- Jan 22 National Association of Baseball Players founded in New York
- Feb 3 Early ice hockey game played between teams from Swavesey and Over on Mare Fen, England [1]
- Mar 4 19th Grand National: Charlie Boyce wins aboard Emigrant at 10/1
- Mar 7 Baseball decides 9 innings constitutes an official game, not 9 runs
American Chess Congress
Oct 6 First American Chess Congress hosted by the American Chess Association in NYC, NY; won by Paul Morphy 10 November
- Oct 24 Recognised by FIFA as oldest existing club still playing football in the world, Sheffield FC is founded in Yorkshire, England; now based in Dronfield, Derbyshire
- Nov 10 First American Chess Congress is won by Paul Morphy; beats Louis Paulson, 6-2 for a tournament record of 14 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions