- Note — many sporting events did not take place because of World War II
1945 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.
American football
- NFL Championship: the Cleveland Rams won 15–14 over the Washington Redskins at Cleveland Stadium
- Army Cadets – college football national championship
Association football
England
- With the end of World War II, the FA Cup is reinstated for the 1945–46 season; played on a two–legged basis. However, clubs are not yet prepared for a full league programme, so the Football League does not resume; regional leagues remain for another year.
France
- 26 August: French Division 1 football is resumed for the first time since 1938–39.
Germany
- There is no major football in Germany due to World War II and the Allied occupation.
Portugal
- Primeira Liga won by S.L. Benfica.
Spain
Italy
- Serie A – not contested due to World War II.
Yugoslavia (Serbia)
- Partizan Belgrade was founded in Humska area, Belgrade.[ citation needed]
- Red Star Belgrade was founded in Dedinje area, Belgrade on March 4.[ citation needed]
Australian rules football
-
Victorian Football League
- Carlton wins the 49th VFL Premiership defeating South Melbourne 15.13 (103) to 10.15 (75) in the Grand Final.
-
South Australian National Football League:
- 29 September: West Torrens win their third SANFL premiership, defeating Port Adelaide 15.25 (115) to 15.12 (102).
-
Western Australian National Football League:
- 29 March: After three seasons of football limited to players under 18 or 19, and a proposal to limit eligibility to players under 25, the WANFL decides to restore open-age league football. [1]
- 13 October: East Fremantle 12.15 (87) defeat South Fremantle 7.9 (51) for their nineteenth senior WANFL premiership.
Baseball
- World Series – Detroit Tigers defeat the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 3.
- Negro World Series – Cleveland Buckeyes swept the Homestead Grays, 4 games to 0.
- A professional baseball league, Tokyo Senators was founded in Japan on November 6, as predecessor of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.[ citation needed]
Basketball
NBL Championship
- Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons over Sheboygan Redskins (3–2)
Events
- The twelfth South American Basketball Championship in Guayaquil is won by Brazil.
Italy
- Pallacanestro Varese was founded in Lombardy Region.[ citation needed]
Serbia
- KK Crvena zvezda, as known well for professional basketball club of Serbia, officially founded on March 3. [ citation needed]
Cricket
England
- With the end of World War II in Europe, a small number of first-class matches are played for the first time since 1939, but it is not practicable to resume the County Championship or the Minor Counties Championship.
- Most runs – Len Hutton 782 @ 48.87 (HS 188)
- Most wickets – Dick Pollard 28 @ 24.25 (BB 6–75)
Australia
- 23 November – With the lifting of bans on weekday sport at the end of World War II, first-class cricket is played in Australia for the first time since 1 December 1941. The Sheffield Shield, however, is not contested until the following season.
India
- 4–8 March: Cottari Subbanna Nayudu of Holkar sets two first-class records in the Ranji Trophy final against Bombay, bowling 912 balls and conceding 428 runs in the match. [2]
- Ranji Trophy – Bombay beat Holkar by 374 runs
- Bombay Pentangular – Hindus
New Zealand
- 24 December: The Plunket Shield is resumed after having not been contested, despite a small number of interprovincial first-class matches, since 1939–40.
South Africa
- 15 December: With the end of World War II, first-class cricket is played in South Africa for the first time since 14 March 1943, though the last regular interprovincial matches had been in 1939–40.
Cycling
- not contested due to World War II [3]
- not contested due to World War II
Figure skating
World Figure Skating Championships
- not contested due to World War II
Golf
Men's professional
- Masters Tournament – not played due to World War II [4]
- U.S. Open – not played due to World War II [4]
- British Open – not played due to World War II [4]
- PGA Championship – Byron Nelson
- PGA Tour money leader – Byron Nelson – $63,336
Men's amateur
- British Amateur – not played due to World War II
- U.S. Amateur – not played due to World War II
Women's professional
- Women's Western Open – Babe Zaharias
- Titleholders Championship – not played due to World War II
Horse racing
Steeplechases
- Cheltenham Gold Cup – Red Rower
- Grand National – not held due to World War II
Hurdle races
Flat races
- Australia – Melbourne Cup won by Rainbird
- Canada – King's Plate won by Uttermost
- France – Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe won by Nikellora
- Ireland – Irish Derby Stakes won by Piccadilly
- English Triple Crown Races:
- United States Triple Crown Races:
Ice hockey
- Stanley Cup: Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings four games to three.
