2017 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2017 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 02 Jan Michael van Gerwen Wins PDC World Darts Championship: Dutch professional darts player Michael van Gerwen secured his second PDC World Darts Championship title by defeating defending champion Gary Anderson 7-3 at Alexandra Palace in London.
- 03 Jan Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club Liquidation: After years of financial difficulties, the English rugby league club Bradford Bulls entered liquidation, highlighting the financial challenges faced by professional sports teams.
- 09 Jan College Football National Championship: Clemson defeated Alabama 35–31 in a thrilling 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
- 10 Jan FIFA World Cup Expansion Approved: The FIFA Council unanimously approved expanding the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, starting in 2026, which will significantly change the tournament's format and global participation.
- 12 Jan San Diego Chargers Relocate to Los Angeles: The NFL's Chargers officially announced their relocation from San Diego to Los Angeles, planning to rename themselves and play at the StubHub Centre in Carson, California for the next two seasons.
- 14 Jan UConn Huskies Break Basketball Winning Streak Record: The UConn Huskies women's basketball team achieved a historic milestone by defeating SMU 88-48, marking their 91st consecutive win and breaking their own NCAA Division I basketball record.
- 25 Jan Usain Bolt loses Olympic relay gold medal due to teammate's doping: Usain Bolt was stripped of one of his nine Olympic gold medals after teammate Nesta Carter tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned stimulant, in re-analysis of samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The International Olympic Committee disqualified the Jamaican team from the men's 4x100m relay event, resulting in the withdrawal of corresponding medals. source: nbcsports.com
- 28 Jan Serena Williams Wins Australian Open: Serena Williams defeats her sister Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 to win the Australian Open women's singles title, securing her record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam singles title in the Open era.
- 29 Jan John Cena Ties WWE Championship Record: John Cena defeated AJ Styles to become a 16-time WWE Champion, equaling Ric Flair's legendary record for world championship reigns in professional wrestling.
- 05 Feb Super Bowl LI: Historic Overtime Victory: The New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in the first-ever Super Bowl to reach overtime. Tom Brady won his fourth MVP award, joining Charles Haley as the only players with five Super Bowl wins.
- 10 Feb Russian Athlete Banned for Doping: The Court of Arbitration for Sport bans Russian track and field athlete Mariya Savinova from sporting events for four years and strips her of her 2012 Olympic gold medal due to confirmed doping violations.
- 13 Feb Harrison Ford Near-Miss Incident: Actor Harrison Ford was involved in a near-miss aviation incident at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, highlighting ongoing concerns about his piloting skills.
- 18 Feb Iran Wins Wrestling World Cup: Iran defeated the United States in the freestyle wrestling World Cup, claiming the gold medal and reinforcing its strong international reputation in the sport.
- 19 Feb 2017 Asian Winter Games: The 2017 Asian Winter Games took place at Sapporo Dome, Japan, featuring over 2,000 athletes from multiple countries competing in various winter sports disciplines.
- 22 Feb 2024 Summer Olympics Bidding Narrows to Paris and Los Angeles: Budapest withdraws from the 2024 Summer Olympics bid, leaving Paris and Los Angeles as the final candidate cities to host the prestigious international sporting event.
- 23 Feb Alaska Aces Ice Hockey Team Disbands: After 28 seasons, the Alaska Aces ice hockey team announced the end of their ECHL participation, citing economic challenges and declining ticket sales in Alaska.
- 26 Feb Kurt Busch wins Daytona 500: On February 26, 2017, American racing driver Kurt Busch won the Daytona 500, one of NASCAR's most prestigious events. Busch's victory marked his first win in the Daytona 500 and added to his successful racing career. source: nascar.com
- 06 Mar Israel Wins Debut at World Baseball Classic: The 2017 World Baseball Classic commenced at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. In a surprising upset, tournament debutant Israel defeated South Korea 2-1 in extra innings.
- 08 Mar FC Barcelona's Historic UEFA Champions League Comeback: In an unprecedented sporting achievement, FC Barcelona became the first football team to overturn a 4-0 first-leg deficit in the UEFA Champions League, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 and reaching the quarter-finals for the 10th consecutive season.
- 11 Mar England Wins Six Nations Championship: England defeated Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham Stadium, retaining the Six Nations Championship title and equaling New Zealand's record of consecutive test wins.
