Sports are more than just games viewers watch on a television screen, they are pieces of raw talent and hard work that culminates in extremely emotional and exciting moments. 2025 was a big year for sports, with special moments across the globe and in different disciplines, each representing major achievements in the sporting world.
15. Ohio State wins the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) football championship
This list starts with Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame. The NCAA football championship game was the culmination of the 24-25 college football season, where Ohio State was able to obtain their ninth national title, with the last one being in 2014.
14. Washington Commanders make to the National Football Conference (NFC) championship
The NFC championship game was filled with excitement from Washington Commanders fans as this was the first time since 1992 that the team has been to the championship. The game that got the Commanders to the NFC championship was also incredibly intense, with the Commander’s defense managing three interceptions to pull ahead. This miraculous run helped bring the Commanders back into the spotlight, and reinstated their status as a highly competitive team.
13. 2026 Fifa World Cup groups announced
The World Cup is always a highly anticipated sporting event, with the World Cup happening just next year. Fifa just revealed the 2026 World Cup groupings Dec 5, with the event being held at the Kennedy Center. The 12 groups were drawn, sparking much debate over the potential results of next year’s tournament. This discussion has only further increased anticipation for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
12. Rory Mcilroy wins masters tournament
After winning the Professional Golfer’s Association of America (PGA) championship and Open championship in 2014, Rory Mcilroy was just one step away from achieving a career grand slam. But in April, Mcilroy was able to clinch the masters tournament, becoming one of only four golfers ever to win all four Major championships, an extremely emotional moment for Mcilroy.
11. Messi wins Major League Soccer (MLS) golden boot
During the 2025 regular season, Messi was named the MLS most valuable player (MVP), making him the second player to win the award twice, and the only player to win the award back to back years. Messi, the captain of Inter Miami, won the award after scoring a total of 29 goals across 28 games.
10. Tadej Pogacar wins Tour de France
Tadej Pogacar cemented himself as a dominant player in cycling, winning a fourth title at the Tour de France. Through each phase of the over 20 day long race, overcoming various terrains and fierce competition. After winning his fourth win, Pogacar is only one title away from tying the world record for number of titles.
9. Coco Gauff wins French Open
Coco Gauff displayed her unwavering dedication as she beat the number one ranked player, Aryna Sabalenka, at the French Open. This dramatic victory gave Gauff her second grand slam, and also made her the second American to win the French Open since Serena Williams.
8. England wins Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) women’s championship
After a back and forth shoot out with Spain, the England Lionesses were able to win the UEFA European championship. This was a satisfying result for England fans, who were disappointed after the team’s loss at the world cup final to Spain.
7. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) wins UEFA Champions League title
PSG was able to win their first ever UEFA Champions League title after scoring a decimating 5-0 against Inter Milan. Back in 2020, the club went to their first championship game and lost, making their victory this year more special.
6. Gators win the NCAA basketball championship
During the highly anticipated March Madness competition, college basketball teams were whittled down until only the Florida Gators and Houston Cougars were set to face off in the final. In the first half, the Gators were down, 28-31, but after a great second half, they were able to make a comeback and win, 65-63.
5. Lando Norris secures maiden Formula 1 (F1) title
Coming into the finals, there was much anticipation around whether Lando Norris would be able to keep the lead, or if Max Verstappen would be able to come up with a comeback. In the final race, Norris placed third, behind Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. However, when the points were tallied up, Norris was able to barely win over Verstappen with just a two point lead.
4. The Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) wins the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship
OKC took the NBA championship during game seven, with the first first championship for the team in 17 years. During the 2020-21 and 2021-22 NBA season, the team was relatively unremarkable. However, in the last two seasons, the team has shown dominance over the other teams, with their victory marking a pinnacle of their achievements.
3. Alex Ovechkin breaks the all-time National Hockey League (NHL) scoring record
Alex Ovechkin has always been a dominant force in the NHL, but during the 2025 season he reaffirmed his status by breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 all time scores. The moment he broke the record happened in a game against the New York Islanders, with Ovechkin celebrating the moment with a belly flop in the middle of the rink.
2. The Los Angeles Dodgers (LA) Dodgers win the World Series
In this year’s world series, The LA Dodgers managed to win the championship in a close game between the Toronto Blue Jays. This victory has further cemented the team’s strength, being their ninth World Series title, and the first time in the MLB where a team has won back to back titles.
1. The Philadelphia Eagles win the Superbowl
This year’s Superbowl was the climax of the 24-25 NFL season. The game saw the Kansas City Chiefs, at that time the reigning champions who were going for a three-peat, versus the Philadelphia Eagles, who had built up a strong defense with great offensive players such as Arthur Juan Brown and Saquon Barkley. The game itself wasn’t exactly neck and neck—with the Eagles beating the Chiefs 40-22—but the pure magnitude of the event—including the Half-time show run by Kendrick Lamar—made Superbowl LIX the best sports moment of 2025.