Steven Gerrard, Ian Woosnam and Ricky Hatton are among the sporting figures to have been named in the New Year's Honours List.
Liverpool captain Gerrard has been recognised, 12 months after he was expected to be honoured.
Gerrard has been awarded the MBE after playing a pivotal role in Liverpool's FA Cup final win over West Ham, a year after helping his club beat Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.
Woosnam has been awarded the OBE for services to golf and enjoyed a fantastic year in captaining Europe's Ryder Cup-winning team.
The Welshman, who had been awarded the MBE in the 1990s, led Europe to a recrd third successive victory over the United States team at the K Club in Ireland in September.
Manchester-based boxer Hatton has also been given an MBE for his services to the sport.
Hatton became a two-weight world champion earlier this year after beating Luis Collazo in Boston.
He steps back down to light-welterweight for his next bout when he aims to regain his IBF title against Juan Urango on January 20.
Other sporting figures to have been honoured include Rangers chairman David Murray, who has received a knighthood.
David Davies, lately the executive director of The Football Association, has been awarded an OBE, while Arsenal ladies' captain Faye White has been given an MBE.
The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips has also received an MBE after becoming the European and world three-day eventing champion this year.
Welsh rugby union legend Gareth Edwards has been made a CBE, while leading amateur golfer Gary Wolstenholme has collected an MBE.