- 12 Mar 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Field Announced: The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament field of 68 teams was revealed, with Villanova as the defending national champion and overall top seed. Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Kansas were also named #1 seeds.
- 13 Mar French Rugby Clubs Announce Merger: Racing 92 in Paris and Stade Francais announced plans to merge for the 2017-18 rugby union season.
- 19 Mar French Rugby Teams Reject Merger: Racing 92 and Stade Francais, two prominent French rugby teams, announced they would not merge after facing significant public opposition.
- 22 Mar USA Wins 2017 World Baseball Classic: The United States defeated Puerto Rico 8-0 to win its first World Baseball Classic title. Marcus Stroman of the Toronto Blue Jays was named tournament MVP after throwing six scoreless innings.
- 26 Mar 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four: In the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, South Carolina made their first-ever Final Four appearance by defeating Florida 77-70 in the East Region in New York City. In the South Region, North Carolina beat Kentucky 75-73, advancing to their 20th Final Four.
- 31 Mar Historic women's basketball upset: On March 31, 2017, the University of South Carolina women's basketball team achieved a historic upset by defeating the University of Connecticut in the NCAA tournament. This victory marked a significant moment in women's sports. source: nytimes.com
- 01 Apr Gonzaga Reaches NCAA Basketball Championship: In the 2017 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, Gonzaga defeated South Carolina 77-73, securing their place in the championship game. In the other semifinal, North Carolina narrowly beat Oregon 77-76.
- 02 Apr NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: DUPE
- 03 Apr NCAA Basketball Championship: North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65 to win the 2017 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, securing a thrilling victory in a closely contested game.
- 06 Apr Sergio García Wins 2017 Masters Tournament: Spanish golfer Sergio García claimed victory at the prestigious 2017 Masters Tournament, marking a significant achievement in his professional golf career.
- 08 Apr Scottish Triumph at Grand National: Derek Fox won the 170th Grand National horse race aboard One For Arthur, becoming only the second Scottish-trained horse to win this prestigious event.
- 09 Apr Sergio Garcia Wins First Major at Masters Tournament: Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia achieved a significant milestone by winning his first major championship at the 2017 U.S. Masters Tournament. He defeated Justin Rose of England in a dramatic sudden-death playoff, marking a career-defining moment after 74 previous major tournament attempts.
- 16 Apr SKA St. Petersburg Wins Gagarin Cup: SKA St. Petersburg won the Kontinental Hockey League championship by defeating Metallurg Magnitogorsk 5-3 in Game 5, clinching the series 4-1.
- 19 Apr Serena Williams Pregnancy Confirmed: A spokeswoman for tennis champion Serena Williams confirms her pregnancy. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion is expected to give birth in September and will not return to professional tennis until 2018.
- 27 Apr Cleveland Browns Select Myles Garrett in NFL Draft: In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett, a defensive end from Texas A&M, as their first overall pick.
- 30 Apr Swiss Mountaineer Ueli Steck Dies: Renowned Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck tragically lost his life in a mountaineering accident near Mount Everest, marking a significant loss for the alpine climbing community.
- 01 May Mark Selby Retains World Snooker Championship: English snooker player Mark Selby successfully defended his World Snooker Championship title by defeating John Higgins of Scotland 18-15 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
- 06 May Canelo Alvarez Defeats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: In a high-profile boxing match, Canelo Alvarez defeated fellow Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision. All three judges scored every round in Alvarez's favor.
- 07 May Sydney FC Wins A-League Grand Final: In a thrilling A-League Grand Final, Sydney FC defeated Melbourne Victory 4-2 after an intense penalty shootout, claiming the championship in Australian association football.
- 12 May Chelsea Wins 2016-17 Premier League: Chelsea Football Club clinched the 2016-17 Premier League title after defeating West Bromwich Albion, securing their fifth Premier League championship in the club's history.
- 13 May NASCAR Driver Aric Almirola Injured: During the Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway, NASCAR driver Aric Almirola was involved in a collision and airlifted to a local hospital with undisclosed injuries.