Motor racing
- Indianapolis 500 – not held due to World War II
- 9 September – The first European Grand Prix since 1939 is held in Paris, being won by Jean-Pierre Wimille.
Rowing
The Boat Race
- Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is not contested due to World War II
Rugby league
- 1945–46 European Rugby League Championship
- 1945 New Zealand rugby league season
- 1945 NSWRFL season
- 1944–45 Northern Rugby Football League Wartime Emergency League season / 1945–46 Northern Rugby Football League season
Rugby union
- Five Nations Championship series is not contested due to World War II
Speed skating
Speed Skating World Championships
- not contested due to World War II
Tennis
Australia
- Australian Men's Singles Championship – not contested
- Australian Women's Singles Championship – not contested
England
- Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship – not contested
- Wimbledon Women's Singles Championship – not contested
France
- French Men's Singles Championship – Yvon Petra (France) defeats Bernard Destremau (France) 7–5, 6–4, 6–2
- French Women's Singles Championship – Lolette Payot (Switzerland) defeats Simone Iribarne Lafargue (France) 6–3, 6–4
USA
- American Men's Singles Championship – Frank Parker (USA) defeats Bill Talbert (USA) 14–12, 6–1, 6–2
- American Women's Singles Championship – Sarah Palfrey Cooke (USA) defeats Pauline Betz Addie (USA) 3–6, 8–6, 6–4
Davis Cup
- 1945 International Lawn Tennis Challenge – not contested
References
- ^ “League Football – An Open Competition: Decision for 1945 Season”; The West Australian, 23 March 1945, p. 2
- ^ Webber, Roy; The Playfair Book of Cricket Records; pp. 163-165. Published 1951 by Playfair Books.
- ^ "Cycling-Tour de France list of winners". Eurosport UK. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Young, William H.; Young, Nancy K. (17 September 2010). World War II and the Postwar Years in America: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 361. ISBN 978-0-313-35653-7.
- ^ "Epsom Derby | History, Winners, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- Note — many sporting events did not take place because of World War II
1945 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.
American football
- NFL Championship: the Cleveland Rams won 15–14 over the Washington Redskins at Cleveland Stadium
- Army Cadets – college football national championship
Association football
England
- With the end of World War II, the FA Cup is reinstated for the 1945–46 season; played on a two–legged basis. However, clubs are not yet prepared for a full league programme, so the Football League does not resume; regional leagues remain for another year.
France
- 26 August: French Division 1 football is resumed for the first time since 1938–39.
Germany
- There is no major football in Germany due to World War II and the Allied occupation.
Portugal
- Primeira Liga won by S.L. Benfica.
Spain
Italy
- Serie A – not contested due to World War II.
Yugoslavia (Serbia)
- Partizan Belgrade was founded in Humska area, Belgrade.[ citation needed]
- Red Star Belgrade was founded in Dedinje area, Belgrade on March 4.[ citation needed]
Australian rules football
-
Victorian Football League
- Carlton wins the 49th VFL Premiership defeating South Melbourne 15.13 (103) to 10.15 (75) in the Grand Final.
-
South Australian National Football League:
- 29 September: West Torrens win their third SANFL premiership, defeating Port Adelaide 15.25 (115) to 15.12 (102).
-
Western Australian National Football League:
- 29 March: After three seasons of football limited to players under 18 or 19, and a proposal to limit eligibility to players under 25, the WANFL decides to restore open-age league football. [1]
- 13 October: East Fremantle 12.15 (87) defeat South Fremantle 7.9 (51) for their nineteenth senior WANFL premiership.
Baseball
- World Series – Detroit Tigers defeat the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 3.
- Negro World Series – Cleveland Buckeyes swept the Homestead Grays, 4 games to 0.
- A professional baseball league, Tokyo Senators was founded in Japan on November 6, as predecessor of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.[ citation needed]
Basketball
NBL Championship
- Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons over Sheboygan Redskins (3–2)
Events
- The twelfth South American Basketball Championship in Guayaquil is won by Brazil.
