See also: 1881 in sports, 1883 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'.

Grand National

• Seaman, ridden by Lord John Manners beats 11 rivals

Boat race

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race - Oxford

Cricket

• England tour Australia for a 4-Test series. Australia win 2-0.
• Australia tour England and play 1 Test. Australia wins by 7 runs. Sporting Times publishes obituary of English cricket, beginning legend of the Ashes.

Football (Soccer)

• FA Cup Old Etonians beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0

Boxing

• Last bareknuckle heavyweight boxing championship fight takes place in Mississppi City

Cricket

• The bails from a match between England and Australia are burnt to created The Ashes

Births

Deaths