Top 10 Biggest Sports Upsets of 2025

Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk's points victory in the rematch against Tyson Fury in 2025 cemented his status as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Fury, who had promised to retire after losing the first fight, was widely expected to reclaim the title with home-crowd support, making the unanimous decision victory a stunning result.

Newcastle United's first top-flight English title since 1927 shocked the football world in 2024-25, ending the Manchester City and Liverpool duopoly that had dominated the Premier League for over a decade. Backed by Saudi PIF investment and managed tactically astutely, the Magpies' title triumph was the decade's biggest domestic football shock.

American Coco Gauff's unexpected defence of her US Open title in 2025 at age 21 was considered a massive upset by seedings, as she dispatched both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek en route to the trophy. Her power baseline game and improved serve had transformed her from a promising young player into a dominant force within a single season.

Argentina's 3-0 demolition of Brazil in the 2025 Copa America final was Messi's most comprehensive international victory, with the hosts completely outclassed in front of their home support. Brazil's elimination by their fiercest rivals on their own soil prompted a crisis of confidence and coaching changes in the Selecao setup.

Bayer Leverkusen's back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2024-25 — including their historic unbeaten 2023-24 season — shattered Bayern Munich's stranglehold on German football that had lasted 11 consecutive years. Under Xabi Alonso, the previously trophy-starved club known as "Neverkusen" became a continental force.

India's ICC Champions Trophy victory in 2025 was considered an upset as they navigated a brutal draw that included Pakistan, Australia, and England. Rohit Sharma's men went unbeaten throughout the tournament, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 18 wickets — a tournament record — and Shubman Gill scoring a century in the final.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese's WNBA MVP victory in 2025 over heavily-favored Caitlin Clark was one of the league's most contested individual honours. Reese set a new WNBA rebounding record in the process, averaging 13.1 rebounds per game, while leading Chicago to their first playoffs appearance since 2021 against significantly lower expectations.

McLaren's Lando Norris clinching the 2025 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship was one of motorsport's most celebrated upsets, denying four-time champion Max Verstappen a fifth consecutive title. Norris's consistency through the second half of the season, combined with strategic calls that rescued seemingly lost positions, delivered Britain's first F1 champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020.

The Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX victory in February 2025 completed an unprecedented three consecutive Super Bowl wins, something no team had achieved in the modern NFL era. Patrick Mahomes defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 28-22, throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns to earn a third Super Bowl MVP and cement the Chiefs' dynasty status.

Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk's points victory in the rematch against Tyson Fury in 2025 cemented his status as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Fury, who had promised to retire after losing the first fight, was widely expected to reclaim the title with home-crowd support, making the unanimous decision victory a stunning result.

Newcastle United's first top-flight English title since 1927 shocked the football world in 2024-25, ending the Manchester City and Liverpool duopoly that had dominated the Premier League for over a decade. Backed by Saudi PIF investment and managed tactically astutely, the Magpies' title triumph was the decade's biggest domestic football shock.

American Coco Gauff's unexpected defence of her US Open title in 2025 at age 21 was considered a massive upset by seedings, as she dispatched both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek en route to the trophy. Her power baseline game and improved serve had transformed her from a promising young player into a dominant force within a single season.

Argentina's 3-0 demolition of Brazil in the 2025 Copa America final was Messi's most comprehensive international victory, with the hosts completely outclassed in front of their home support. Brazil's elimination by their fiercest rivals on their own soil prompted a crisis of confidence and coaching changes in the Selecao setup.

Bayer Leverkusen's back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2024-25 — including their historic unbeaten 2023-24 season — shattered Bayern Munich's stranglehold on German football that had lasted 11 consecutive years. Under Xabi Alonso, the previously trophy-starved club known as "Neverkusen" became a continental force.

India's ICC Champions Trophy victory in 2025 was considered an upset as they navigated a brutal draw that included Pakistan, Australia, and England. Rohit Sharma's men went unbeaten throughout the tournament, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 18 wickets — a tournament record — and Shubman Gill scoring a century in the final.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese's WNBA MVP victory in 2025 over heavily-favored Caitlin Clark was one of the league's most contested individual honours. Reese set a new WNBA rebounding record in the process, averaging 13.1 rebounds per game, while leading Chicago to their first playoffs appearance since 2021 against significantly lower expectations.

McLaren's Lando Norris clinching the 2025 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship was one of motorsport's most celebrated upsets, denying four-time champion Max Verstappen a fifth consecutive title. Norris's consistency through the second half of the season, combined with strategic calls that rescued seemingly lost positions, delivered Britain's first F1 champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020.

The Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX victory in February 2025 completed an unprecedented three consecutive Super Bowl wins, something no team had achieved in the modern NFL era. Patrick Mahomes defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 28-22, throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns to earn a third Super Bowl MVP and cement the Chiefs' dynasty status.