See also: 1878 in sports, other events of 1879, 1880 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'.

Boat race

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race - Cambridge

Cricket

• 2 January-4 January, Sydney - Only Test between Australia and England. Australia win by 10 wickets.
• 2 January, Sydney - Fred Spofforth of Australia claims the first hat-trick in test cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Football (Soccer)

• FA Cup - Old Etonions beat Clapham Rovers 1-0

Births

Deaths