2025 Sports Retrospective: Discover the 13 Main Sporting Events of the Year!

Talking about data, statistics, regulations, and calendars is important, but stories cannot be left aside. They are what make sports thrilling and engage crowds all over the world. And for Blaze, all sports matter — even though we only cover those with Betting Authorized in Brazil under MESP Ordinance No. 125 of December 30, 2024.

And you know it very well: 2025 was an intense year, full of exciting sports stories marked by athletes’ resilience, whether favorites or underdogs. To help you remember the most important ones, we have prepared a complete 2025 sports retrospective. Check it out!

PSG win the Champions League with the biggest rout in a final

Paris Saint-Germain is a relatively young club, founded in 1970, and has featured legendary football names such as George Weah, Raí, David Ginola, and Ronaldinho. Acquired by Qatar Sports Investment in 2011, the French club reached a new level and established domestic dominance — but it took 14 years to reach the top of Europe.

Interestingly, the long-awaited Champions League title came when the Parisians changed their recruitment profile. After prioritizing media stars like Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé, the club hired coach Luis Enrique and shifted toward more hard-working, high-potential signings such as Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, and João Neves.

Against Inter Milan, PSG delivered the biggest win ever in a Champions League final, beating their opponents 5–0 and becoming the second French club to lift the trophy. During 2025, the team also won Ligue 1, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup.

Chelsea win the first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup

The creation of a Club World Cup was suggested by FIFA in 1906 and again in 1970, had a test version in the 2000 Club World Cup, and finally held its first official edition in 2025. Meanwhile, the tournament featuring the continental champions remains active, now renamed the Intercontinental Cup.

Bringing together the 32 teams with the best sporting performance over the last four years — whether continental champions or top-ranked teams from their confederations — the tournament was nicknamed the Super Club World Cup and proved that South American teams can compete with European sides. Flamengo came from behind to beat Chelsea 3–1, and Fluminense defeated Inter Milan 2–0.

The inaugural champions, however, came from the Old Continent: Chelsea of England. With a theoretically easier path to the final, Enzo Maresca’s Blues had no trouble against PSG in the decisive match and won 3–0. Two goals from midfielder Cole Palmer and one from new signing João Pedro showed that the London club is back to its former high level of competitiveness.

Top champions of the year, Flamengo become the Brazilian club with the most Libertadores titles

Flamengo experienced a remarkable 2025, winning six trophies and finishing as the most successful team of the year. In the first half of the season, they lifted the Supercopa Rei by defeating rivals Botafogo 3–1 and claimed their 39th Campeonato Carioca by beating Fluminense 2–1 on aggregate, further extending their record as the competition’s most decorated club.

The dream of reclaiming the world throne, however, was postponed once again. Flamengo showed promise at the Club World Cup by coming from behind to beat Chelsea 3–1, but were defeated 4–2 by Bayern Munich. It was not an even contest, but they bowed out with dignity. In the Intercontinental Cup, they drew 1–1 with PSG and lost on penalties after being stopped by goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, who saved four Flamengo spot kicks.

Even so, the Rubro-Negro were the team to beat when facing sides from the Americas. They won the Derby of the Americas by defeating Cruz Azul 2–1, and also claimed the Challenger Cup by beating Pyramids 2–0, securing a place in the Intercontinental final. And yes, the Rio club played these matches after becoming four-time Libertadores champions by defeating Palmeiras 1–0 in Lima. Their eighth Brasileirão title was secured early, with a three-point advantage over the same rivals.

It is still unclear whether coach Filipe Luís will remain in charge in 2026, as no agreement has yet been reached to renew his contract. In just over a year, the former left-back won seven titles as a coach — and including his playing career, he now has 17 trophies with his boyhood club. With or without the Santa Catarina native, one thing is certain: Flamengo remain a dominant regional powerhouse.

Political crisis? Even so, Corinthians end a six-year title drought

Corinthians began 2025 with a six-year trophy drought, the second longest in the club’s history — surpassed only by the 23-year spell without silverware between 1954 and 1977. Despite their tradition and passionate fanbase, Timão had to overcome financial problems and an ongoing political crisis that even resulted in the impeachment of president Augusto Melo in August.

A marquee signing, Dutch star Memphis Depay was the standout player in a squad that returned to winning ways with two trophies: the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa do Brasil. Players such as Yuri Alberto, Rodrigo Garro, Breno Bidon, Matheus Bidu, and Hugo Souza were also crucial in turning a turbulent season into one that fans will remember fondly in the years to come.

