2019 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2019 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 04 Jan Historic Performance by Indian Cricket Team in Sydney Test: Indian cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant delivered exceptional performances in the 4th Test against Australia. Pujara scored 193, while Pant made 159 not out and became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a century in Australia.
- 07 Jan India Wins Historic Cricket Series in Australia: Rain disrupted the last two days of the 4th cricket test in Sydney, but India still secured a historic 2-1 series victory, becoming the first Asian side to win a Test series in Australia.
- 22 Jan Baseball Hall of Fame 2019 Inductees: The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2019 inductees, with Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, and Mariano Rivera being elected. Rivera made history as the first player to be unanimously elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
- 26 Jan Baylor Defeats UConn in NCAA Basketball: In a significant sporting upset, Baylor defeated top-ranked Connecticut 68-57, ending Connecticut's remarkable NCAA-record regular-season winning streak of 126 games.
- 27 Jan Wayne Taylor Racing Wins 24 Hours of Daytona: The #10 Cadillac from Wayne Taylor Racing emerged victorious in the 2019 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race. The event was marked by heavy rain that halted the race for two hours. The winning team included drivers Fernando Alonso, Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi, and Renger van den Zande.
- 31 Jan Major NBA Trade Between Knicks and Mavericks: A blockbuster NBA trade occurred where the New York Knicks traded Kristaps Porziņģis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, and Trey Burke to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and two future first-round draft picks.
- 01 Feb Qatar Wins AFC Asian Cup: Qatar defeated Japan 3-1 to win their first continental championship in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, marking a significant sporting achievement.
- 03 Feb Super Bowl LIII: Patriots defeat Rams: On February 3, 2019, the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This victory marked the Patriots' sixth Super Bowl title, tying them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in NFL history. The game was notable for its defensive dominance, with the Patriots' defense allowing the fewest points in a Super Bowl. source: cnbc.com
- 09 Feb Alliance of American Football Inaugural Season Begins: The Alliance of American Football (AAF) launched its first season, marking the start of a new professional football league with two opening games.
- 10 Feb Alliance of American Football League Launches: The centrally owned Alliance of American Football began its inaugural season, with the Orlando Apollos defeating the Atlanta Legends 40-6 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
- 17 Feb Denny Hamlin Wins Daytona 500: Denny Hamlin secured victory at the 2019 Daytona 500, marking his second win at this prestigious NASCAR event, following his previous triumph in 2016.
- 18 Feb Laureus World Sports Awards: The prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards were held in Monaco, with Novak Đoković named Sportsman, Simone Biles named Sportswoman, and the French Men's National Football team winning Team of the Year.
- 23 Feb Sri Lanka Makes Cricket History in South Africa: Sri Lanka became the first Asian cricket team to clinch a Test series in South Africa, successfully chasing down 197 runs in the 2nd Test in Port Elizabeth. Kusal Mendis scored 84 not out, and Oshada Fernando contributed 75 not out.
- 25 Feb Caitlin Clark Sets High School Basketball Record: Basketball prodigy Caitlin Clark sets the Class 5A state tournament single-game scoring record with an impressive 42 points for Dowling Catholic High School.
- 03 Mar Roger Federer Wins 100th ATP Singles Title: Tennis legend Roger Federer made history by winning his 100th ATP singles title at the 2019 Dubai Tennis Championships. He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 in the final, becoming only the second male tennis player in the Open Era to achieve this remarkable milestone, following Jimmy Connors.
- 05 Mar UEFA Champions League: Ajax defeats Real Madrid: Ajax Amsterdam achieved a stunning victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, winning 4-1 in the second leg of their Round of 16 match. This result allowed Ajax to advance to the quarter-finals on aggregate, marking a significant upset in the tournament. source: bbc.com
- 06 Mar Manchester United Makes Historic UEFA Champions League Comeback: Manchester United achieved an unprecedented victory in the UEFA Champions League, beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in Paris and becoming the first team in European Cup history to overcome a 2-0 home deficit in a knockout tie.
- 17 Mar Wales Triumphs in Six Nations Rugby Championship: Wales secured a decisive victory against Ireland with a 25-7 win at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, clinching both the Six Nations Rugby Championship and the Grand Slam.
