Sharp shooters: the best sports photos of 2025 and the stories behind them

We’ve received much than 500,000 sports photographs successful nan past year, pinch immoderate absolute belters among them. Here are immoderate of nan fleeting moments, chaotic celebrations and imaginative compositions that caught our eyes – accompanied by explanations and method info from nan photographers themselves.

Chloe Kelly celebrates by Florencia Tan Jun (1/200th sec, f/2.8, ISO 2500)

“As a photographer, a punishment shootout successful a last feels wholly different from a punishment during regular play. I get nervous, particularly because nan players’ reactions and celebrations are truthful overmuch much intense, and I still person to make split-second decisions erstwhile everything happens astatine once. After Chloe Kelly scored nan deciding punishment for England, I could spot that she was going to observe successful nan other guidance from me, truthful I started to attraction connected nan reactions happening nearer to me. Suddenly I saw her transverse over, truthful I instantly changed attraction and caught her celebrating pinch her teammates down her. I for illustration this photograph because it captures nan purest, astir unpremeditated and historical guidance successful women’s football. It shows happiness astatine 100km/h.”

Steeplechase autumn by Emilee Chinn (400mm, 1/3200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2000)

“In this frame, steeplechaser Geordie Beamish is shown going down aft getting caught successful nan congestion of nan early laps. Along pinch capturing nan divided 2nd of different runner’s ft connecting pinch his face, what makes this image truthful powerful and moving to maine is that he sewage up, placed 2nd successful his heat, and went connected to return nan golden medal. Moments for illustration this are what make sports photography truthful rewarding and they punctual america really resilience tin move a setback into thing remarkable.”

Ashes misery by Robbie Stephenson (600mm, 1/3200th sec, f/4, ISO 600)

“From an creator constituent of view, I for illustration nan irony successful this image. The Toyota advert [seen down Ben Stokes] is shown connected nan show screens aft each wicket, truthful location person been galore opportunities to seizure subordinate reactions successful beforehand of it. However, present it’s a fitting measurement to narrate Stokes’ deflated assemblage connection and it reflects nan wide temper successful nan England camp. Capturing nan motion successful nan inheritance was fortuitous – I was hoping to get England players celebrating aft taking wickets, erstwhile it flashed up unexpectedly connected a different advertizing board.”

Superhuman by Dean Moutharopoulos (24mm, 1/400th sec, f/1.4, ISO 1250)

“Although he’s not successful action, this image of javelin thrower Guillermo Varona displays his strength, attraction and determination. From a region I had noticed his warm-up mentation – leaping and clicking his heels anterior to his propulsion – and I knew I had to seizure it. Using a wide perspective lens to show nan stadium, I laic down against nan fence, doing my champion not to disturb him, and waited for his jump. After his throw, I looked astatine nan changeable [and saw] nan agleam reddish of his azygous against nan achromatic sky, nan silhouette of his floating assemblage and nan javelin gripped tightly successful 1 manus – I knew consecutive distant I had 1 of my favourite photos of nan year.”

Formula One by Jakub Porzycki (15-35mm, 1/10th sec, f/22, ISO 100)

“When I photograph a Formula One race, I effort to usage nan clip betwixt nan ‘must have’ photos – nan commencement of nan title and nan podium ceremonial astatine nan extremity – to look for much imaginative frames. At Imola, I had already visited nan Ayrton Senna memorial and saw it filled pinch nationalist flags, flowers and mementos. I noticed nan passing cars were somewhat visible betwixt these objects, truthful I decided to usage this colourful surrounding to framework a agelong exposure. Freezing nan mobility of a fast-moving car pinch a slow shutter velocity isn’t easy (you must cookware nan camera astatine precisely nan correct speed), truthful I took galore photos and chose nan best. This photograph shows Lando Norris, who later became nan caller F1 world champion.”

Trafalgar Square by Lee Smith (16mm, 1/4000th sec, f/4, ISO400)

“As a Sunderland instrumentality calved and raised, this image was a labour of love. I’d travelled down to London nan time earlier nan Championship play-off final, specifically to screen nan accepted ‘pilgrimage’ to Trafalgar Square by Mackems erstwhile their squad plays astatine Wembley. Huge numbers were successful attendance. It was a peaceful, good-humoured, wide ceremony that lasted agelong into nan evening. This photograph was taken arsenic nan sun was going down behind nan National Gallery. Sunderland fans were playing head-tennis successful nan fountains and splashing water. Many held aloft reddish fume flares, adding ambiance, melodramatic ray and colour each astir nan iconic landmark. The scenes that time will past pinch maine for a lifetime. What made it moreover much typical is that we won nan playoff last nan pursuing day.”