In the Paulista Championship, Corinthians denied Palmeiras a fourth consecutive title by winning 1–0 at Allianz Parque and drawing 0–0 at Neo Química Arena, where Hugo saved a penalty from Raphael Veiga to secure the trophy. Ramón and Emiliano Díaz were in charge at the time, but elimination from the Libertadores and an inconsistent Brasileirão campaign led to the duo’s dismissal.

Under Dorival Júnior, the Copa do Brasil run once again brought their biggest rivals into their path, and Palmeiras were eliminated 3–0 on aggregate. After the derby, Timão had to overcome club idol Cássio, now at Cruzeiro, in a penalty shootout, and then defeated Vasco da Gama 2–1 at the Maracanã to lift the title after 16 years. Curiously, the drought ended against the same opponent they faced in their first World Championship, while wearing a jersey honoring that historic triumph.

Mirassol surprise and become the best debut team in the history of the round-robin era

We have already talked about the biggest Underdogs of 2025, but if we were to highlight the main one, it is simple: Mirassol. While many believed the Lions would debut in the top flight already destined for relegation to Série B, the team from the interior of São Paulo had other plans — and surprised all of Brazil.

With 18 wins, 13 draws, and seven losses, Rafael Guanaes’ side finished the Brasileirão in 4th place. Not only was it the best campaign ever by a newly promoted team since Grêmio Barueri’s 49 points in 2009, but it also earned Mirassol a direct debut in the Libertadores group stage.

It can already be considered one of the best centenary seasons in the history of Brazilian football, especially given that many traditional clubs did not enjoy such a positive celebratory year as the Lions. It is still unclear what 2026 will look like for the club, which will need to strengthen its squad and retain its key players for continental competition. For now, however, it is time to celebrate and plan ahead.

As expected, Remo will not play the next Série B… for a good reason

Few fan bases were as happy in 2025 as that of Clube do Remo. At the start of the season, most expectations were that the Lions had a real chance of not being in the second division in 2026. Those who thought so were correct, although they probably did not guess which division the team from Belém would be playing: Série A, after finishing the season in 4th place.

There were 16 wins, 14 draws, and eight losses in the tournament, in a story that captivated the country. The campaign featured some instability, as Remo had three different coaches during the Série B season. Daniel Paulista left the club to take charge of Sport and was replaced by his predecessor, António Oliveira. After disappointing results, the Portuguese coach was dismissed, and Guto Ferreira led the team to promotion — although he did not reach an agreement to stay and was replaced by Juan Carlos Osório.

Former Flamengo executive Marcos Braz was responsible for scouting the market and assembling a squad full of intriguing signings. Names such as Greek midfielder Panagiotis Tachtsidis surprised many and played a key role in the campaign, although standouts like forward Pedro Rocha will not remain with the club for the return to the top flight after 31 years.

To make the fans even happier, rivals Paysandu finished bottom of Série B and were relegated with just five wins, 13 draws, and 20 losses. And for Papão supporters, remembering the 4–2 thrashing of Criciúma will be bittersweet — had the Tigers picked up points, Remo would have been overtaken in the table.

The growth of women’s football toward the first Women’s Club World Cup

When it comes to women’s football, it is impossible not to highlight how the sport continues to grow in popularity and investment. For example, the 2025 Women’s European Championship was held in Switzerland and attracted 657,291 spectators, with England defeating Spain 3–1 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regular time, crowning the winning generation led by Sarina Wiegman.

In South America, Brazil prevailed once again. Now under the leadership of Arthur Elias, the Canarinhas won their ninth Women’s Copa América title — the fourth against Colombia. After a thrilling 4–4 draw, the tournament’s most successful team came out on top with a 5–4 victory on penalties.

At club level, Corinthians remain dominant in the Americas under Lucas Piccinato, Arthur Elias’ successor. They became seven-time Brazilian champions by defeating Cruzeiro and six-time Libertadores champions after beating Santa Fe on penalties.

In Europe, Arsenal claimed a historic first title against Barcelona, winning 1–0 in a result that also serves as inspiration for the men’s team. Even without dethroning Chelsea Women domestically, the Gunners qualified for the 2026 Women’s Club World Cup, which will be held in London at the beginning of the year.

Max Verstappen finds a worthy rival in F1: Lando Norris

Tu, Tu, Tu, Tu… Max Verstappen? If you want to use the hit by Carte Blanq, Nils van Zandt, and Maxx Power to answer who the Formula 1 champion is, you cannot for the first time in four years. That is because British driver Lando Norris ended the Dutchman’s dominance in the world’s premier motorsport competition.

At 26 years old, Norris secured the title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and ended McLaren’s 17-year drought, as the team last won in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton. Norris’ compatriot, incidentally, went on to become a four-time champion with Mercedes before Verstappen’s era of dominance.

