Rory McIlroy seals legendary status, Luke Littler levels above, Lions and Lionesses roar: Sport's biggest stories in 2025 defined sport in 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, Sky Sports looks back at the sporting stories that defined the year, including Rory McIlroy finding the missing piece to the puzzle, Luke Littler's unrelenting ascent, Lions and Lionesses roaring, and so much more.

Given Rory McIlroy posted 21 top-10 finishes in majors without winning during a decade of near-misses and disappointments, it was fitting that the elusive victory and Grand Slam-clinching success came in such dramatic fashion.

McIlroy took a two-shot lead into the final day of The Masters and recovered from a slow start to find himself four clear with eight holes to play at Augusta National, only to appear in danger of another major collapse after dropping four shots over the next four holes.

A topsy-turvy Sunday saw him add two late birdies but dramatically bogey the last to drop in a play-off with Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose, where a birdie on the first extra hole saw him become just the sixth male in history - and first since Tiger Woods - to complete the career Grand Slam.

Liverpool broke Manchester City's four-year stranglehold on the Premier League title to emerge as kings of English football in 2025.

It saw Arne Slot, in his first season as successor to Jurgen Klopp, become the fourth Liverpool manager to win the title in his first season in charge - and first in the Premier League era.

In addition to drawing level with rivals Manchester United, Liverpool's record-equalling 20th title triumph was made even sweeter by the fact fans were there to watch it unfold, a luxury they were denied by the Covid pandemic in 2019/20.

But those celebrations many had waited a lifetime for at Anfield were cut short six weeks later by the tragic news that striker Diogo Jota had died in a car crash with his brother, Andre Silva.

As the football world mourned the tragic loss of the Portugal international, Liverpool somehow tried to come to terms with the unthinkable tragedy, grieve the loss of a friend and team-mate, all while trying to defend the title he played an instrumental role in delivering.

Luke Littler's rise has been remarkable, but his 2025 season has taken him to new heights.

At just 18, he became the youngest PDC world No 1, breaking Michael van Gerwen's long‑standing record.

His year began with a maiden world title at Alexandra Palace, setting the tone for a dominant campaign. He added major victories at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, and UK Open, along with titles in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium and Flanders.

Littler then defended his Grand Slam of Darts crown against Luke Humphries and capped the year with Players Championship Finals glory as he reached world No 1.

A thrilling three-way battle for the Formula 1 drivers' title went down to the wire at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Lando Norris had fought back from an unconvincing first half of the year to put himself in position to seal a maiden title, with the Brit needing a podium finish at the final race to ensure he stayed ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver piled the pressure on by taking pole, but Norris drove a mature race with some nerveless overtakes to hold on by two points, cueing emotional celebrations, and setting the Formula 1 landscape perfectly for the upcoming regulation reset in 2026.

England's Lionesses remained European football's dominant force but had a nation on tenterhooks with a dramatic defence of their crown at Euro 2025.

Sarina Wiegman blended experience with youthful exuberance and England needed both in equal measure as they pulled themselves back from the brink of elimination on multiple occasions.

2022 heroine Chloe Kelly stole the headlines once again as her last-gasp winner in the semi-final against Italy and the decisive penalty in the nail-biting penalty shootout against Spain in the final led England to glory.

But the foundations were laid by breakthrough star Michelle Agyemang, whose crucial goals rescued the Lionesses from the brink of quarter-final and semi-final elimination at the hands of Sweden and Italy, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, whose four saves across two shootouts proved equally as crucial.

Four years of anticipation - and lifetimes of preparation - came to a crescendo in seven thrilling weeks of action, culminating in the British and Irish Lions storming to series victory in Australia - their first winning tour in 12 years.

Defeat to Argentina in Dublin focused minds within Andy Farrell's squad before they had even jetted off Down Under, but their arrival in Australia marked the start of a five-game winning run through to the first Test in Brisbane, where the Wallabies were blown away.

The MCG - one of sport's greatest cathedrals - played host to what turned out to be a thriller series decider. Australia mounted a rousing response to their Brisbane no-show, blasting out of the traps and into a 23-5 first-half lead.

But in front of a record Lions crowd of over 90,000, the tourists roared back, with Hugo Keenan's last-minute try providing the series-clinching moment that will live forever in the memory.

A heart-breaking 34-31 loss in the 2021 Rugby World Cup for England after losing a player due to a red card, set up the perfect redemption story - finally winning it again, but this time on home soil.

The Red Roses had won every game since their loss to New Zealand in the last RWC final, so it was very much expected that they would take the win this time.

That they did, dismissing an impressive Canadian side 33-13 to show their dominance and win in front of a sold-out Twickenham crowd of 81,885 spectators - a world record for a women's rugby union game.

Canada may have found the try line first, but England quickly snapped back and pulled ahead with tries from Ellie Kildunne, Amy Cokayne, and Alex Matthews in the first half.

The second half was much the same with another try from Matthews and Abbie Ward also scoring a try, while Zoe Harrison converted all but one.

Cowboy hats, TikTok dances, a sold-out Twickenham and a whole generation inspired by the Red Roses, it had it all.

McIlroy said after Team Europe's 2023 Ryder Cup success they would win on away soil in the next contest, with Luke Donald turning that dream into a reality by captaining them to victory in New York.

Donald retained 11 of his line-up from the win in Rome two years earlier, with Europe overcoming a hostile home crowd at Bethpage Black to build up a record-breaking advantage heading into the Sunday singles.

Hopes of a European win by a record margin turned into a nervy wait to close out victory, with Shane Lowry earning the half-point that guaranteed Europe retained the trophy before Tyrrell Hatton ensured they were the first side - from either team - to win on away soil since 2012.

Just as it did throughout his unforgettable career in the ring, 'There's only one Ricky Hatton' was the chant that echoed through the streets as Manchester - and the world of boxing - said goodbye to one of their own.