After years—sometimes decades—of waiting, heartbreak, and near-misses, 2025 emerged as a watershed year in world sport, as several iconic teams finally laid their long-standing title droughts to rest. From cricket and football to global club competitions, the year delivered moments of redemption that reshaped legacies and rewrote history books.
Here’s a look at five teams that turned pain into triumph in 2025, ending agonising waits for silverware and delivering unforgettable moments to their fans.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru win maiden IPL title
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their long and painful wait for IPL glory in 2025, lifting their first-ever Indian Premier League title in what will go down as the most defining season in the franchise’s history.
After years of playoff heartbreaks, last-over defeats, and near-misses despite boasting some of the biggest names in world cricket, RCB put together a complete and composed campaign. Marked by consistency, resilience, and calm under pressure in crunch moments, the 2025 triumph allowed the Bengaluru franchise to finally silence critics and reward one of the IPL’s most loyal fan bases.
Tottenham Hotspur win first European trophy in 41 years
Tottenham Hotspur brought an emotional end to one of football’s longest trophy droughts in 2025 by lifting their first European title in 41 years. The victory carried immense significance for a club that had so often flirted with success without crossing the finish line.
Spurs last tasted continental glory in 1984, and the decades that followed were filled with rebuilds, false dawns, and painful near-misses. The 2025 triumph was not just a trophy—it was redemption for generations of fans who had waited a lifetime to see their club conquer Europe again.
Crystal Palace win maiden FA Cup title
Crystal Palace etched their name into English football history in 2025 by winning their first-ever FA Cup, securing the most prestigious honour in the club’s existence.
After falling short in previous finals and spending decades as a competitive yet often overlooked Premier League side, Palace finally seized its moment on the grandest domestic cup stage. The victory marked a defining chapter for the South London club, transforming them from perennial underdogs into FA Cup champions.
South Africa win maiden World Test Championship
South Africa finally shook off decades of disappointment in 2025 by winning their first World Test Championship, ending one of international cricket’s most enduring title droughts.
Long branded as “chokers” despite fielding some of the greatest Test teams and players across eras, the Proteas had repeatedly fallen at the final hurdle in ICC tournaments. The WTC triumph not only delivered long-awaited silverware but also redefined South Africa’s legacy in the longest format of the game.
Paris Saint-Germain win maiden Champions League title
Paris Saint-Germain completed their long pursuit of European supremacy in 2025 by lifting their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
Despite years of domestic dominance and unprecedented investment, PSG had endured repeated heartbreaks on Europe’s biggest stage, often falling short at decisive moments. The 2025 victory finally crowned the Parisian club as champions of Europe, ending their continental frustration and cementing their place among football’s elite.