Despite his victory in the United Arab Emirates, Verstappen fell short of a fifth consecutive title. Even so, he remains the third-winningest driver in F1 history, with 71 victories — his first coming at the Spanish Grand Prix in May 2016. Norris, on the other hand, has just 11 wins, with his first at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix and his most recent at this year’s São Paulo Grand Prix. Having begun his F1 career in 2019, four years later he has already become a real threat to Verstappen in the fight for future titles.

With Taylor Swift in the stands, Travis Kelce loses Super Bowl LIX

Growing ever more popular outside the United States, the NFL has always known how to turn its championship game into a major event not only in sports, but also in entertainment. In 2025, rapper Kendrick Lamar headlined the halftime show, with special appearances such as actor Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam and former tennis star Serena Williams as one of the dancers.

Focusing on what matters most here, Super Bowl LIX was a rematch of the 2023 final between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. While two years ago it was a close game won by the Missouri franchise 38–35, this time the story was very different. Once again, it was the Chiefs who came out on top, winning 40–22.

Coached by Nick Sirianni, the Eagles went into halftime leading 24–0 and even opened up a 34-point advantage. Patrick Mahomes was the standout for the Chiefs and tried to spark a comeback, but it was not enough. Travis Kelce, meanwhile, had a quiet performance and failed to deliver the game his girlfriend — now fiancée — Taylor Swift would have liked to see.

Oklahoma City Thunder make history with NBA title

Still in the United States, the 2025 NBA Finals ended a 46-year drought: the Oklahoma City Thunder won the world’s biggest basketball championship for the first time since 1979, and for the first time under their current name and location, as the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma in 2008.

After strengthening the roster with players such as Nikola Topić, Dillon Jones, and Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder entered the season full of expectations. Some absences raised concern, including injuries to Holmgren and Hartenstein, but the franchise went on a 15-game winning streak, the longest in its history.

With 68 wins in the regular season and a record 87 points on May 8, Oklahoma City saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander become the third MVP in franchise history. Their opponents in the Finals were the Indiana Pacers, who lost all seven games of the series. In other words, it was a truly historic year for the Thunder.

João Fonseca stops being a prospect and becomes a reality

It is hard to talk about sports standouts without mentioning João Fonseca, the biggest prospect in tennis. Or can we already say the Brazilian is a reality? At 19 years old, the Rio de Janeiro native enjoyed a trophy-filled 2025 and will start 2026 ranked 29th in the ATP rankings.

Fonseca won the Canberra Challenger 125 and the Buenos Aires ATP 250 in the very first months of the year. Other titles claimed by him were the Phoenix Challenger 175 and the most emblematic one: the Basel ATP 500, in October.

It is no coincidence that the Brazilian has already been praised by legends of the sport such as Guga and Meligeni. Is a new national idol on the way? Keep an eye on the next chapters.

Scottie Scheffler establishes himself as the greatest golfer of the present day

At 49 years old, Tiger Woods is attempting a return to professional golf after undergoing three back surgeries in the past year. The record holder for PGA Tour wins, with 82, the American closely watches the rise of compatriot Scottie Scheffler and may see some of his records surpassed. In 2025, he was already matched in the Jack Nicklaus Award, having been named Player of the Year four consecutive times.

At 29, the New Jersey golfer is already third on the PGA Tour all-time money list, with US$ 99.4 million in earnings — just US$ 21.5 million less than Woods. Scheffler is only one title away from completing the Grand Slam, and for many, it is only a matter of time before he achieves the feat.

This year, the leader of the PGA ranking claimed six victories, including titles at the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. Scottie has led the ranking since April 2022 and has established himself as the top name in golf today. And in 2025, he even appeared in Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel to the Adam Sandler movie.

Blaze creates a Sports Betting Encyclopedia

And if you follow our blog, you already know: this year we launched our Sports Betting Encyclopedia, a comprehensive piece of content covering the most important points to help you have fun betting on your favorite sport (and for those who enjoy esports, the eSports Betting Guide).

We have always defended that Responsible Gambling is a crucial mindset for any betting experience. After all, knowledge is important to help you plan and keep expectations aligned with what matters most: entertainment within well-established limits.

Knowing the rules, tips, and how each market and bet type works is important, but it does not guarantee any result. Remember that betting is as unpredictable as sports themselves, and therefore respecting your limits and never using money you cannot afford to lose is a matter of survival — since betting is not a source of income or an investment. Deal?

We wish our players a happy new year and would like to thank you for your trust and for having fun with Blaze. May 2026 be an even better year, in which we will continue together to spread the culture of Responsible Gambling.

Ready to have fun with us? Visit Blaze’s Sports Betting page and good luck.