1854 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.
Baseball
Events
- The Knickerbockers adopt some rule changes agreed in conference by their delegates with those of the Gothams and Eagles.
- The Eagles win their first two matches, with the Knickerbockers in mid-November, 21–4 and 22–21. The latter is the first time one team scores 21 but loses in "equal innings".
Boxing
Events
- Harry Broome retains the Championship of England but there is no record of any fights involving him in 1854.
- American champion John Morrissey becomes involved in Democratic politics in New York City and from this develops a bitter rivalry with William Poole, also known as "Bill the Butcher", another prizefighter. Poole is also the leader of a notorious gang called the Bowery Boys who plan to seize ballot boxes and rig an election. Morrissey and others are hired to prevent this.
- 14 February — Tom Paddock defeats Harry Poulson at Mildenhall in 102 rounds; this is the third and effectively deciding bout between the two.
- 18 July — Paddock defeats Aaron Jones at Long Reach in 121 rounds.
- The Oaks – Mincemeat
- St. Leger Stakes – Knight of St George
Rowing
The Boat Race
- 8 April — Oxford wins the 12th Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, last contested in 1852