With 2025 at a close, it’s been an incredible year for sport as the top competitions and events played out in dramatic fashion around the world, and here the Daily Star Sport looks back at an incredible year
Sport continues to provide us all with moments of escapism – and how 2025 delivered some that will live long in the memories of those who witnessed them. While wars continued to rage around the world, sports took people to happier places.
Who can forget one of the most thrilling Ryder Cups in history? Europe hung on at the death to claim a rare win on American soil, and make it back-to-back triumphs in golf’s greatest event. Once again, Europe were fuelled by the brilliance of Rory McIlroy who, five months earlier, cemented his iconic greatness with an emotional win at the Masters to compete the Grand Slam of golf.
In football it was the year of the underdog, with Crystal Palace and Newcastle United winning the domestic cups on offer. Liverpool rose to the top of the English game once again with another league title taking them to a record-equalling 20, then fell from grace in dramatic fashion.
But the ups and downs of one of the world’s biggest clubs were put into perspective following the news of the tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car accident.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses defended their European title in Switzerland, winning a dramatic penalty shoot out with Spain. While Scotland booked a place at next summer’s World Cup alongside England, for the first time this century.
The British & Irish Lions overcame Australia to win the Test series 2-1, with Hugo Keenan’s try in the final minute sealing an astonishing triumph. But there has been no such glory for England’s cricket team Down Under.
Despite sharing a thrilling series with India on home soil, Ben Stokes’s men had no answer to the might of the Aussies, reducing their hopes of heading home with the Ashes to dust.
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Having lost the first three Tests, England at least salvaged some pride in Melbourne. But two of the four Tests have lasted less than two days – and have been nothing short of utterly bizarre.
In tennis, Jannik Sinner dethroned Carlos Alcaraz as the king of Wimbledon. And the two of them have now developed a rivalry which looks destined to dominate the sport for years to come.
What a 12 months it has been for darts sensation Luke Littler. One which began with him becoming world champion at the age of just 17, and ended with him becoming the youngest ever word No.1.
And few will bet against him defending his title at Alexander Palace in the coming days, as the teenager from Warrington continues to revolutionise his sport.
Lando Norris was also feeling on top of the world. In a thrilling three-way battle for the Formula One title which went down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, Norris emerged triumphant to take the coveted crown.
Elsewhere, Chelsea won the inaugural Club World Cup in America, Hull KR secured a historic treble-winning season culminating in a Grand Final win at Old Trafford, and the Red Roses won the World Cup in front of a record crowd at Twickenham, earning redemption following their heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2021 edition.
2025 hasn’t been without sadness, of course, with sport having to mourn the losses of Ricky Hatton, Denis Law, George Foreman and Robin Smith, along with Jota.
But we continue to marvel at the wonderment of those masters of their chosen craft. So roll on 2026.
‘Battle of the Sexes’ turns out to be completely pointless from start to finish
Doubters dismissed a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka as a pointless exhibition. And so it proved.
Played at a pedestrian pace, Kyrgios won 6-3 6-3 in Dubai. But what did we learn? The answer is nothing. Unless you count the fact Aussie loudmouth Kyrgios seems desperate to remain relevant.
Or that the women’s world No.1 cannot beat a bloke who has seen his own ranking plummet to 671. At least the two of them managed to boost their respective bank balances.
But more fool all of those who bought tickets for the event, to help them do it.