Air New Zealand Flight 901 — November 1979 aviation accident in Antarctica

1979 energy crisis — 1979 petroleum shortage

1979 FIFA World Youth Championship — international football competition

1979 Cricket World Cup — 1979 World Cup in England

EuroBasket 1979 — regional basketball championship

1979 Formula One season — sports season

Moon Treaty — international treaty that turns jurisdiction of all celestial bodies over to the international community

Eurovision Song Contest 1979 — 24th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest

1979–80 UEFA Cup — 9th season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA

1979 Copa América — 1979 edition of the Copa América association football competition

1979 European Super Cup — tournament