1839 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.
Boxing
Events
- 12 February — William "Bendigo" Thompson defeats James Burke, who is disqualified for head butting.
- Jem Ward finally relinquishes his claim to the English Championship title and awards a championship belt to Bendigo.
- The Oaks – Deception
- St. Leger Stakes – Charles XII
Rowing
The Boat Race
- 3 April — Cambridge wins the 3rd Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race
Other events
- The first Henley Regatta is held on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. From 1851 it will be the Henley Royal Regatta.<!-- source is our regatta article -->
- The Detroit Boat Club is established on the Detroit River in Michigan. Eventually it will be the oldest sporting club in America.<!-- presently oldest as i understand our History of Rowing#Men's -->