1918 in sports explained

Note — many sporting events did not take place because of World War I or the 1918 flu pandemic

1918 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.

American football

College championship

• College football national championship – Pittsburgh Panthers

Professional football

• Most teams shut down due to World War I and the flu pandemic; those that continue play are forced to delay the start of play until the middle of October or later
• Dayton Triangles defeat Detroit Heralds, both of whom continue full operations despite war and flu, to establish themselves as the strongest team in the US
• Buffalo Niagaras sign Tommy Hughitt for play in a citywide league, establishing a trend of expansion of top-level professional competition outside Ohio

Association football

Europe

• There is no major football in Europe due to World War I

Australian rules football

VFL Premiership

• South Melbourne wins the 22nd VFL Premiership beating Collingwood 9.8 (62) to 7.15 (57) in the 1918 VFL Grand Final.

South Australian Football League

• not contested due to World War I

West Australian Football League

• 21 September: East Fremantle 11.8 (74) defeat East Perth 8.5 (53) for their tenth WAFL premiership.

Bandy

Sweden

• Championship final – IFK Uppsala 4–1 IK Sirius (replay following 2–2 draw)

Baseball

World Series

• 5–11 September — Boston Red Sox (AL) defeats Chicago Cubs (NL) to win the 1918 World Series by 4 games to 2

Events

• Babe Ruth leads the American League in home runs for the first time, hitting 11
• 2 September — professional baseball is curtailed to accelerate mobilisation for war

Boxing

Events

• No world titles change hands in 1918 but Jack Dempsey, with a series of knockouts including one against Battling Levinsky, is now the main challenger to Jess Willard.

Lineal world champions^[1]

• World Heavyweight Championship – Jess Willard
• World Light Heavyweight Championship – Battling Levinsky
• World Middleweight Championship – Mike O'Dowd
• World Welterweight Championship – Ted "Kid" Lewis
• World Lightweight Championship – Benny Leonard
• World Featherweight Championship – Johnny Kilbane
• World Bantamweight Championship – Pete Herman
• World Flyweight Championship – Jimmy Wilde

Canadian football

Grey Cup

• not contested due to World War I

Cricket

Events

• There is no first-class cricket in England, Australia, South Africa or the West Indies due to World War I. A number of first-class matches are arranged in New Zealand but are not part of any official competition.

India

• Bombay Quadrangular – Hindus shared with Parsees

New Zealand

• Plunket Shield – not contested

Cycling

Tour de France

• not contested due to World War I^[2]

Giro d'Italia

• not contested due to World War I

Figure skating

World Figure Skating Championships

• not contested due to World War I

Golf

Events

• All major championships are cancelled due to World War I

Horse racing

England

• Grand National – not held due to World War I
• 1,000 Guineas Stakes – Ferry
• 2,000 Guineas Stakes – Gainsborough
• The Derby – Gainsborough^[3]
• The Oaks – My Dear
• St. Leger Stakes – Gainsborough

Australia

• Melbourne Cup – Night Watch

Canada

• King's Plate – Springside

Ireland

• Irish Grand National – Ballyboggan
• Irish Derby Stakes – King John

USA

• Kentucky Derby – Exterminator
• Preakness Stakes – not contested as a single race
• Belmont Stakes – Johren

Ice hockey

Stanley Cup

• • • The temporary Toronto Arenas team defeats the Montreal Canadiens 10–7 to win the inaugural National Hockey League (NHL) championship Vancouver Millionaires defeats Seattle Metropolitans 3–2 to win the Pacific Coast Hockey Association championship 20–30 March — Toronto Arenas (NHL) defeats Vancouver Millionaires (PCHA) in the 1918 Stanley Cup Finals by 3 games to 2

Events

• 2 January — Montreal Wanderers disbands following destruction of its home venue by fire
• Allan Cup is won by Kitchener Greenshirts

Motor racing

Events

• No major races are held anywhere worldwide due to World War I

Rowing

The Boat Race

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race – not contested due to World War I^[4]

Rugby league

England

• All first-class competitions are cancelled due to World War I

Australia

• NSW Premiership – South Sydney (outright winner)

New Zealand

• 1918 New Zealand rugby league season

Rugby union

Five Nations Championship

• Five Nations Championship series is not contested due to World War I

Speed skating

Speed Skating World Championships

• not contested due to World War I

Tennis

Australia

• Australian Men's Singles Championship – not contested due to World War I

England

• Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship – not contested due to World War I
• Wimbledon Women's Singles Championship – not contested due to World War I

France

• French Men's Singles Championship – not contested due to World War I
• French Women's Singles Championship – not contested due to World War I

USA

• American Men's Singles Championship – Lindley Murray (USA) defeats Bill Tilden (USA) 6–3 6–1 7–5
• American Women's Singles Championship – Molla Bjurstedt Mallory (Norway) defeats Eleanor E. Goss (USA) 6–4 6–3

Davis Cup

• 1918 International Lawn Tennis Challenge – not contested

Notes and References

1. http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pastchp.htm Cyber Boxing Zone
2. Web site: Cycling-Tour de France list of winners . Eurosport UK . 18 February 2021 . en . 26 August 2020.
3. Web site: Epsom Derby History, Winners, & Facts Britannica . www.britannica.com . 2 January 2022 . en.
4. Web site: WW1 boat race medal sold at auction . BBC News . 30 April 2021 . 26 September 2014.