- 21 May Enes Kanter returns to United States: NBA player Enes Kanter returned to the United States after a trip to Turkey, where he faced threats due to his outspoken criticism of the Turkish government. His return was marked by concerns for his safety and the implications of his activism. source: nytimes.com
- 24 May Manchester United Wins UEFA Europa League: Manchester United defeated Ajax 2-0 in Solna, Sweden, winning the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
- 27 May Celtic Wins Scottish Cup: Celtic defeats Aberdeen 2-1 to win the 2017 Scottish Cup, achieving their fourth consecutive Triple (treble) in Scottish football.
- 28 May Takuma Sato Wins Indianapolis 500: Japanese driver Takuma Sato made history by becoming the first Japanese and Asian driver to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race. During the event, double world champion Fernando Alonso was forced to retire due to an engine issue in his first entry. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 29 May Huddersfield Town Wins EFL Championship Play-off Final: Huddersfield Town secured promotion to the 2017-18 Premier League by winning the EFL Championship Play-off Final, defeating Reading 4-3 on penalties after a tense 0-0 draw.
- 03 Jun Alex Honnold's historic El Capitan free solo climb: Rock climber Alex Honnold completed a free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, marking the first time anyone has climbed the 3,000-foot granite wall without ropes or protection.
- 10 Jun Jelena Ostapenko Wins French Open: Latvian tennis player Jelena Ostapenko made history by defeating Simona Halep in the French Open Women's Singles final. Her victory was remarkable as she became the first unseeded player to win the French Open since 1983 and the first Latvian to win a Grand Slam tournament.
- 11 Jun 2017 Stanley Cup Finals: The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup Finals by defeating the Nashville Predators 4-2, securing their fifth overall championship and their second consecutive title.
- 12 Jun Iran Qualifies for 2018 FIFA World Cup: Iran became the second country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in association football, securing their spot after defeating Uzbekistan.
- 18 Jun Pakistan Wins ICC Champions Trophy: Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament, securing their first title in this competition.
- 22 Jun Markelle Fultz selected first overall in 2017 NBA Draft: The Philadelphia 76ers selected Markelle Fultz as the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, marking a significant moment in the league's annual event. source: nba.com
- 23 Jun NHL Draft: Nico Hischier Selected First: Swiss ice hockey player Nico Hischier was selected as the first overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, marking a significant moment in his professional career.
- 25 Jun Spain Wins EuroBasket Women 2017: In a decisive basketball match, Spain defeated France 71-55 to win the EuroBasket Women 2017 championship.
- 26 Jun Emirates Team New Zealand Wins America's Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand decisively won the 35th America's Cup, defeating Oracle Team USA with a commanding 7-1 victory in the prestigious international sailing competition.
- 28 Jun NCAA Division I Conference Realignment: The Horizon League announced that IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) will join the conference on July 1st. The Jaguars will transition from the Summit League and are also set to join the Missouri Valley Conference.
- 02 Jul Germany Wins FIFA Confederations Cup: Germany defeated Chile 1-0 in the final of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, securing their first title at the Krestovsky Stadium.
- 09 Jul Wayne Rooney Leaves Manchester United: English football legend Wayne Rooney announced his departure from Manchester United after 13 years, deciding to return to his original club, Everton, marking the end of an era for the iconic player.
- 11 Jul 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games Awarded: The International Olympic Committee planned to award the 2024 Olympic Games to Paris and the 2028 Games to Los Angeles, with support from US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
- 15 Jul Garbiñe Muguruza Wins Wimbledon: Spanish tennis player Garbiñe Muguruza secured her second Grand Slam title by defeating Venus Williams in the Wimbledon women's singles final with a decisive 7-5, 6-0 victory.
- 17 Jul Roger Federer Wins Record Eighth Wimbledon Title: Tennis legend Roger Federer achieved a historic milestone by winning his eighth Wimbledon singles title, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
- 22 Jul Historic Golf Record at The Open Championship: South African golfer Branden Grace made history by shooting a 62 in the third round at Royal Birkdale, becoming the first player to record such a score in a major men's golf championship.
- 23 Jul Chris Froome wins fourth Tour de France title: British cyclist Chris Froome secured his fourth Tour de France victory, finishing 54 seconds ahead of Colombian Rigoberto Urán. This win marked Froome's third consecutive Tour title and placed him one victory behind the record held by Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. source: euronews.com
- 31 Jul Los Angeles and Paris Secure Olympic Games: Los Angeles and Paris have reportedly reached agreements to host the 2028 and 2024 Summer Olympic Games, respectively. The final confirmation is expected during the 131st IOC Sessions in Lima, Peru, in September.
