US Open in New York.
Harry Kane scores 61 goals in 51 matches across all competitions
Harry Kane won Football Star of the Year, netting 36 Bundesliga goals to claim his third consecutive scoring title -- a first in the league's history -- while also captaining England to third place at the World Cup with six tournament goals.
A Bonn charity wins €50,000 for inclusive youth sports
Tobias Gemein's Allinclusion Sports, the first inclusive indoor sports club in Bonn and Cologne, received the Kids-Charity-Award along with a €50,000 donation from the Thomas Hagedorn Foundation. His mother, Sandra Gemein, accepted the award.
Decathlete Leo Neugebauer defends his title with a dramatic final sprint
Leo Neugebauer received the editorial team's Special Award after winning the 2026 European Championship in Birmingham, following his 2025 world title, holding off Niklas Kaul in the closing 1500-meter run.
MagentaTV broadcasts all 104 World Cup matches
MagentaTV won the TV Award for its coverage of the World Cup across the US, Canada and Mexico. Presenters Laura Wontorra, Wolff Fuss, Arnim Butzen, Tabea Kemme and Johannes B. Kerner accepted on the broadcaster's behalf, with Kerner also receiving a surprise personal award for 20 years of sports broadcasting.