The Most Memorable Moments for Women’s Sports in 2025

For years, women’s basketball players have been advocating for their rights through various avenues, like the creation of Unrivalled (a 3-on-3 basketball league) and speaking up about the need for proper facilities and officiating dilemmas. 

After the Minnesota Lynx suffered a defeat to the Phoenix Mercury in this year’s semi-finals, Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was expected to answer questions about their performance in a post-game press conference. 

But what Collier decided to do has become a defining moment in women’s basketball history. 

With flashing cameras and media personnel clinging to her every word, Collier gave a statement about the lack of accountability taken by WNBA leaders. She nods to superstars like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Caitlin Clark, who have drawn in so many people with their social media presence, but don’t get paid what they deserve. 

Earlier in the year, players sported t-shirts that read “Pay Us What You Owe Us” as they geared up to play in the 2025 WNBA All-Star game. Fans from every corner in Gainbridge Fieldhouse chanted “pay them, pay them,” sending a booming message to those in power.

Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league is here to stay! 

Former Canadian soccer player Diana Matheson aspired to create new opportunities for Canadian players to write their own professional stories at home. Thus began her journey of starting the Northern Super League (NSL). 

Throughout the season, the league’s six teams—AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapids, Montreal Roses, Halifax Tides, Calgary Wild, and Vancouver Rise—battled it out for the inaugural NSL championship. 

In front of thousands of people at BMO Field, AFC Toronto and Vancouver Rise were the final two left standing. 

AFC Toronto led the charge once the whistle blew, creating many chances—one of them leading to a goal from 17-year-old phenom Kaylee Hunter. 

But the Rise were relentless in their pursuit to capture the title. With a free kick and midfielder Holly Ward’s goal, the Rise lifted the Diana B. Matheson Cup in the air as the first-ever NSL winners.

The UConn Huskies are finally back on top after nine years. The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team had longed to see another banner hanging in their rafters. With 11 championships in their decorated trophy case, they finally got to add another one after a dominant run in the regular and postseason. 

Carrying their 37-3 record into the playoffs, the Huskies were the favourites to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title. Their star players, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, and rookie Sarah Strong were putting on a show every time they stepped foot on the court. 

After beating UCLA in a fierce semi-finals match, they were up to face the reigning champion South Carolina Gamecocks in the championship game. With 8.6 million people tuning in to watch the game, it was going to be a competitive fight until the very end. 

When the buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 82-59 in the Huskies’ favour, crowning them the champions and putting an end to their nine-year drought. 

Justine Siegal has collected many accomplishments as the first woman to coach an MLB team, but has taken her talents to a new era—one that will open the door for the next generation of women’s baseball players. 

The Women’s Professional Baseball (WPBL) team kicked things off with their inaugural draft on Nov. 20. Fans and family members watched virtually from the comfort of their homes as they prayed to hear their favourite player’s name being called. 

The four teams—Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and San Francisco—announced their picks. Some of the most notable players selected were USA Baseball’s Kelsie Whitmore and Japanese pitcher Ayami Sato. 

Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, will be the battleground for all the games for the upcoming season. The first official game will take place on Aug. 1, 2026, leaving spectators with plenty of time to get hyped for a new start in women’s baseball.

In an intense five-set thriller, Italy bested Türkiye in the 2025 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Women’s World Championship. 

After beating Brazil and Japan in the semi-finals the previous day, Italy and Türkiye found themselves at a crossroads for the final. 

This was a long-awaited showdown for both countries, with Türkiye in this position for the first time and Italy not claiming the championship title in over 20 years. 

The pendulum was swinging back and forth between the teams, but when it mattered most, Italy came out on top in the last set. But regardless, Türkiye accomplished an incredible victory in winning its first medal at the FIVB tournament.