High diving by Marko Djurica (16mm, 1/1600th sec, f/22, ISO 800)

“This photograph was taken astatine nan World Aquatics Championships successful Singapore during nan men’s high-dive competition. It shows Switzerland’s Jean-David Duval plunging from nan 27m level into a mini information excavation below. The excavation measures conscionable six metres heavy and 17 metres crossed – dimensions that consciousness moreover much intimidating erstwhile viewed from nan apical of nan platform. For nan first time, Reuters was granted a photograph position wrong nan excavation and I had nan opportunity to sprout from there. Positioned connected nan very separator for safety, I spent astir 4 hours successful nan h2o wearing a wetsuit and fins, holding an underwater lodging containing a Canon R3 camera pinch a 16mm lens. Some h2o splashed complete nan camera’s solid dome arsenic I lowered it into excavation to seizure a half-and-half changeable of Duval’s dive. The effect was unplanned and it’s 1 I uncertainty I could replicate successful nan aforesaid way.”

Red Rose by Ryan Pierse (double exposure)

“This image of nan England superstar Ellie Kildunne is nan consequence of an in-camera sequential aggregate exposure. First, I took a azygous image of nan iconic Red Rose logo. The very adjacent framework – without being capable to spot nan erstwhile image of nan roseate – I had to seizure an image of Ellie arsenic centrally arsenic imaginable to statement up pinch nan rose. The camera past blends nan 2 exposures together. This method tin beryllium debased percent connected hit-rate, but erstwhile it each comes together you tin nutrient a very striking image.”

Silhouetted surfer by Adam Pretty (200m, 1/320th sec, f/4, ISO 100)

“I took this image – early successful nan greeting earlier nan sun was up – astatine nan comparatively caller Surftown activity excavation successful Munich. Six elite French Polynesian surfers were holding backstage training sessions to practise circumstantial manoeuvres and aerials connected nan perfectly accordant man-made wave. Aelan Vaast was performing a layback hack connected nan last conception of nan wave. I utilized a flash to create this silhouette of her against nan agleam bluish h2o of nan excavation and to seizure nan spray she was throwing pinch her monolithic turn.”

Muddy cyclist by Billy Ceusters (300mm, 1/1600th sec, f/2.8, ISO1600)

“Dendermonde is 1 of those races where, erstwhile there’s mud, there’s mud. It’s really successful nan mediate of nan fields and getting astir connected nan people is very difficult. I was astatine nan decorativeness statement waiting for Wout van Aert to transverse erstwhile I captured this image. He is covered successful dirt, exhausted but besides happy pinch his victory. It’s a photograph that represents each nan values that I emotion successful this sport: suffering, self-sacrifice and achieving your goals.”

Ryder Cup delight by Maddie Meyer (15mm, 1/2000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000)

“In master sports location is often specified a region betwixt fans and athletes. It tin consciousness sterile and, arsenic a photographer, it tin beryllium difficult to bring them into 1 frame. Here, Rory ran to nan adoring Europe fans aft his squad defeated nan United States successful nan Ryder Cup successful New York. He appeared to afloat springiness successful to nan moment, allowing nan fans to clasp him complete nan barricade. It tin beryllium challenging to make a well-composed image successful a chaotic scene, but I for illustration this image and deliberation it tells nan communicative of Europe’s triumph connected distant territory.”

Smoke explosive by Thibaud Moritz (35mm, 1/400th sec, f/3.5, ISO 3200)

“I for illustration this image because there’s thing earthy and almost schematic astir it. I changeable it astatine nan Parc des Princes successful Paris, wherever PSG had group up elephantine screens connected nan transportation to broadcast their Champions League last against Inter. The ambiance was electrical passim nan night. I positioned myself astatine nan ft of nan ultras’ stand, which is usually nan astir visually expressive. This photograph was taken astatine nan infinitesimal of PSG’s 2nd goal, erstwhile nan guidelines erupted. Black fume flares are highly uncommon successful a shot stadium. Unlike reddish flares, which still uncover silhouettes, achromatic fume swallows everything very quickly. I chose to attraction connected nan strength of a fewer supporters celebrating nan goal, but nan beingness of a protagonist lifting a scarf pinch nan PSG logo added clarity and discourse to nan scene.”

Blurry badminton by Shi Tang (85mm, 1/5th sec, f/6.3, ISO 50)

“This images captures badminton subordinate Tomoka Miyazaki successful mid-motion. She is rendered pinch a long-exposure effect which transforms her activity into flowing streaks of reddish light. The blurred trails emphasise nan powerfulness and fluidity of nan action, while nan sharpness of her focused look adds opposition and intensity. Set against a acheronian background, nan vibrant colours and sweeping mobility create an almost abstract, dance-like composition.”

Bike flip by Hannah Peters (99mm, 1/3200th sec, f/22, ISO 640)

“I’d been looking guardant to nan Crankworx slope-style arena because it often makes bully pictures, but I was disappointed erstwhile I group disconnected early that greeting to spot clouds and nary light. The sun abruptly collapsed done for astir 5 minutes and only 2 riders made their runs. It was a spot of bully luck that Tim Bringer managed to propulsion disconnected a beautiful awesome instrumentality conscionable successful time.”

Slam dunk by Fernando Medina (60mm, 1/250th sec, f/6.3, ISO 160, pinch a strobe)

“In today’s NBA, location are truthful galore athletically talented players that tin jump retired of nan building, you ever person to beryllium fresh for an opportunity for illustration this. NBA squad photographers for illustration myself sprout pinch strobes located precocious connected nan catwalk supra nan court, and they return 2 to 3 seconds to recharge, truthful we can’t sprout a burst and past prime retired nan champion photo. You person to hold for that 1 infinitesimal to return nan photo. Here, I was fortunate to property nan fastener astatine nan correct time! I emotion taking awesome shots, but, not truthful overmuch erstwhile it’s astatine nan Orlando Magic’s expense. I’ve been pinch nan squad for 37 years, since their inception, truthful I’m a spot of a instrumentality of these guys. To person my photograph chosen by fans arsenic their favourite of nan play is an astonishing honour.”

Trump ceremony by Carl Recine (400mm, 1/2500th, ISO 200)

“I’ve been fortunate capable to photograph plentifulness of trophy presentations, but I don’t deliberation I’ll ever apical this one. Normally they’re formulaic and you cognize precisely what’s coming. But erstwhile you propulsion President Trump into nan mix, you’ve sewage to expect nan unexpected. Chelsea had conscionable been crowned Club World Cup champions and President Trump was expected to measurement disconnected nan shape aft handing nan trophy to their captain, Reece James. Instead, he planted himself adjacent to James, opinionated proudly, dormant centre of nan Chelsea squad group arsenic though he’d been playing successful nan final. A fewer seconds of disorder followed; James and Fifa president Gianni Infantino were gesturing for Trump to move along. Then nan ray deed Trump and nan trophy perfectly, creating 1 of those moments wherever news and athletics collide successful 1 image.”

Artistic swimming blur by Hollie Adams (600mm, 1/200th sec, f/4, ISO 4000)

“This photograph captures Iris Tió during nan creator swimming squad free last astatine nan World Aquatics Championships successful Singapore arsenic she is lifted retired of nan h2o by 1 of her teammates during a routine. I really enjoyed covering creator swimming because it’s accelerated and location are tons of opportunities to seizure absorbing compositions aliases facial expressions. The inheritance was very messy, truthful I spent astir of my clip shooting while lying connected nan crushed connected nan broadside of nan pool.”

Alcaraz composite by Rachel Bach (70-200mm, 1/5000th sec, f/4, ISO 640)

“I created this composite of Carlos Alcaraz by taking much than 1,500 images from 1 spot wrong nan tile of Rod Laver Arena. After shooting, I selected frames wherever Alcaraz could beryllium seen successful different positions astir nan tribunal and stitched them together. Ordinarily erstwhile I’m creating a composite, I person my camera fixed successful nan aforesaid position and I usage triggers to occurrence nan shutter remotely. But successful this case, I wasn’t allowed to do that, truthful I was capturing it each handheld. This meant opinionated arsenic still arsenic imaginable – and it meant a spot much post-production to statement everything up. Alcaraz is known for being capable to screen nan court, truthful I knew a composite would showcase this. And I for illustration really you tin observe different things erstwhile you look astatine this composite, depending connected wherever you focus.”

Goalline desperation by Hannah McKay (35mm, 1/1,00th sec, f/4, ISO 5000)

“You person to spot your distant cameras down nan extremity net, truthful usually you’ll spot nan nett successful beforehand of nan players, but successful 2024 I bought a caller Sony RX02 camera that’s really mini – it’s nan size of a GoPro – and it gives nan belief that it’s placed wrong nan net. I’d been utilizing it for respective months without having immoderate luck and I was starting to get very disappointment pinch it, truthful I was pleasantly amazed erstwhile I sewage this image of Gabriel Martinelli scoring for Arsenal and Emi Martínez lying connected nan floor. The Villa keeper is truthful adjacent nan camera, it gives it much impact. It did really good erstwhile I posted it connected Instagram. I deliberation group liked it because it was a caller perspective and a melodramatic moment. Plus, I deliberation distant pictures usually look amended astatine nighttime pinch nan lights and nan colours.”

Para swimming blur by Ian MacNicol (1/2000th sec, f/4)

“Guo Jincheng is an S5 people para swimmer who mislaid some arms successful an electrocution mishap aged six. I first encountered him erstwhile he represented China astatine nan 2024 Paralympics, wherever he was 1 of nan standout athletes. He swims for illustration a dolphin – pinch nary swimming headdress and nary goggles – and hits nan extremity of nan excavation pinch nan crown of his caput for illustration a torpedo, destroying nan section successful nan process.”

Ice lucky by Steph Cahmbers (150mm, 1/8th sec, f/11, ISO 800)

“When nan Seattle Kraken return to nan crystal during a pre-game ray show, nan swirling spotlights past astir a minute. Using a slow shutter speed, nan colours from nan passageway paired pinch nan players’ profiles successful silhouette, creates a unsocial image that’s only imaginable from my photograph position’s shooting hole. It’s deed aliases miss, truthful I for illustration to situation myself earlier each game.”

Knee descent by Morgan Harlow (35mm, 1/250th sec, f/1.8, ISO 10,000)

“Following nan last whistle of nan Women’s Rugby World Cup last betwixt England and Canada, I was fixed exclusive entree to participate nan changing rooms to seizure immoderate celebrations. Captain Zoe Aldcroft ran successful pinch nan trophy and champagne started to alert everywhere. Players were intentionally spraying nan level and I sensed what was astir to happen: I saw Hannah Botterman getting fresh to make a celebratory knee slide. She really performed 3 slides successful total, but I wasn’t happy pinch my original positioning amid specified a crowded changing room, truthful I quickly moved to beryllium straight successful beforehand of her for nan last slide. I knew this was going to beryllium nan pivotal infinitesimal to capture. To beryllium fixed entree to archive specified a infinitesimal was a awesome and unforgettable experience.”

Tennis triangle by Julian Finney (200mm, 1/1000th, f/3.2, ISO 100)

“The Madrid Open is simply a unsocial tourney wherever nan 3 main courts are wrong nan Caja Mágica, aliases ‘Magic Box’. The tile moves according to sunlight and creates difficult shadows crossed nan tribunal astatine definite times of nan day. I discovered an area that I could sprout down to adhd an other protector and I thought to myself: ‘I could constitute nan subordinate wrong a triangle shape.’ Then it was a matter of waiting for nan action to hap successful area of nan tribunal wherever nan subordinate was successful silhouette. I find it very rewarding to observe a caller style of image, which different photographers will effort to transcript year-over-year.”

Mo Salah by Carl Recine (24mm, 1/6400th, ISO 3200)

“Once nan last whistle blew and Liverpool realised they had clinched their 20th convention title, Anfield erupted successful alleviation and celebration. Players streamed toward nan Kop, hugging teammates, unit and shot boys. I kept my oculus connected Mo Salah because he was Liverpool’s talisman and it had been his season. After a fewer minutes of chaotic celebration, he headed for nan fans, grabbed a telephone and recreated a ceremony which he’d performed earlier successful nan lucifer aft scoring. I was fortunate capable to beryllium successful nan correct spot astatine nan correct time, but my camera settings had been knocked and I only had clip to set nan shutter speed, truthful I was beautiful adjacent to not getting this shot. The infinitesimal lasted nary much than 2 seconds, but Salah’s grin and nan axenic emotion of nan fans down him connected nan Kop evoked nan relationship betwixt subordinate and supporter. It was my favourite image of nan season.”