The winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize is Sam Fender for his third studio album, "People Watching." The award was announced on October 16, 2025, during a ceremony held at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, marking the first time the prize event was held outside London. The judging panel praised the album for its cohesion, character, and ambition, describing it as a classic that blends heartland rock with real-life themes and community significance. This win follows Fender's prior nomination in 2022 for his album "Seventeen Going Under." Fender's "People Watching" has been critically acclaimed and commercially successful, becoming the fastest-selling album by an artist since Harry Styles' "Harry’s House" in 2022.