2012 in sports

Events by month

January

Main article: January 2012 in sports

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

Main article: October 2012 in sports

November

Main article: November 2012 in sports

December

[[Alpine skiing]]

Main article: 2012 in skiing

[[American football]]

• Super Bowl XLVI – the New York Giants (NFC) won 21–17 over the New England Patriots (AFC)
  • Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
  • Attendance: 68,658
  • MVP: Eli Manning, QB (New York)
• January 9 – BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans (2011 season):
  • The Alabama Crimson Tide won 21-0 over the LSU Tigers to win the 2012 BCS National Championship Game
• March 21 - former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning signs a 5-year, $96 million deal with the Denver Broncos, after considering signing with teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans. Manning spent his first 13 years with the Colts, leading them to their 2nd Super Bowl title in 2007 and after going 2-14 in 2011 and earning the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, Manning was released by the Colts 13 days earlier, and sat out that whole season due to undergoing neck surgeries. In a move that shocked both the media and fans, sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow would be traded to the New York Jets the next day, and just 2 months after he led the 4th seeded Broncos to a playoff win and go 7-4 as a starter. This signing is tied with the New Orleans Saints' signing of Drew Brees in 2006 as the greatest free agency signing in NFL history.

[[Aquatic sports|Aquatics]]

• January 16–29: 2012 Men's European Water Polo Championship in Eindhoven, Netherlands

  • **, ** , .

• January 18–28: 2012 Women's European Water Polo Championship in Eindhoven, Netherlands

  • ** , ** , .

• February 20–26: 2012 FINA Diving World Cup in London, U.K.

• May 14–27: 2012 European Aquatics Championships in Antwerp and Eindhoven

• Aquatics at the 2012 Olympics in London, United Kingdom:

  • Swimming 28 July - 10 August. American swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, by surpassing soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina. Phelps has won 22 Olympic medals (18 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze) . The Swimming Medal Table was won by with 16 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze. was second with 5 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze. was third with 4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze.
  • Diving 29 July - 11 August
  • Water Polo
    • Men: ** , ** ,
    • Women: ** , ** ,
  • Synchronized Swimming 5–10 August

• 2012 FINA Swimming World Cup in eight different cities in October and November:

  • October 2–3 Dubai, United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
  • October 6–7 Doha, Qatar Qatar
  • October 13–14 Stockholm, Sweden Sweden
  • October 17–18 Moscow, Russia Russia
  • October 20–21 Berlin, Germany Germany
  • November 2–3 Beijing, China China
  • November 6–7 Tokyo, Japan Japan
  • November 10–11 Singapore Singapore. Kenneth To from won the men's race, while Katinka Hosszú from won the women's race

• December 12–16: 2012 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) in Istanbul, Turkey. won the medal table with 11 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze, while was second with 3 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze and was third with 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze.

[[Association football]]

Main article: 2012 in association football

• 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea (final held in Libreville)
  • Champions: (first title); Runners-up: ; Third place: .
• UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine (final was held in Kyiv)
  • defeated 4–0 in the final to successfully defend their 2008 Euro title. This is Spain's third Euro title win overall. It also made Spain the first men's team ever to win three consecutive major international competitions (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012).
• 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Champions: (first title); Runners-up: ; Third place: .
• 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan (final held in Tokyo)
  • Champions: (third title); Runners-up: ; Third place: .
• 2011–12 OFC Champions League
  • NZL Auckland City FC defeats TAH AS Tefana 3–1 on aggregate. Auckland City will represent the OFC region in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
• 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League
  • In a matchup of two Mexico teams, Monterrey defeated Santos Laguna 3–2 on aggregate. Monterrey will represent the CONCACAF region in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
• 2011–12 UEFA Champions League (final held in Munich)
  • ENG Chelsea defeated GER Bayern Munich 4–3 on penalties, after a 1–1 draw after extra time. Chelsea will represent the UEFA region in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
• 2012 Copa Libertadores
  • BRA Corinthians defeated ARG Boca Juniors 4–1 on points in the two-legged final. Corinthians will represent the CONMEBOL region in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
• 2012 AFC Champions League (final held in Ulsan)
  • KOR Ulsan Hyundai defeated KSA Al-Ahli 3–0. Ulsan Hyundai will represent the AFC region in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
• 2012 CAF Champions League
  • EGY Al-Ahly defeated TUN Espérance ST 3–2 on aggregate in the two-legged final. Al-Ahly will represent the CAF region in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
• 2012 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan
  • BRA Corinthians defeated ENG Chelsea 1–0 to claim its second title.

[[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]]

Main article: 2012 in athletics (track and field)

• March 9–11: 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey
• July 10–15: 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics in Barcelona, Spain
• June 27 – July 1: 2012 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland

[[Badminton]]

[[Baseball]]

Main article: 2012 in baseball

• The Miami Marlins, known as the Florida Marlins until November 11, 2011, opened their new stadium, Marlins Park, on April 4 against the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.
• October 24–28: In the World Series, the San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers 4–0, with Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval named MVP. It was the Giants' second World Series victory in three years.
• October 27–November 5: In the Japan Series, the Yomiuri Giants defeated the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters 4–2, with Giants starting pitcher Tetsuya Utsumi named MVP.

[[Basketball]]

Main article: 2012 in basketball

WNBA Finals

The Indiana Fever defeat the Minnesota Lynx 3–1 in the best-of-5 series.

NBA Finals

• Miami Heat win four games to one over the Oklahoma City Thunder
• October 27 : The Oklahoma City Thunder trade James Harden, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook, and Lazar Hayward to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first round picks (which became Steven Adams in 2013 and Mitch McGary in 2014), and a second round pick that became Alex Abrines in 2013, a trade that was heavily criticised by fans and the media as many believe the Thunder would've won a title or possibly become the NBA's next dynasty had they kept the trio of Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant. Having played there until 2021, Harden had his best years in Houston, leading them to 7 straight playoff appearances, the Western Conference Finals in 2015 and 2018, won the 2017–18 MVP award, and in 2018-19, led the Rockets to 32 straight 30-plus point games. Events
• Barclays Center, a new arena in Brooklyn, opened late in 2012. The New Jersey Nets revealed in 2011 that they will become the Brooklyn Nets starting in the 2012–13 season, when they will begin playing in the new building.
• 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament – The University of Kentucky wins its eighth national title, defeating the University of Kansas 67–59 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
• 2012 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament – Baylor University wins its second national title, defeating the University of Notre Dame 80–61 at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Lady Bears finish the season 40–0, becoming the first team in NCAA basketball history of either sex to win 40 games in a season.
• 2011–12 Euroleague Basketball. Final Four in Istanbul, Turkey - Olympiacos B.C. won, defeating PBC CSKA Moscow.
• South American Basketball Championship 2012 in Argentina - Argentina won, defeating Venezuela in the final.

[[Biathlon]]

Main article: 2012 in skiing

[[Bowling]]

• January 29 : Mike Fagan won his first major championship, in claiming the USBC Masters title.
• February 26 : Pete Weber won his record 5th U.S. Open in dramatic fashion over Mike Fagan.
• April 15: Sean Rash broke his title slump in winning his second major in the PBA Tournament of Champions.

[[Canadian football]]

• November 23 – 48th Vanier Cup in Toronto: Laval Rouge et Or 37, McMaster Marauders 14
• November 25 – 100th Grey Cup in Toronto: Toronto Argonauts 35, Calgary Stampeders 22

[[Cricket]]

• 2012 Under19 Cricket World Cup was held in Australia. defeated in the final and clinched their third title.
• 2012 ICC World Twenty20 was held in Sri Lanka. defeated in the final and clinched their first title.

[[Curling]]

Main article: 2011–12 curling season, 2012–13 curling season, 2012 in ice sports

[[Figure skating]]

Main article: 2011–2012 figure skating season, 2012–2013 figure skating season, 2012 in ice sports

[[Floorball]]

• Men's World Floorball Championships
  • Champion:
• Women's under-19 World Floorball Championships
  • Champion:
• Champions Cup
  • Men's champion: SWE Storvreta IBK
  • Women's champion: SWE IKSU innebandy

[[Freestyle skiing]]

Main article: 2012 in skiing

[[Futsal]]

• January 31 – February 11: 2012 UEFA Futsal Championship in Croatia (final held in Zagreb)
  • ** , , .**
• November 2 – November 18: 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand (final to be held in Bangkok)
  • ** , , .**

[[Golf]]

Main article: 2012 in golf

• September 25 – September 30: 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, Illinois, United States - won by Europe.

[[Team handball|Handball]]

Main article: 2012 in handball

• 2012 Pan American Men's Handball Championship in Argentina
• January 15 – January 29: 2012 European Men's Handball Championship in Serbia
  • **, ** ,
• December 3 – December 16: 2012 European Women's Handball Championship in Serbia

[[Horse racing]]

;Steeplechases

• Cheltenham Gold Cup – Synchronised
• Grand National - Neptune Collonges

;Flat races

• Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai World Cup – Monterosso
• English Triple Crown:
  1. 2,000 Guineas Stakes – Camelot
  2. Epsom Derby - Camelot
  3. St. Leger Stakes – Encke
• United States Triple Crown:
  1. Kentucky Derby – I'll Have Another
  2. Preakness Stakes – I'll Have Another
  3. Belmont Stakes – Union Rags
• Breeders' Cup:
  • Day 1:
    • Juvenile Sprint: Hightail
    • Marathon: Calidoscopio
    • Juvenile Fillies Turf: Flotilla
    • Juvenile Fillies: Beholder
    • Filly & Mare Turf: Zagora
    • Ladies' Classic: Royal Delta
  • Day 2:
    • Juvenile Turf: George Vancouver
    • Dirt Mile: Tapizar
    • Filly & Mare Sprint: Groupie Doll
    • Turf Sprint: Mizdirection
    • Juvenile: Shanghai Bobby
    • Turf: Little Mike
    • Sprint: Trinniberg
    • Mile: Wise Dan
    • Classic: Fort Larned

[[Ice hockey]]

Main article: 2012 in ice sports

[[Kickboxing]]

The following is a list of major noteworthy kickboxing events during 2012 in chronological order.

|- |-align=center |January 28 |It's Showtime 2012 in Leeuwarden |It's Showtime 54 |NED Leeuwarden, Netherlands | |Badr Hari announces his retirement after 12 years of competition. |-align=center |February 25 |SuperKombat World Grand Prix I 2012 |SuperKombat World Grand Prix I |Montenegro Podgorica, Montenegro | |Featured the SuperKombat World Grand Prix I 2012 super heavyweight (+96kg) tournament. |-align=center |March 10 |Cro Cop Final Fight |K-1 Final Fight |CRO Zagreb, Croatia | |Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović returns to kickboxing after eight years in MMA. |-align=center |March 23 |United Glory 15 | |RUS Moscow, Russia | | |-align=center | May 27 |SLAMM: Nederland vs. Thailand VII |SLAMM: Nederland vs. Thailand 7 |NED Almere, Netherlands | | |-align=center |June 30 |Music Hall & BFN Group present: It's Showtime 57 & 58 |It's Showtime 57 & 58 |BEL Brussels, Belgium | |Peter Aerts announces his retirement after 27 years of competition. |-align=center

[[Lacrosse]]

• May 19: Rochester Knighthawks defeat the Edmonton Rush in Rochester to win their third MILL/NLL title.
• May 27: Northwestern defeats Syracuse 8–6 in the final of the NCAA women's tournament. It is the Wildcats' seventh national title, all in the last eight years.
• May 28: Loyola defeats in-state rival Maryland 9–3 in the final of the NCAA men's tournament. It is the first national title for the Greyhounds.

[[Luge]]

Main article: 2012 in ice sports

[[Mixed martial arts]]

The following is a list of major noteworthy MMA events by month.

January

1/7 — Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine

1/14 — UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes

1/20 — UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller

1/27 — MFC 32 - Bitter Rivals

1/28 — UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis

February

2/4 — UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit

2/11 — ONE Fighting Championship: Battle of Heroes

2/15 — UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger

2/25 — UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson

2/25 — KSW 18: Unfinished Sympathy

March

3/2 — UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann

3/3 — Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey

3/16 — M-1 Challenge 31 - Monson vs. Oleinik

3/24 — M-1 Belarus 16 - Belarus Fighting Championship

3/31 — ONE Fighting Championship: War of the Lions

April

4/14 — UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva

4/21 — UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans

May

5/4 — MFC 33 - Collision Course

5/5 — UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller

5/12 — KSW 19: Pudzianowski vs. Sapp

5/15 — UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier

5/19 — Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier

5/26 – UFC 146: dos Santos vs. Mir

June

6/1 — The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale

6/8 — UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall 2

6/21 — M-1 Global - Fedor vs. Rizzo

6/22 — UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida

6/23 — UFC 147: Silva vs. Franklin II

6/23 — ONE Fighting Championship: Destiny of Warriors

July

7/7 — UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II

7/11 — UFC on Fuel TV: Muñoz vs. Weidman

7/14 — Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy

7/21 — UFC 149: Faber vs. Barão

August

8/4 — UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera

8/10 — MFC 34 - Total Recall

8/11 — UFC 150: Henderson vs. Edgar II

8/18 — Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman

8/31 — ONE Fighting Championship: Pride of a Nation

September

9/1 — UFC 151: Jones vs. Henderson

9/15 — KSW 20: Fighting Symphonies

9/22 — UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort

9/29 — UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic

9/29 — Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy

9/30 — M-1 Challenge 34 - Emelianenko vs. Gluhov

October

10/5 — UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot

10/6 — ONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Kings

10/13 — UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar

10/26 — MFC 35 - Explosive Encounter

November

11/3 — Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Mir

11/10 — UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le

11/17 — UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit

December

12/1 — KSW 21: Ultimate Explanation

12/8 — UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz

12/14 — UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson

12/15 — The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale

12/29 – UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2

[[Motorsport]]

Main article: 2012 in motorsport, List of 2012 motorsport champions

[[Netball]]

;International tournaments

;Major leagues

[[Nordic skiing]]

Main article: 2012 in skiing

[[Rink hockey]]

• 2012 the 50th Rink Hockey European Championship
• 2012 Rink hockey World Club Championship the 4th Rink hockey World Club Championship, Argentine
• 2012 Rink Hockey Ladies World Championship, the 11th Ladies Rink Hockey World Championship, in Argentine
• 2012 B-Rink Hockey World Championship
• 2012 Rink Hockey American Championship

[[Road bicycle racing|Road cycling]]

• May 5 – May 27: 2012 Giro d'Italia