The 2025 ESPYS have recognized the year’s top athletes and unforgettable sports moments. Here’s a detailed look at the winners and highlights from the event.
2025 ESPYS: Full List of Winners Revealed!
The winners of the 2025 ESPYS have been announced!
The annual awards show, which recognizes major athletic achievements, relives unforgettable moments, honors leading athletes, and more, took place on Wednesday night (July 16) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Shane Gillis.
Following the event, Simone Biles, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Saquon Barkley were among the big winners.
During the event, Sloane Stephens was honored with the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, while Penn State University women’s volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Continue reading to find out more…
Major Award Winners
BEST ATHLETE – MEN’S SPORTS
Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder – WINNER
Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
BEST ATHLETE – WOMEN’S SPORTS
Simone Biles – Gymnast – WINNER
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone – Track & Field
Gabby Thomas – Track & Field
A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces
BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
Cooper Flagg – Duke Men’s Basketball
Chloe Humphrey – North Carolina Women’s Lacrosse
Ilona Maher – Rugby – WINNER
Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates
BEST RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE
Geno Auriemma – UConn Huskies
Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever
Kevin Durant – Olympic Basketball
Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – WINNER
BEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE
Simone Biles – 2024 Olympics Women’s All-Around – WINNER
Stephen Curry – US Men’s Olympic BB team
Freddie Freeman – LA Dodgers – World Series MVP
Rory McIlroy – Wins first Masters title, completing career Grand Slam
BEST COMEBACK ATHLETE
Gabe Landeskog – Colorado Avalanche
Suni Lee – Gymnast – WINNER
Mallory Swanson – USWNT/Chicago Red Stars
Lindsey Vonn – Skiing
BEST PLAY
Saquon Barkley’s backwards hurdle – NFL (11/3/24) – WINNER
Tyrese Haliburton Calls Game!!! – NBA Game 1 NBA Finals (6/5/25)
Sabrina Ionescu Logo 3 Game Winner – WNBA Finals Game 3
Trinity Rodman with the OT Goal to send USWNT to the semi-finals – 2024 Olympics
BEST TEAM
Florida Panthers – NHL
Los Angeles Dodgers – MLB
New York Liberty – WNBA
Ohio State Buckeyes – NCAA Football
Oklahoma City Thunder – NBA
Philadelphia Eagles – NFL – WINNER
North Carolina Tar Heels – NCAA Women’s Lacrosse
United States Women’s National Team – Soccer
University of Connecticut Huskies – Women’s Basketball
BEST COLLEGE ATHLETE – MEN’S SPORTS
Cooper Flagg – Duke Basketball – WINNER
Wyatt Hendrickson – Oklahoma State Wrestling
Travis Hunter – Colorado Football
CJ Kirst – Cornell Lacrosse
BEST COLLEGE ATHLETE – WOMEN’S SPORTS
Olivia Babcock – University of Pittsburgh Volleyball
Kate Faasse – North Carolina Soccer
Gretchen Walsh – Virginia Swimming
JuJu Watkins – USC Basketball – WINNER
See More ...
BEST ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY
Noah Elliott – Snowboard – WINNER
Ezra Frech – Track & Field
Tatyana McFadden – Track & Field
Grace Norman – Paratriathlete
BEST NFL PLAYER
Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles – WINNER
Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Surtain II – Denver Broncos
BEST MLB PLAYER
Freddie Freeman – Los Angeles Dodgers
Aaron Judge – New York Yankees
Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers – WINNER
Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers
BEST NHL PLAYER
Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers – WINNER
Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets
Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning
Cale Makar – Colorado Avalanche
BEST NBA PLAYER
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder – WINNER
Nikola Jokić – Denver Nuggets
Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics
BEST WNBA PLAYER
Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever – WINNER
Napheesa Collier – Minnesota Lynx
Breanna Stewart – New York Liberty
A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces
BEST DRIVER
Joey Logano – NASCAR
Álex Palou – IndyCar
Oscar Piastri – F1
Max Verstappen – F1 – WINNER
BEST UFC FIGHTER
Dricus Du Plessis
Merab Dvalishvili – WINNER
Kayla Harrison
Islam Makhachev
BEST BOXER
Naoya Inoue
Claressa Shields
Katie Taylor – WINNER
Oleksandr Usyk
BEST SOCCER PLAYER
Aitana Bonmatí – FC Barcelona/Spain
Christian Pulisic – AC Milan, US – WINNER
Alexia Putellas – FC Barcelona/Spain
Lamine Yamal – FC Barcelona/Spain
BEST GOLFER
Nelly Korda
Rory McIlroy
Scottie Scheffler – WINNER
Maja Stark
BEST TENNIS PLAYER
Carlos Alcaraz
Coco Gauff – WINNER
Aryna Sabalenka
Jannik Sinner
Congratulations to all the winners!