- 19 Mar Korea Joint FIFA World Cup Bid: North and South Korea express mutual interest in co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, signaling potential diplomatic cooperation through sports.
- 20 Mar Mike Trout's Record Contract: Mike Trout signs a historic 12-year, $430 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, setting a new record for the largest contract in Major League Baseball history.
- 21 Mar Ichiro Suzuki Retires: After a remarkable 28-year baseball career, legendary Japanese right fielder Ichiro Suzuki announced his retirement, concluding an extraordinary journey in both Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.
- 31 Mar MLB Player Birth: Elvis Luciano was born in 2000, who would later become the first player born in the 2000s to appear in Major League Baseball games, marking a generational milestone in professional sports.
- 02 Apr Alliance of American Football Collapses: Tom Dundon, principal shareholder of the Alliance of American Football, announces the immediate cessation of league operations before the completion of its inaugural season.
- 03 Apr Gregg Popovich Sets NBA Ejection Record: San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was ejected from an NBA game after just 63 seconds following a verbal confrontation with a referee, receiving two technical fouls during the team's 113-85 loss in Denver.
- 06 Apr 2019 NCAA Final Four Semifinals: In the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Virginia defeated Auburn 63-62, and Texas Tech defeated Michigan State 61-51.
- 07 Apr Baylor Wins NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: Baylor Lady Bears defeated Notre Dame 82-81 in the 38th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Point guard Chloe Jackson scored 26 points, leading her team to victory.
- 09 Apr First Game at Ebbets Field: In 1913, the first baseball game was played at Ebbets Field, the newly constructed home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0.
- 12 Apr Cameron Smith Rugby League Milestone: Melbourne captain Cameron Smith achieved a significant personal milestone by becoming the highest point scorer in Australian Rugby League history, scoring a 49th-minute penalty in a Storm victory over North Queensland, reaching 2,420 points.
- 13 Apr Gregg Popovich Breaks NBA Coaching Record: San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich surpassed Lenny Wilkens to become the most successful coach in NBA history, achieving his 1,413th win during a Western Conference Playoffs game against the Denver Nuggets.
- 14 Apr Tiger Woods wins his 5th Masters title: Tiger Woods secured his fifth Masters title at Augusta National Golf Club, marking a significant comeback after an 11-year major championship drought. He finished the tournament at 13 under par, edging out competitors Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka, who were tied for second place. This victory brought Woods closer to tying Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships. source: pgatour.com
- 15 Apr 123rd Boston Marathon Results: Lawrence Cherono of Kenya won the men's race with a time of 2:07:58, narrowly beating Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa by just 0.1 seconds. In the women's race, Worknesh Degefa of Ethiopia claimed victory with a time of 2:23:31.
- 16 Apr Russell Wilson Becomes Highest-Paid NFL Player: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson signed a groundbreaking 4-year, $140 million contract extension, which includes a record $65 million signing bonus, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
- 18 Apr Fatal Mountaineering Accident in Banff: Three renowned mountain climbers - Jess Roskelley, David Lama, and Hansjorg Auer - are believed to have died after an avalanche at Howse Peak in Canada's Banff National Park, marking a significant loss in the mountaineering community.
- 22 Apr Derrick Rose Wins NBA Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls was awarded the NBA's Rookie of the Year award, marking a significant milestone in his early professional basketball career.
- 26 Apr Tyreek Hill suspended by Kansas City Chiefs: On April 26, 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs announced the suspension of wide receiver Tyreek Hill following allegations of child abuse. The decision came amid an ongoing investigation into the allegations. source: espn.com
- 29 Apr Fatal Football Team Minibus Crash: A tragic minibus accident involving Turkish Süper Lig Alanyaspor football players near Alanya, Turkey resulted in the death of Czech Republic national team player Josef Šural, with several other players seriously injured.
- 01 May Caster Semenya Loses Testosterone Appeal: Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya lost her legal appeal against proposed rules limiting testosterone levels in female athletes. The ruling effectively mandated medical intervention to reduce testosterone as the only path to continue competitive running, sparking global debates about gender, biology, and sports regulations.
- 03 May NBA Playoffs Historic Quadruple Overtime Game: The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets in a record-breaking quadruple overtime playoff game, scoring 140-137. This was the first quadruple overtime playoff game since 1953, marking a significant moment in NBA playoff history.