Italy
- Pallacanestro Varese was founded in Lombardy Region.[ citation needed]
Serbia
- KK Crvena zvezda, as known well for professional basketball club of Serbia, officially founded on March 3. [ citation needed]
Cricket
England
- With the end of World War II in Europe, a small number of first-class matches are played for the first time since 1939, but it is not practicable to resume the County Championship or the Minor Counties Championship.
- Most runs – Len Hutton 782 @ 48.87 (HS 188)
- Most wickets – Dick Pollard 28 @ 24.25 (BB 6–75)
Australia
- 23 November – With the lifting of bans on weekday sport at the end of World War II, first-class cricket is played in Australia for the first time since 1 December 1941. The Sheffield Shield, however, is not contested until the following season.
India
- 4–8 March: Cottari Subbanna Nayudu of Holkar sets two first-class records in the Ranji Trophy final against Bombay, bowling 912 balls and conceding 428 runs in the match. [2]
- Ranji Trophy – Bombay beat Holkar by 374 runs
- Bombay Pentangular – Hindus
New Zealand
- 24 December: The Plunket Shield is resumed after having not been contested, despite a small number of interprovincial first-class matches, since 1939–40.
South Africa
- 15 December: With the end of World War II, first-class cricket is played in South Africa for the first time since 14 March 1943, though the last regular interprovincial matches had been in 1939–40.
Cycling
- not contested due to World War II [3]
- not contested due to World War II
Figure skating
World Figure Skating Championships
- not contested due to World War II
Golf
Men's professional
- Masters Tournament – not played due to World War II [4]
- U.S. Open – not played due to World War II [4]
- British Open – not played due to World War II [4]
- PGA Championship – Byron Nelson
- PGA Tour money leader – Byron Nelson – $63,336
Men's amateur
- British Amateur – not played due to World War II
- U.S. Amateur – not played due to World War II
Women's professional
- Women's Western Open – Babe Zaharias
- Titleholders Championship – not played due to World War II
Horse racing
Steeplechases
- Cheltenham Gold Cup – Red Rower
- Grand National – not held due to World War II
Hurdle races
Flat races
- Australia – Melbourne Cup won by Rainbird
- Canada – King's Plate won by Uttermost
- France – Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe won by Nikellora
- Ireland – Irish Derby Stakes won by Piccadilly
- English Triple Crown Races:
- United States Triple Crown Races:
Ice hockey
- Stanley Cup: Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings four games to three.
Motor racing
- Indianapolis 500 – not held due to World War II
- 9 September – The first European Grand Prix since 1939 is held in Paris, being won by Jean-Pierre Wimille.
Rowing
The Boat Race
- Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is not contested due to World War II
Rugby league
- 1945–46 European Rugby League Championship
- 1945 New Zealand rugby league season
- 1945 NSWRFL season
- 1944–45 Northern Rugby Football League Wartime Emergency League season / 1945–46 Northern Rugby Football League season
Rugby union
- Five Nations Championship series is not contested due to World War II
Speed skating
Speed Skating World Championships
- not contested due to World War II
Tennis
Australia
- Australian Men's Singles Championship – not contested
- Australian Women's Singles Championship – not contested
England
- Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship – not contested
- Wimbledon Women's Singles Championship – not contested
France
- French Men's Singles Championship – Yvon Petra (France) defeats Bernard Destremau (France) 7–5, 6–4, 6–2
- French Women's Singles Championship – Lolette Payot (Switzerland) defeats Simone Iribarne Lafargue (France) 6–3, 6–4
USA
- American Men's Singles Championship – Frank Parker (USA) defeats Bill Talbert (USA) 14–12, 6–1, 6–2
- American Women's Singles Championship – Sarah Palfrey Cooke (USA) defeats Pauline Betz Addie (USA) 3–6, 8–6, 6–4
Davis Cup
- 1945 International Lawn Tennis Challenge – not contested
References
- ^ “League Football – An Open Competition: Decision for 1945 Season”; The West Australian, 23 March 1945, p. 2
- ^ Webber, Roy; The Playfair Book of Cricket Records; pp. 163-165. Published 1951 by Playfair Books.
- ^ "Cycling-Tour de France list of winners". Eurosport UK. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Young, William H.; Young, Nancy K. (17 September 2010). World War II and the Postwar Years in America: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 361. ISBN 978-0-313-35653-7.
- ^ "Epsom Derby | History, Winners, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 3 January 2022.