1848 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.
Baseball
Events
- First publication of the Knickerbocker rules.
Boxing
Events
- William Thompson retains the Championships of England but there is no record of any fights involving him in 1848.
Cricket
Events
- 18 July — birth in Gloucestershire of W. G. Grace, who will dominate cricket to the end of the 19th century and be hailed as The Great Cricketer
England
- Most runs – George Parr 339 @ 18.83 (HS 52)
- Most wickets – William Hillyer 85 @ 7.28 (BB 8–26)
Football
Events
- According to the recollections of Henry Charles Malden, a set of rules is created for use at the University of Cambridge, drawing features from the different public school games.
Horse racing
England
- Grand National – Chandler
- 1,000 Guineas Stakes – Canezou
- 2,000 Guineas Stakes – Flatcatcher
- The Derby – Surplice
- The Oaks – Cymba
- St. Leger Stakes – Surplice
Lacrosse
Events
- Montreal's Olympic Club plays a match against an indigenous team.
Rowing
The Boat Race
- The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is not held this year
Other events
- Henry Clasper builds the first keelless racing boats and spoon shaped oars, and develops the outrigger.