Any year that involves an Ashes Series is always a big one, and 2025 is no exception! Here’s what’s on Stuart Broad’s wishlist over the next 12 months…
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
I have to start with my team, Nottingham Forest. As a long-standing fan of the club, people will relate to the fact that I don’t want to make a bold prediction and risk it becoming a curse!
That said, Nuno has done a fantastic job since he came into the club. You can really see that he’s made his mark on the team. The players are playing for him, and there’s been stability—the kind all elite-performing teams enjoy.
He has created an environment where senior players like Chris Wood feel hugely valuable, delivering outstanding results, while younger players have been given the freedom to express themselves.
We’ve had some famous days this season already, topped by the win at Anfield. My hope for 2025 is that this momentum continues. How far we can go? I’m not sure.
We’ll likely hear the old sports saying, ‘one game at a time,’ quite often, but I’d be lying if my best mate Sean and I hadn’t already started talking about potential European away trips next season!
ICC MEN’S CHAMPIONS TROPHY
February sees the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy take place in the subcontinent, marking the first major white-ball tournament under Brendan McCullum.
I remember being at a photoshoot with the Fitzdares team when the news broke that Baz would be taking on the role, and I was excited right away.
When he started working with the Test team, he made an immediate impact, linking up with Ben Stokes and bringing the team together.
The best players thrive when given responsibility.
He’s already expressed how much he’s looking forward to working with Jos Buttler, and that combination could be world-beating.
We have so much exciting talent in English cricket at the moment, but the white-ball team has underperformed and underdelivered for quite some time now.
Baz will give responsibility to his players and make changes over time. The best players thrive when given responsibility.
The Champions Trophy might come too early for his culture to fully embed itself in performances, but with the quality of players we have, I’d say reaching the Semi-Finals should be the minimum expectation.
FORMULA 1
The season kicks off in Melbourne in March for the first time since 2019 and it feels like there have been more team changes than usual over the winter. For British drivers, we might be entering a dominant era.
I think McLaren, who retained the same lineup for 2025 after winning the Constructors’ Championship, could have another great year. I’d love to see Lando Norris continue the form he showed last season and challenge for the Drivers’ Championship.
He’s a fantastic character for the sport, and if McLaren can start the season well, I can see him being a serious contender by the time Abu Dhabi rolls around in December.
For British drivers, we might be entering a dominant era.
I had the delight of being in the McLaren garage at Silverstone in 2024, and the energy and excitement from their staff gave me the sense that something special is coming.
THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
When The Open returned to Royal Portrush in 2019, it certainly didn’t disappoint. The images of Shane Lowry coming down the 18th hole and soaking up the applause of his home crowd were iconic. It’s fantastic that the tournament is returning to Northern Irish shores.
I played the links back in October and loved it. Some of the holes are incredible, including the famous Calamity Corner—a daunting 240-yard Par 3.
It would be amazing to see Shane repeat his success, but for me, I’d love to see Rory McIlroy crowned Champion Golfer of the Year on Sunday afternoon.
He’s had some near misses recently in this major, and I’ve always followed his career closely—especially now. Playing with him at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am last year was a real highlight. What a lovely guy.
He made our group feel very welcome, gave us tips on our putts, and chatted about football, travel, family, and red wine — a man after my own heart!
WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP
It would be incredible for the Red Roses to win their first title since 2014, and on home soil. They’re deservedly ranked the No. 1 team in the world at the moment, having been brilliant over the last couple of years.
We saw how women’s and girls’ football gained momentum after the Lionesses won the EUROs at Wembley in 2022. I think this could be rugby’s equivalent moment.
The media attention Ilona Maher received when she signed for Bristol Bears shows the current growth and opportunities in women’s rugby. A home World Cup win for the Red Roses could elevate the game to new heights.
ENGLAND MEN’S TEST TEAM
It’s a huge year for the Test side. India at home is always one of the great series in my mind, followed by a tour of Australia, where we haven’t won since 2010/11.
This England side is on an upward trajectory, while I’m not fully convinced the same can be said for Australia.
We all know how good India are, so it will be a massive test for Brendan and Ben. That said, this England side is on an upward trajectory, while I’m not fully convinced the same can be said for Australia.
I haven’t seen the next crop of Australian cricketers breaking down the doors for selection, whereas England’s depth is growing, and they don’t play with fear.
Brendan has been selecting players he believes can excel in those conditions, and I like their chances. Touring Australia is one of the hardest challenges in cricket — it takes things going your way to secure a victory.
But how amazing would it be to read this in 12 months’ time and reflect on two key series wins?
The guys at Fitzdares have given me a £500 free bet pot to use on a selection of the major sporting events of my choice. All the profits will go to my Motor Neurone Disease charity — The Broad Appeal.
After drawing a blank in December, here’s what I’m backing with this month’s pot…
£100 Liverpool / Liverpool @ 5/1
Premier League & Champions League, 31st May
£100 Carlos Alcaraz @ 13/10
Wimbledon Men’s Singles, 30th June — 13th July
£100 Rory McIlroy @ 9/1
The Open Championship, 17th — 20 July
£100 British & Irish Lions @ 8/15
Lions Tour of Australia, 19th July — 2nd August
£100 Lando Norris @ 9/4
F1 Drivers’ Championship, 14th March — 7th December
Stuart Broad is Fitzdares’ global Brand Ambassador.