- 01 Aug South African Teams Join Pro14 Rugby Competition: Celtic Rugby Limited announced the addition of two South African Super Rugby teams, the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings, to the newly-renamed Pro14 rugby competition for the 2017-18 season, expanding the tournament's international scope.
- 03 Aug Neymar's Record-Breaking Transfer to Paris Saint-Germain: Paris Saint-Germain signed Brazilian footballer Neymar from FC Barcelona for a record-breaking transfer fee of €222 million (US$264 million), marking the most expensive transfer in football history at that time.
- 05 Aug Canterbury Crusaders Win Super Rugby Final: The Canterbury Crusaders from New Zealand defeat the Lions 25-17 in Johannesburg, securing their record 8th Super Rugby title.
- 06 Aug Netherlands wins UEFA Women's Euro 2017: On August 6, 2017, the Netherlands won the UEFA Women's Euro 2017, defeating Denmark 4-2 in the final. This victory marked the Netherlands' first major international tournament win in women's football.
- 08 Aug PGA Championship Schedule Change: The PGA of America and PGA Tour jointly announced significant changes to tournament scheduling, moving the PGA Championship from August to May starting in 2019, and shifting The Players Championship from May to February.
- 13 Aug Justin Thomas Wins PGA Championship: American golfer Justin Thomas secured his first major championship title at the 2017 PGA Championship, marking a significant milestone in his professional golf career.
- 27 Aug Floyd Mayweather Jr. Breaks Undefeated Record: In a historic boxing match, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Conor McGregor in the 10th round via technical knockout, bringing his record to an unprecedented 50-0 and breaking Rocky Marciano's 61-year-old record.
- 03 Sep Adam Ondra's Climbing Achievement: Adam Ondra climbed 'Silence' in Norway, completing the world's first-ever 9c (5.15d) climbing route, a remarkable feat in rock climbing.
- 05 Sep Houston Rockets Sold for $2.2 Billion: Billionaire investor Tilman Fertitta purchased the Houston Rockets NBA basketball franchise for US$2.2 billion, marking a significant transaction in professional sports.
- 09 Sep 2017 US Open Tennis: Sloane Stephens Wins: American tennis player Sloane Stephens won the women's singles final at the 2017 US Open, defeating Madison Keys with a decisive score of 6-3, 6-0.
- 10 Sep Rafael Nadal Wins US Open Men's Singles: Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal secured his 16th Grand Slam title by defeating South African Kevin Anderson 6-3, 3-1, 6-4 in the US Open men's singles final at Flushing Meadows Park, New York City. This was Nadal's second Grand Slam title of the year.
- 14 Sep Cleveland Indians Break MLB Winning Streak Record: The Cleveland Indians set a new Major League Baseball record by achieving 22 consecutive wins, surpassing the previous record of 21 wins held by the 1935 Chicago Cubs.
- 16 Sep New Zealand All Blacks Historic Rugby Victory: New Zealand All Blacks rugby union team delivers a historic 57-0 victory against South Africa in the Rugby Championship round in Albany, New Zealand, marking the Springboks' largest test match defeat.
- 17 Sep Slovenia Wins EuroBasket: Slovenia won the EuroBasket basketball tournament for the first time in history, defeating Serbia 93-85 in the final match.
- 30 Sep Crowd Surge Incident at Amiens Soccer Match: During a soccer match at Stade de la Licorne in Amiens, France, a dangerous crowd surge occurred, causing a barrier to collapse. The incident resulted in 29 people being injured, with five sustaining serious injuries, highlighting the importance of crowd management and stadium safety.
- 09 Oct Iceland Qualifies for 2018 FIFA World Cup: Iceland made history by qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after defeating Kosovo 2-0. This achievement was particularly remarkable as Iceland became the smallest country by population ever to qualify for the tournament, highlighting the nation's remarkable sporting achievement.
- 10 Oct US Men's Soccer World Cup Elimination: The United States men's national soccer team suffers a shocking 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago, resulting in their elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup - the first time the US has missed a World Cup tournament since 1986.
- 13 Oct U.S. Soccer World Cup Qualification Failure: Bruce Arena resigned as manager of the U.S. men's national soccer team after failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time since 1986 that the United States would not participate in the tournament.
- 19 Oct Los Angeles Dodgers Advance to World Series: In the 2017 Major League Baseball postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs 11-1 in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, securing a 4-1 series lead and marking their first World Series appearance since 1988.
- 24 Oct Iditarod Dog Doping Scandal: Officials of the Iditarod, the famous Alaskan dog sled race, confirmed a doping scandal after dogs tested positive for a banned substance.
- 29 Oct Lewis Hamilton wins fourth F1 world championship: Lewis Hamilton secured his fourth Formula One World Championship title on October 29, 2017, at the Mexican Grand Prix. This victory solidified his status as one of the sport's all-time greats, following a season marked by impressive performances. source: bbc.com
- 01 Nov Houston Astros Win First World Series: The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 to win their first World Series title. George Springer was named MVP after breaking records for extra-base hits and total bases in a single World Series.
- 02 Nov Houston Astros Win First World Series: The Houston Astros clinched their first World Series title by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a thrilling Game 7, marking a historic moment for the franchise.
- 03 Nov Breeders' Cup Horse Racing Day 1 Results: Day 1 of the Breeders' Cup Horse Racing featured winners Rushing Fall, Battle of Midway, Mendelssohn, and Forever Unbridled.
- 04 Nov Celtic Sets British Football Record: Scottish champions Celtic set a new all-time British record by remaining undefeated in 63 consecutive domestic football matches, defeating St. Johnstone 4-0 at McDiarmid Park.
- 11 Nov Ellyse Perry Sets Women's Cricket Record: Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry achieved a historic milestone by scoring 213 not out in a Women's Test match, establishing the highest individual score ever for an Australian woman in Test cricket.
- 12 Nov US Wins Federation Cup Tennis: The American tennis pair of Shelby Rogers and Coco Vandeweghe clinched the Federation Cup by defeating Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka and Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-3, 7-6, securing the United States' record-extending 18th title.
- 13 Nov Italy Fails to Qualify for 2018 FIFA World Cup: Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after being defeated in the UEFA Second Round by Sweden, marking the first time since 1958 that the national team did not make the tournament.
- 19 Nov Martin Truex Jr. Wins NASCAR Cup Series: Martin Truex Jr. secured his first NASCAR Cup Series title at the 2017 Ford EcoBoost 400. The race also marked the end of full-time careers for notable drivers Danica Patrick, Matt Kenseth, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 20 Nov Georgia Dome Demolition: After 25 years of service, the iconic Georgia Dome, former home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and host of the NCAA's Peach Bowl, was demolished, marking the end of an era for Atlanta's sports infrastructure.
- 05 Dec Russia banned from 2018 Winter Olympics for doping: On December 5, 2017, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the Russian Olympic Committee from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, due to state-sponsored doping. Russian athletes with clean records were allowed to compete under a neutral flag as 'Olympic Athletes from Russia.' source: time.com
- 09 Dec Toronto Wins First MLS Cup: Toronto FC wins their first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup, defeating Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the final and becoming the first MLS team to achieve the domestic treble.
- 10 Dec Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees: Jack Morris and Alan Trammell were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Modern Baseball Era Committee. They will be officially inducted alongside potential future inductees selected by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
- 16 Dec Real Madrid wins FIFA Club World Cup: On December 16, 2017, Real Madrid secured their third consecutive FIFA Club World Cup title by defeating Gremio 1-0 in the final. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal, further solidifying Real Madrid's dominance in international club football. source: bbc.com
- 17 Dec World Record in Solo Sailing: French sailor Francois Gabart set a new world record by circumnavigating the globe solo in his trimaran Macif in just 42 days and 16 hours, breaking the previous record held by Thomas Coville by six days.
- 19 Dec College basketball coach reaches milestone: A notable college basketball coach achieved a significant career milestone, marking a key moment in the sport's history. This achievement highlights the coach's long-standing contributions to college basketball and their impact on players and teams. source: espn.com
- 23 Dec Barcelona Wins El Clasico: FC Barcelona achieved a record-breaking victory against Real Madrid in El Clasico, establishing a 14-point lead at the top of La Liga and demonstrating their dominance in Spanish football.
What happened in 2017?
Discover what the world looked like in 2017: