Sport 2025: What are the big events to look out for?

2024 was a huge year for sport - with events such as the men's Euros, Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.

But with the start of 2025, that's all history now!

This year brings a whole new set of tournaments to look forward to, including the women's Euros, the Africa Cup of Nations and the women's Rugby World Cup.

Let's take a closer look at some of the biggest ones to look out for.

What's your favourite sport? Which tournament are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.

Euro 2025

The Lionesses won the last tournament in 2022 - their first European title

Euro 2025 will see teams from across the continent battling it out to be crowned champions of Europe. It takes place in Switzerland from 2-27 July.

There will be two home nations represented at the tournament - after England and Wales both qualified for the competition.

The Lionesses are defending champions and booked their place at Euro 2025 by finishing runners-up in their qualification group.

Wales made history by beating the Republic of Ireland in their play-off final match to reach their first major women's tournament.

Both teams have been drawn alongside France and the Netherlands - who England manager Sarina Wiegman led to victory at Euro 2017.

The Ashes

Australia are the current holders of the men's and women's Ashes

The Ashes series is one of the biggest cricket competitions in the world and one of the longest-running rivalries in sport between England and Australia.

Both the men's and women's Ashes will take place this year in Australia.

The women's tournament is up first, starting on 12 January, with England captain Heather Knight's side hoping to win the trophy for the first time since 2014.

They will play three one-day internationals, three T20 internationals as well as a four-day day-night Test match.

The five-match men's Ashes series starts later in the year, on 21 November.

In 2023, Australia retained the men's Ashes in England after the series finished in a 2-2 draw.

It's set to be a close and exciting men's series, with England chasing their first win on Australian soil for nearly 15 years.

However, you'll have to wait until the end of the fifth test, on 8 January 2026, to see who lifts the famous urn.

Women's Rugby World Cup

The Black Ferns have won six out of the last seven World Cups

England will host the Women's Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2010.

The tournament kicks off on 22 August 2025 and ends just over a month later, on 27 September.

Sunderland's Stadium of Light will host the opening game, while the final will take place at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.

New Zealand are the reigning champions, having beaten England's Red Roses in the final in 2022.

Could they go all the way again and win the trophy for the seventh time in 2025?

It won't be easy, as there are plenty of other teams hoping to get their hands on the trophy.

Hosts England are the number one team in the world and all four home nations have qualified for the tournament. It's all set for an exciting contest!

World Athletics Championships

800m Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson is set compete at the Championships in September

The World Athletics Championships will take place in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium in Japan from 13-21 September 2025.

The Championships are seen as one of the biggest sporting events, after the Olympics, for track and field stars.

More than 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries are expected to attend.

There'll be plenty of action including race walking, the high jump and the super speedy 100m.

Expect to see some of the world's top athletes including 800m Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and Olympic silver heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson hoping to top the podium.

Great Britain won 10 medals at the last World Athletic Championships to equal their best-ever medal haul. Could they do even better this time round?

Women's Cricket World Cup

Australia are the defending champions, having won the trophy in 2022

The women's Cricket World Cup in India is one of the main tournaments kicking off the autumn sporting season.

It'll be the fourth time that the South Asian country has hosted the event.

It will also be the last time that the tournament will have 8 teams - as it's due to be expanded in the future.

Matches are played as One Day Internationals (ODIs) over 50 overs per team.

Australia are the most successful nation in the history of the sport - having been crowned World Champions seven times.

It'll probably come as no surprise then that they are also the defending champions, having beaten England in the 2022 World Cup final.

Africa Cup of Nations

Mo Salah and André Onana are two of the Premier League stars set to play for their national teams

The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) gets under way in Morocco in December with some of the world's best players on show.

It's Africa's biggest sporting event with many Premier League players - including Liverpool striker Mo Salah and Manchester United's goalkeeper André Onana - set to play for their national teams.

The 2025 Afcon will begin on 21 December 2025 and run until 18 January 2026.

It'll be the first time that the tournament will be held over the Christmas and New Year period.

The past eight editions have provided seven different champions, with the Ivory Coast the only nation to have lift the trophy twice in the past 15 years.

Other big events

The World Para Swimming Championships take place in September

June sees the start of the new-look FIFA Club World Cup.

Thirty-two international teams, including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea, will head to the USA for the four-week club football competition.

The World Para Swimming Championships will take place in Singapore between 21-27 September and there'll be high hopes for Great Britain's athletes.

Swimming was Paralympics GB's most successful sport at the Paris Paralympic Games, with the team collecting at least one medal every day of the competition.

India will host the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time in 2025.

It's the world's largest single Para sport event and it'll be held in New Delhi from 26 September to 5 October.