HomeSportWorldTimeline History

Here is a timeline of some of the significant events in the world of sports up until the 20th century.

The Chinese played asoccertype game named Tsu Chu

Versions of football (soccer) were being played in various regions of Europe

Leonardo da Vinci designed the worlds first bicycle

originated from a game played on the coast of Scotland.

Early forms of tennis were being played in various regions of Europe

Cricket increases in popularity throughout England. The rules are codified and formal cricket clubs are established in London.

games were played, though the original game was played by North American Indians.

Alexander Cartwright wrote the first comprehensive set of rules for baseball

The rules of rugby were formalized in England

The Grand National horse race was first run

The Cambridge Rules, the first codefication of the rules of soccer, were created at Cambridge University, England.

The first Americas Cup yacht race was held

The first modern game of ice hockey was played, in Kingston, Ontario

The first-ever The Open Championship golf tournament for men was held

the first Melbourne Cup horse race was run

The Football Association was is founded in London, England

John Trudgen introduces a swimming stroke to swimmers in England, the precursor to the modern front crawl technique.

The first American football game was played between McGill University and Harvard.

The Kentucky Derby was held for the first time.

Baseballs National League in the US started

The first Wimbledon tennis event was held

The first Test match was played, between Australia and England.

The first year that the mens US National Tennis Championships was held (the precursor to the US Open)

FIG, the international governing body of gymnastics, is founded in Paris.

Shihan Kano of Japan developed the sport of judo.

The first year that the womens US National Tennis Championships was held (the precursor to the US Open)

The game of softball is invented by George Hancock in Chicago, Illinois.

James Naismith invented the sport of basketball in Springfield, Massachussets.

Volleyball was invented at the same US university as basketball, the new sport was called Mintonette.

The first-ever US golf open was held

Physical education instructor William Morgan invented volleyball in Springfield, Massachussets.

The worlds first bobsled run is constructed at St. Moritz, Switzerland.

the first Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece.

Timeline (all years) in the world of sport

For future sporting events, see theCalendar of Major Sporting Events

Any comments, suggestions, or corrections?Please let us know.

Check outlast years sporting highlights, and thehistory timelineand thesporting highlight from every yearsince1860.