See also: 1907 in sports, other events of 1908, 1909 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'.

Baseball

• The Chicago Cubs defeat the Detroit Tigers, four games to one, in the World Series.

• September 23 - The Merkle incident

Football (Australian Rules)

• Victorian Football League
  • Richmond and University join the league
  • Carlton wins the 12th VFL Premiership (Carlton 5.5 (35) d Essendon 3.8 (26))
  • See also Victorian Football League season 1908

Ice skating

• First ISU Championships for Pairs Figure Skating held in St. Petersburg

General sporting events

• 1908 Summer Olympics takes place in London, United Kingdom
  • Great Britain wins the most medals (145), and the most gold medals (56).

• December 26 - Jack Johnson becomes the first African American heavyweight boxing champion by defeating Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia

Births

• February 17 - Red Barber, baseball announcer, sports journalist (+ 1992)
• August 27 - Don Bradman, Cricket player

Deaths

• April 20 - Henry Chadwick, baseball writer and historian