title: 2009 in sports
text: 2009 in sports describes the world events in sport.
  
  Alpine skiing
   Alpine World Ski Championships 2009 held at Val d'Isère, Savoy, France
  
  American football
   Super Bowl XLIII – the Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC) won 27–23 over the Arizona Cardinals (NFC)
  Location: Raymond James Stadium
  Attendance: 70,774
  MVP: Santonio Holmes, WR (Pittsburgh)
   BCS National Championship Game at Orange Bowl (2008 season):
   The Florida Gators won 24-14 over the Oklahoma Sooners in front of a record crowd of 78,468 to win the BCS National Championship
   September 20 – The Dallas Cowboys play their first game in the new Cowboys Stadium against the New York Giants and lose 31–33.  The game drew an NFL record regular-season crowd of over 105,000.
   September 27 – Detroit Lions defeat the Washington Redskins to end a 19-game losing streak dating back to December 2007.  This tied the 1942–45 Chicago Cardinals (who suspended independent operations in 1944) and the 1961–62 Oakland Raiders for the second longest such streak after the 1976–77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
   October 8 – The United Football League made its debut.
   November 27 – In the first UFL Championship Game, the Las Vegas Locomotives defeat the previously unbeaten Florida Tuskers 20–17 in overtime.
  
  Association football
  
   Shakhtar Donetsk win the UEFA Cup after beating Werder Bremen 2–1 in extra time of the 2009 UEFA Cup Final in Istanbul.
   FC Barcelona win the UEFA Champions League after beating Manchester United 2–0 in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final in Rome.
   Estudiantes win the Copa Libertadores after beating Cruzeiro 4–1 on points.
    win the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup after beating the  3–2 in the final in Johannesburg, South Africa.
    win the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup after beating the  5–0 in the final in East Rutherford, United States.
    win the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup after beating  4–3 in penalties (the match ended 0–0) in the final in Cairo, Egypt.
    win the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup after beating  1–0 in the final in Abuja, Nigeria.
   FC Barcelona win the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup after beating Estudiantes de La Plata 2–1 in the final in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
   Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito win the Recopa Sudamericana after defeating Internacional in the two-legged final.
   Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito win the Copa Sudamericana after defeating Fluminense FC in the two-legged final.
   FIFA World Player of the Year:
   Men: Lionel Messi,  and FC Barcelona
   Women: Marta,  and Los Angeles Sol
   Marta becomes the first four-time winner of the award of either sex, with all of her awards consecutive.
  
  Athletics
  
   2009 World Championships in Athletics at Olympiastadion, Berlin
  
  Australian Rules Football
   Australian Football League
   July 11 –  kick the lowest score since 1961 when they score only 1.7 (13) against ’s 19.16 (130)
   September 26 – 2009 AFL Grand Final in Melbourne, Australia, is won by the Geelong Football Club against the St Kilda Football Club on by 12 points.
  
  Bandy
  
   2009 Bandy World Championship in Västerås, Sweden, is won by the host nation after defeating Russia in the final
  
  Baseball
  
     Japan win the 2009 World Baseball Classic after beating  South Korea by 5–3 (F/10) in the final at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California.
   New York City opens two new ballparks, The New Yankee Stadium for the New York Yankees and Citi Field for the New York Mets.
   Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox throws the 18th perfect game in Major League history against the Tampa Bay Rays.
   The New York Yankees defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 4 games to 2 to win their 27th World Series championship. Hideki Matsui is named World Series MVP
   The Yomiuri Giants defeat the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters 4 games to 2 to win their 21st Japan Series championship. The Giants' Shinnosuke Abe is named MVP.
  
  Basketball
  
   NCAA men's tournament — North Carolina defeats Michigan State 89–72 at Ford Field in Detroit. It is North Carolina's fifth national title.
   NBA Finals — The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Orlando Magic 4 games to 1 to win the 2009 NBA Championship. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant is named Finals MVP.
   Euroleague — Panathinaikos win their fifth Euroleague crown, defeating defending champions CSKA Moscow 73–71 in the final in Berlin.
   NCAA women's tournament — Connecticut completes a 39–0 season with a 76–54 win over Louisville at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. It is the sixth national title and third unbeaten season for the Huskies.
  
  Boxing
   2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships held in Mediolanum Forum, Milan
   David Haye defeats Nikolai Valuev to claim the WBA World heavyweight title.
   Vitali Klitchko comes back from injury
   Manny Pacquiao defeated Ricky Hatton to win the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight championship. Pacquiao also defeated Miguel Cotto to win the WBO Welterweight championship to become the first boxer to win 7 world title in seven different weight classes.
   Floyd Mayweather Jr. came out of retirement by facing lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and defeating him by unanimous decision.
  
  Canadian football
   97th Grey Cup game at McMahon Stadium in Calgary – Montreal Alouettes defeat Saskatchewan Roughriders 28–27. Avon Cobourne was named MVP
  
  Cricket
  
   March 3 – five members of the Sri Lanka national cricket team are injured when their team bus is attacked by masked gunmen en route to the third day's play of their Second Test against Pakistan at Lahore. The tour is cancelled following the attack.
   March 7–22 – 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup held in Australia.
   Deccan Chargers win the 2009 Indian Premier League held in South Africa.
   June 5,  – June 21, – 2009 ICC World Twenty20 held in England.
   September 22,  – October 5, – 2009 ICC Champions Trophy held in South Africa
  
  Cycling
   Giro d'Italia – Denis Menchov
   Tour de France – Alberto Contador
   Vuelta a España – Alejandro Valverde
   2009 UCI Road World Championships - Men's Road Race – Cadel Evans
   2009 UCI Road World Championships – Men's Time Trial – Fabian Cancellara
   2009 UCI Road World Championships - Women's Road Race – Tatiana Guderzo
   2009 UCI Road World Championships – Women's Time Trial – Kristin Armstrong
  
  Floorball
   Women's World Floorball Championships
   Champion: 
   Men's under-19 World Floorball Championships
   Champion: 
   EuroFloorball Cup
   Men's champion:  SSV Helsinki
   Women's champion:  IKSU Innebandy
  
  Golf
  
  Major championships
  The Masters winner: Ángel Cabrera
  U.S. Open winner: Lucas Glover
  The Open Championship winner: Stewart Cink
  PGA Championship winner: Yang Yong-eun
  
  Women's major championships
  Kraft Nabisco Championship winner: Brittany Lincicome
  LPGA Championship winner: Anna Nordqvist
  U.S. Women's Open winner: Ji Eun-hee
  Women's British Open winner: Catriona Matthew
  
  Senior major championships
  Senior PGA Championship winner: Michael Allen
  Senior British Open winner: Loren Roberts
  U.S. Senior Open winner: Fred Funk
  The Tradition winner: Mike Reid
  Senior Players Championship winner: Jay Haas
  
  Gymnastics
   2009 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
   2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
  
  Handball
   2009 World Men's Handball Championship – France defeats Croatia 24–19 in the final
  
  Horse racing
  Steeplechases
   Cheltenham Gold Cup – Kauto Star
   Grand National – Mon Mome
  Flat races
   Australia: Melbourne Cup – Shocking
   Canadian Triple Crown:
   Queen's Plate – Eye of the Leopard
   Prince of Wales Stakes – Gallant
   Breeders' Stakes – Purple Shower
   Dubai: Dubai World Cup – Well Armed
   France: Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – Sea the Stars
   Ireland: Irish Derby Stakes – Fame and Glory
   Japan: Japan Cup – Vodka
   English Triple Crown:
   2,000 Guineas Stakes – Sea the Stars
   The Derby – Sea the Stars
   St. Leger Stakes – Mastery
   United States Triple Crown:
   Kentucky Derby – Mine That Bird
   Preakness Stakes – Rachel Alexandra
   Belmont Stakes – Summer Bird
   Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California (all races in order of running):
   Day 1 (November 6):
   Breeders' Cup Marathon – Man of Iron
   Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – Tapitsfly
   Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies – She Be Wild
   Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Midday
   Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – Informed Decision
   Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic – Life Is Sweet
   Day 2 (November 7):
   Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf – Pounced
   Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint – California Flag
   Breeders' Cup Sprint – Dancing in Silks
   Breeders' Cup Juvenile – Vale of York
   Breeders' Cup Mile – Goldikova
   Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile – Furthest Land
   Breeders' Cup Turf – Conduit
   Breeders' Cup Classic – Zenyatta
  
  Ice hockey
  
   April 18 – Bentley Generals win 2009 Allan Cup Canadian senior championship.
   April 19 – Ak Bars Kazan win 2009 Gagarin Cup.
   May 10 –  defeats  2–1 to win the 2009 IIHF World Championship.
   May 24 – Windsor Spitfires win 2009 Memorial Cup Canadian junior championship.
   June 12 – Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Detroit Red Wings to win the 2009 Stanley Cup. Evgeni Malkin is awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
   June 26–27 – 2009 NHL Entry Draft held in Montreal.
   September 29 – ZSC Lions defeat the Chicago Blackhawks to win the 2009 Victoria Cup.
  
  Mixed martial arts
  The following is a list of major noteworthy MMA events by month.
  
  January
  
  1/14 – World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009
  
  1/17 – UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson
  
  1/24 – Affliction: Day of Reckoning ()
  
  1/25 – WEC 38: Varner vs. Cerrone
  
  1/31 – UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2
  
  February
  
  2/7 – UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens
  
  2/21 – UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson
  
  March
  
  3/1 – WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia
  
  3/7 – UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine
  
  3/8 – DREAM.7
  
  3/20 – World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 7
  
  April
  
  4/1 – UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann
  
  4/3 – Bellator I ()
  
  4/5 – WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki
  
  4/5 – DREAM.8
  
  4/10 – Bellator II
  
  4/11 – Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz
  
  4/17 – Bellator III
  
  4/17 – Bellator IV
  
  4/18 – UFC 97: Redemption
  
  May
  
  5/1 – Bellator V
  
  5/2 – World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 8
  
  5/8 – Bellator VI
  
  5/15 – ShoMMA 1: Evangelista vs. Aina
  
  5/15 – Bellator VII
  
  5/15 – MFC 21: Hard Knocks
  
  5/23 – UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
  
  5/26 – DREAM.9
  
  5/29 – Bellator IX
  
  June
  
  6/5 – Bellator X
  
  6/6 – Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields
  
  6/7 – WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber II
  
  6/12 – Bellator XI
  
  6/13 – UFC 99: The Comeback
  
  6/19 – ShoMMA 2: Villasenor vs. Cyborg
  
  6/19 – Bellator XII ()
  
  6/20 – The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale
  
  July
  
  7/11 – UFC 100 ()
  
  7/20 – DREAM.10
  
  8/2 – World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9
  
  8/8 – UFC 101: Declaration
  
  8/9 – WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles
  
  8/15 – Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg
  
  8/29 – UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira
  
  September
  
  9/16 – UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard
  
  9/19 – UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort
  
  9/23 – World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 10
  
  9/25 – ShoMMA 3: Kennedy vs. Cummings
  
  October
  
  10/6 – DREAM.11
  
  10/10 – WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson
  
  10/24 – UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun
  
  10/25 – DREAM.12
  
  November
  
  11/6 – ShoMMA 4: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
  
  11/7 – Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
  
  11/7 – World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11
  
  11/14 – UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera
  
  11/18 – WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo
  
  11/20 – ShoMMA 5: Woodley vs. Bears
  
  11/21 – UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2
  
  December
  
  12/5 – The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale
  
  12/12 – UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez
  
  12/19 – WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff
  
  12/19 – Strikeforce: Evolution
  
  12/31 – Dynamite!! 2009 ()
  
  Motorsport
  
  Netball
   ANZ Championship — Melbourne Vixens def. Adelaide Thunderbirds by 54–46 to win the 2009 season.
   World Youth Netball Championships —  U21 def.  U21 to win 2009 WYNC in the Cook Islands.
   World Netball Series (inaugural) —  def.  by 32–27 to win the 2009 Series in Manchester, England.
  
  Pickleball
   November 2–8: The first United States national pickleball championships are held in Surprise, Arizona.
  
  Rink hockey
   Spain wins the 2009 Rink Hockey World Championship, defeating Argentina in the final.
  
  Rowing
   2009 World Rowing Championships regatta will be held at Lake Malta, Poznań, Poland
  
  Rugby league
  
   March 1 – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles defeats Leeds Rhinos 28–20 to win the 2009 World Club Challenge at Elland Road
  March 22: Maesteg, South Wales – 20-year-old forward Leon Walker collapses and dies on the field in a reserve match between Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Celtic Crusaders.
   June–July – Queensland defeats New South Wales 2–1 in the 2009 State of Origin series to claim a record 4th straight Origin series victory.
   August 29 – Warrington Wolves defeats Huddersfield Giants 25 – 16 to win The Carnegie Challenge Cup at Wembley
   October 4 – Melbourne Storm defeat Parramatta Eels 23–16 in the 2009 NRL Grand Final to win their third premiership and second in two years. Billy Slater named Clive Churchill Medalist. On April 22, 2010, the Melbourne Storm were stripped of the 2007 and 2009 premierships and the 2006–2008 minor premierships, after Storm officials confessed to the NRL that the club had committed serious and systematic breaches of the salary cap between 2006 and 2010 by running a well-organized dual contract and bookkeeping system which concealed a total of $3.17 million in payments made to players outside of the salary cap.
   November – Australia defeat England 46–16 in the final of the Rugby League Four Nations tournament in England.
  
  Rugby union
  
   115th Six Nations Championship series is won by  who complete the Grand Slam
   2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens
    win the men's competition.
   The inaugural women's competition is won by  Australia.
   2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series – 
   July 18 – The Celtic League and Italian Rugby Federation tentatively agree that two Italian teams will enter the previously Celtic league in 2010–11.
   September 14 – SANZAR, the organiser of the Tri Nations and Super 14 competitions, announces that  has been provisionally invited to join an expanded "Four Nations" competition effective in 2012.
   November 12 – Independent arbitrators appointed by SANZAR award the 15th Super Rugby franchise to Melbourne, specifically to the operators of the Melbourne Rebels, the city's representative in the defunct Australian Rugby Championship. The new team, whose name was ultimately announced as the Rebels, will join an expanded Super 15 in 2011.
   2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa – South Africa wins the Test series 2–1
   Tri Nations –
  
  Ski jumping
   January 6 – Wolfgang Loitzl wins the Four Hills Tournament
  
  Speed skating
   Czech female skater Martina Sáblíková and Dutch male skater Sven Kramer win the 2009 World Allround Speed Skating Championships in Hamar
  
  Swimming
   2009 World Aquatics Championships held at Rome
  
  Tennis
  Australian Open
  Men's final: Rafael Nadal defeats Roger Federer, 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(3), 3–6, 6–2
  Women's final: Serena Williams defeats Dinara Safina, 6–0, 6–3
  French Open
   Men's final: Roger Federer defeats Robin Söderling, 6–1, 7–6(1), 6–4
   Women's final: Svetlana Kuznetsova defeats Dinara Safina, 6–4, 6–2
  Wimbledon championships
  Men's final: Roger Federer defeats Andy Roddick, 5–7, 7–6(6), 7–6(5), 3–6, 16–14
   Women's final: Serena Williams defeats Venus Williams, 7–6(3), 6–2
  U.S. Open
   Men's final: Juan Martín del Potro defeats Roger Federer, 3–6, 7–6(5), 4–6, 7–6(4), 6–2
   Women's final: Kim Clijsters defeats Caroline Wozniacki, 7–5, 6–3
  Davis Cup
    defeats , 5–0
  Fed Cup
    defeats , 4–0
  
  Water polo
   Men's water polo World Championship 2009 : Serbia
  
  Multi-sport events
   August 3 – 9 – 2009 World Waterski Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
   July 11 – 19 – 2009 Lusophony Games in Lisbon, Portugal.
   July 16 – 26 – World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
   Chinese delegation boycotts the opening ceremony on July 16.
   2009 Summer Deaflympics is held in Taipei, Taiwan
   December 5(some events will start from December 2)—December 13 – 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong, China
   December 9 – December 18 – 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos
  
  References
  
   
  Sports by year