- 04 May Inaugural W Series Race: The first all-female motorsport racing series takes place at Hockenheimring, with Jamie Chadwick winning the race and later becoming the inaugural season's champion source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 06 May Tiger Woods Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom: U.S. President Donald Trump honored golf legend Tiger Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his extraordinary achievements in professional golf and significant charitable contributions.
- 12 May Manchester City's Back-to-Back Premier League Victory: Manchester City clinched their second consecutive English Premier League title by defeating Brighton 4-1, finishing with 98 points, one point ahead of runners-up Liverpool.
- 17 May Brooks Koepka Sets Golf Major Record: Brooks Koepka achieved a remarkable performance at the PGA Championship at Bethpage State Park, firing a 65 (-5) to set a new record for the lowest 36-hole score in a golf major. His 7-stroke lead also established a new 36-hole tournament record.
- 18 May Manchester City's Historic FA Cup Victory: Manchester City F.C. wins the 2018-19 FA Cup by defeating Watford F.C. 6-0, becoming the first English club to win all three domestic championships in a single season.
- 19 May Brooks Koepka Wins PGA Championship: Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship at Bethpage State Park, defending his title by winning wire-to-wire and beating world #1 Dustin Johnson by 2 strokes.
- 21 May Golden State Warriors Reach NBA Finals: The Golden State Warriors qualified for the NBA Finals for the fifth consecutive year by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 120-117 in an overtime Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, further cementing their dynasty status in modern basketball.
- 25 May Toronto Raptors Reach NBA Finals: The Toronto Raptors made history by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in the team's franchise history.
- 26 May Simon Pagenaud Wins Indianapolis 500: French driver Simon Pagenaud, the 2016 IndyCar Series champion, won the 103rd Indianapolis 500, marking a significant achievement in motorsports.
- 30 May Toronto Raptors Make NBA Finals History: The Toronto Raptors hosted the first NBA finals game in franchise history against the Golden State Warriors, marking the first NBA playoff game outside the United States. The Raptors won 118-109.
- 31 May Controversial CAF Champions League Final: The 2019 CAF Champions League Final between Wydad Casablanca and Esperance Sportive de Tunis was dramatically abandoned after Wydad players refused to play following a disputed goal ruled out by VAR. Esperance was ultimately awarded the victory for their fourth CAF title.
- 01 Jun Historic Boxing Upset: Andy Ruiz Jr. defeated Anthony Joshua in the seventh round, becoming the IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champions. This victory was described as the greatest upset in heavyweight boxing history.
- 02 Jun Lee Jeong-eun Wins US Women's Open Golf Championship: Lee Jeong-eun of South Korea won her first major title at the US Women's Open Golf tournament held at the Charleston Country Club.
- 07 Jun 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Begins: The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup commenced with a surprising result as South Korea defeated France 4-0 in the opening match, setting an unexpected tone for the tournament.
- 08 Jun Sir Winston Wins 151st Belmont Stakes: Jockey Joel Rosario, a 2014 winner, rode Sir Winston to victory at the 151st Belmont Stakes, winning at 10-1 odds in an exciting horse racing event.
- 09 Jun Rafael Nadal Wins 12th French Open Title: On June 9, 2019, Rafael Nadal secured his 12th French Open title, defeating Dominic Thiem in the final, further solidifying his legacy in tennis history. source: tennis.com
- 11 Jun USA Sets World Cup Record in Women's Football: DUPE
- 12 Jun St. Louis Blues Win Stanley Cup: The St. Louis Blues defeat the Boston Bruins four games to three, clinching their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in a thrilling ice hockey series.
- 13 Jun Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship: The Toronto Raptors made history by defeating the Golden State Warriors 4-2 in the NBA Finals, becoming the first NBA team and first Canadian team to win the championship outside of the United States.
- 16 Jun Toyota Wins 24 Hours of Le Mans: Toyota Gazoo Racing secured victory in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance racing event, demonstrating the team's technological prowess and competitive spirit in international motorsports.
- 24 Jun Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo Selected for 2026 Winter Olympics: Italy was awarded the 2026 Winter Olympics, with the games to be hosted jointly by the cities of Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo, marking a significant moment for Italian sports and international winter sports competition.
