If you needed a reminder that the triple j Hottest 100 is never just a countdown but a full-blown national obsession, consider this it.
With voting for the Hottest 100 of 2025 officially closing this Thursday, January 15 at 5pm AEDT, triple j has released a sneak peek at how the tally is shaping up — and the numbers are so tight they’ve sent fans into full conspiracy mode.
No songs have been named, no rankings revealed, but the stats alone are enough to suggest this year’s winner could come down to a handful of votes. Yes, literally your vote.
What triple j has revealed so far
According to the broadcaster, the 2025 countdown is shaping up to be one of the closest races in recent memory.
Right now, one artist is tracking for a rare back-to-back entry in the countdown, four positions are locked in a dead heat, and a massive 20 songs are separated by 10 votes or fewer. Even wilder? The songs currently sitting at #97, #98 and #99 are split by just one single vote.
In other words: nothing is settled, everything is chaos, and the final order is still very much up for grabs.
Why fans think this is a big deal
Triple j releasing this kind of data isn’t new, but the timing has sent listeners spiralling. With only days left to vote, the update feels less like a fun teaser and more like a not-so-subtle reminder that the outcome is still actively changing.
For a countdown where bragging rights last all year, the idea that a handful of votes could decide who takes out the top spot has reignited last-minute campaigning across group chats, social feeds and workplace debates.
Translation: if your favourite song misses out, you can’t say you weren’t warned.
Who wins the Hottest 100?
While we will have to wait to find out for sure, according to Sportsbet, it will be English superstar Olivia Dean who takes home the 2026 honour with Man I Need. She is currently the favourite to win on the site, with odds sitting at 1.40.
Given that Olivia has dominated both independent and commercial charts (not to mention our Spotify playlists) for the past year, it is likely that she will indeed reign supreme in the publicly voted countdown.
Also sitting with favourable odds is Aussie star Keli Holiday, with Dancing2 – arguably one of the year’s most listened to and talked about bops.
When does Hottest 100 voting close?
Voting for the triple j Hottest 100 of 2025 officially closes Thursday, January 15 at 5pm AEDT.
Votes can be cast via the triple j website or the triple j app, and every listener can submit up to 10 songs.
When is the triple j Hottest 100 countdown?
The Hottest 100 of 2025 will be counted down live on Saturday, January 24 from 12pm AEDT, with triple j hosting its annual nationwide listening party.
If that’s not enough, the celebrations continue across the following week.
What happens after the Hottest 100?
The countdown doesn’t stop at number one.
On Sunday, January 25, Double J will relive the Hottest 100 of 2005 from midday local time. From Tuesday, January 27 to Friday, January 30, triple j will count down the Hottest 200 of 2025 in segments, before airing the full Hottest 200 on Saturday, January 31 at 10am local time.
So if your fave gets robbed, there’s still a chance for redemption.
Head to the triple j website or triple j app to lock in your votes now.
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