1881 in sports

See also: 1880 in sports, other events of 1881, 1882 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'.

Boat race

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race - Oxford

Football (Soccer)

• FA Cup - Old Carthusians beat Old Etonians 3-0. This was the last final to be played between two Southern amateur sides.

Tennis

• First U.S. National Singles Championship, precursor of the US Open won by Richard D. Sears

Births

• December 29 ? Jess Willard, future heavyweight boxing champion (d. 1968)

Deaths