- 27 Jun 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Highlight: Ellen White, England's most successful FIFA Women's World Cup goal scorer, scored the team's second goal during the quarterfinal victory against Norway.
- 29 Jun US Women's Soccer Team Advances in World Cup: The United States women's national soccer team defeated France 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup, continuing their dominant performance in the tournament.
- 06 Jul Jorge Masvidal Sets UFC Record: UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal set a remarkable record by defeating Ben Askren in just 5 seconds during their welterweight bout at UFC 239 in Las Vegas, Nevada, establishing the fastest knockout in UFC history.
- 07 Jul 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup final played: On July 7, 2019, the United States women's national soccer team defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the FIFA Women's World Cup final held in Lyon, France. This victory marked the U.S. team's fourth World Cup title.
- 10 Jul New Zealand Defeats India in Cricket World Cup Semi-Final: In the first semi-final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, New Zealand defeated India, advancing in the tournament.
- 11 Jul 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup final: On July 11, 2019, the United States defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the FIFA Women's World Cup final, securing their fourth title in the tournament's history. source: fifa.com
- 13 Jul Simona Halep Wins Wimbledon: In a stunning performance, Simona Halep defeated Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2 in the 2019 Wimbledon women's singles championship. This was Halep's first Wimbledon title and second Grand Slam singles victory, while Williams was attempting to match Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
- 19 Jul Algeria Wins 2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Algeria defeated Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations Final, securing their second continental championship and cementing their status as a football powerhouse.
- 20 Jul Pacquiao defeats Thurman in boxing match: Manny Pacquiao defeated Keith Thurman by split decision in a WBA welterweight title fight, becoming the oldest welterweight champion at 40 years old. source: bbc.com
- 21 Jul 2019 Open Championship: Shane Lowry from Ireland won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, securing a remarkable victory by six shots over Tommy Fleetwood of England, marking a historic moment in Irish golf.
- 25 Jul Historic MLB Moment: Position Player Records Save: Stevie Wilkerson of the Baltimore Orioles made baseball history by becoming the first position player to record a save in Major League Baseball, achieving this feat during a 10-8 victory against the Los Angeles Angels.
- 26 Jul Baseball Hall of Fame Induction: Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, commemorating their exceptional contributions to the sport, with the late Joe Gordon also being honored.
- 28 Jul Egan Bernal Wins Tour de France: 22-year-old Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal made history by becoming the first Colombian and Latin American rider to win the Tour de France. He won with a 1:11 lead over British rider Geraint Thomas, and is the youngest Tour winner since 1909.
- 15 Aug Dale Earnhardt Jr. Plane Crash Survival: On August 15, 2019, a Cessna Citation aircraft carrying NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., his wife, and infant daughter crashed during landing at Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Tennessee. Miraculously, all occupants survived without serious injuries, highlighting the importance of aircraft safety and emergency protocols.
- 16 Aug Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Family Survive Plane Crash: NASCAR racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family were reported safe after experiencing a plane crash in Tennessee, avoiding potential tragedy.
- 31 Aug Fatal Formula 2 Racing Accident at Spa-Francorchamps: A tragic racing incident occurred during a Formula 2 race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, resulting in the death of driver Anthoine Hubert and critically injuring Juan Manuel Correa. The accident shocked the motorsport community and raised discussions about racing safety.
- 01 Sep Justin Verlander Achieves Historic No-Hitter: Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander delivered a remarkable performance, striking out 14 batters and throwing his third career no-hitter in a dominant 2-0 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays. This achievement further solidified Verlander's status as one of baseball's most elite pitchers.
- 08 Sep Rafael Nadal Wins US Open: Rafael Nadal secured his 19th Grand Slam singles title and fourth US Open crown by defeating Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling five-set match with a final score of 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, further cementing his legacy in tennis history.
- 15 Sep Spain Wins FIBA Basketball World Cup: In a decisive performance on September 15, 2019, Spain secured its second FIBA Basketball World Cup title by defeating Argentina with a commanding score of 95–75. The victory solidified Spain's status as a powerhouse in international basketball and represented a significant achievement for the national team.
- 21 Sep Rafael Nadal Wins US Open: Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in an intense five-set match to win his 19th Grand Slam singles title and 4th US Open crown.
- 02 Oct Alyssa Healy sets T20I world record: Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy set a new world record for the highest individual score in women's T20I cricket, scoring an unbeaten 148 off 61 balls against Sri Lanka at North Sydney Oval. This performance led Australia to a 132-run victory, completing a 3-0 series sweep. source: skysports.com
- 12 Oct Eliud Kipchoge breaks two-hour marathon barrier: Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge made history by completing a marathon in under two hours during a special event in Vienna. His time of 1:59:40 was not recognized as an official world record due to the controlled conditions of the race. source: bbc.com
- 13 Oct Simone Biles becomes most decorated gymnast: Simone Biles achieved a historic milestone by becoming the most decorated gymnast in World Championship history. She secured her 25th medal during the competition, further solidifying her legacy in the sport. source: bbc.com
- 20 Oct Los Angeles Dodgers advance to World Series: On October 20, 2019, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured their place in the World Series by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. This marked the Dodgers' third consecutive trip to the World Series. source: espn.com
- 27 Oct Tiger Woods Ties PGA Tour Record: Tiger Woods won the inaugural Zozo Championship in Japan, securing his 82nd PGA Tour title and tying Sam Snead's all-time record.
- 30 Oct Washington Nationals clinch historic World Series victory: The Washington Nationals secured their first-ever World Series title by defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 7 on October 30, 2019. This victory marked the first time a team from Washington, D.C., won the World Series since 1924. source: washingtonpost.com
- 31 Oct NBA Player Suspension: Philadelphia 76ers player Joel Embiid was suspended for two games without pay following an on-court altercation with Karl-Anthony Towns, highlighting disciplinary measures in professional sports.
- 02 Nov South Africa Wins Rugby World Cup: South Africa secured their third Rugby World Cup title by defeating England 32-12, cementing their status as a rugby powerhouse and bringing national pride to the country.
- 10 Nov French Team Wins Federation Cup Women's Tennis: In a decisive match, French tennis players Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia defeated the Australian pair of Ash Barty and Samantha Stosur with a score of 6-4, 6-3, securing a 3-2 victory in the Federation Cup.
- 11 Nov Zeke Bratkowski, NFL Quarterback, Dies: Zeke Bratkowski, a notable American football quarterback, passed away at 88 due to a heart attack. He was a significant figure in professional football during his active years.
- 27 Nov Arena Football League Declares Bankruptcy: The Arena Football League announced its Chapter 7 bankruptcy and immediate cessation of operations, marking the end of the professional indoor football league.
- 30 Nov NFL Player Suspended for Gambling Violation: An NFL player was suspended for betting on football, reinforcing the league's strict policies against gambling and maintaining the integrity of professional sports competitions.
- 09 Dec World Anti-Doping Agency Bans Russia: The World Anti-Doping Agency imposed a four-year ban on Russia from participating in major international sporting events, including the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2022 FIFA World Cup, due to systematic doping violations.
- 14 Dec Joe Burrow wins Heisman Trophy: On December 14, 2019, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was awarded the Heisman Trophy, recognizing him as the best player in college football for that year. source: heisman.com
- 15 Dec Raiders play final game in Oakland: On December 15, 2019, the Oakland Raiders played their final scheduled game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, losing 20-16 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. source: abc7news.com
- 22 Dec Michael Thomas Sets NFL Single-Season Reception Record: In a remarkable performance during the 2019 NFL season, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas broke the long-standing record for most receptions in a single season. During a game against the Tennessee Titans, which the Saints won 38-28, Thomas secured his 144th catch, surpassing the previous record of 143 catches held by Marvin Harrison for 17 years. This achievement highlighted Thomas's exceptional skill, consistency, and importance to the Saints' offensive strategy.
- 28 Dec LSU dominates Oklahoma in 52nd Peach Bowl: On December 28, 2019, Louisiana State University (LSU) defeated the University of Oklahoma 63-28 in the 52nd Peach Bowl, securing their spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship. source: espn.com
- 30 Dec FIFA Ballon d'Or Awards: Lionel Messi wins his record 6th Ballon d'Or award, defeating Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. In the women's category, American midfielder Megan Rapinoe is named World Player of the Year, highlighting exceptional individual achievements in football.
What happened in 2019?
Discover what the world looked like in 2019: