The Best Sports Photos of 2015

1 minute read
Competitors ride in the Men's Cycling BMX Final at the Baku European Games on June 28, 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Competitors ride in the Men's Cycling BMX Final at the Baku European Games on June 28, 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan.Tom Pennington—Getty Images for BEGOC
By TIME Photo

From the New England Patriots’ victory in the Super Bowl to the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight and American Pharoah’s history-making Triple Crown, TIME selects the best sports photos of 2015.

New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game on Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game on Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. Kathy Willens—AP
Margarita Mamun, of Russia, performs the ball exercise at the Hungarian Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup tournament in Budapest on Aug, 9, 2015.
Margarita Mamun, of Russia, performs the ball exercise at the Hungarian Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup tournament in Budapest on Aug, 9, 2015.Tibor Illyes—EPA
Serena Williams takes the court at the U.S. Open for her first match on Aug. 31, 2015 in New York.
Serena Williams takes the court at the U.S. Open for her first match on Aug. 31, 2015 in New York. Todd Heisler—The New York Times/Redux
Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a punch at Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a punch at Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. Al Bello—Getty Images
A child draped in United States flags rests on a revelers' shoulder ahead of a ticker-tape parade celebrating the World Cup victory for the U.S. women's soccer team in New York on July 10, 2015.
A child draped in United States flags rests on a revelers' shoulder ahead of a ticker-tape parade celebrating the World Cup victory for the U.S. women's soccer team in New York on July 10, 2015. Hilary Swift—The New York Times/Redux
Columbus Bluejackets' Ryan Johansen is illuminated by spotlights before an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers on Oct. 9, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus Bluejackets' Ryan Johansen is illuminated by spotlights before an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers on Oct. 9, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. Kirk Irwin—Getty Images
The North Korea team swims before the Women's Team Technical Synchronized Swimming Final at the FINA World Championships on July 27, 2015 in Kazan, Russia.
The North Korea team swims before the Women's Team Technical Synchronized Swimming Final at the FINA World Championships on July 27, 2015 in Kazan, Russia. Adam Pretty—Getty Images
Competitors ride in the Men's Cycling BMX Final at the Baku European Games on June 28, 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Competitors ride in the Men's Cycling BMX Final at the Baku European Games on June 28, 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Tom Pennington—Getty Images for BEGOC
American Pharoah, ridden by Victor Espinoza, races down the home stretch at the Belmont Stakes to win the Triple Crown on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, N.Y.
American Pharoah, ridden by Victor Espinoza, races down the home stretch at the Belmont Stakes to win the Triple Crown on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, N.Y. Erick W. Rasco—Sports Illustrated
Kansas City Royals players Eric Hosmer (35), Mike Moustakas (8) and Jarrod Dyson (1) celebrate defeating the New York Mets in 14 innings during Game One of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Oct. 27, 2015 in Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City Royals players Eric Hosmer (35), Mike Moustakas (8) and Jarrod Dyson (1) celebrate defeating the New York Mets in 14 innings during Game One of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Oct. 27, 2015 in Kansas City, Mo. Sean M. Haffey—Getty Images
Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) dunks against Cleveland Cavaliers forward James Jones (1), guard Matthew Dellavedova (8), guard J.R. Smith (5), and forward LeBron James (23), bottom right, during game six of the NBA Finals in Cleveland on June 17, 2015.
Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) dunks against Cleveland Cavaliers forward James Jones (1), guard Matthew Dellavedova (8), guard J.R. Smith (5), and forward LeBron James (23), bottom right, during game six of the NBA Finals in Cleveland on June 17, 2015. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
FIFA President Sepp Blatter is surrounded by banknotes thrown by a British comedian known as Lee Nelson at a news conference following the Extraordinary FIFA Executive Committee Meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on July 20, 2015.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter is surrounded by banknotes thrown by a British comedian known as Lee Nelson at a news conference following the Extraordinary FIFA Executive Committee Meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on July 20, 2015. Arnd Wiegmann—Reuters

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com