Death of Diana, Princess of Wales — road accident causing the death of the British princess

EuroBasket 1997 — 1997 edition of the Eurobasket

1997 UEFA Super Cup — tournament

1997 World Men's Handball Championship — 1997 edition of the World Men's Handball Championship

UEFA Women's Euro 1997 — 1997 edition of the UEFA Women's Euro

1997–98 UEFA Cup — 27th season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA

Eurovision Song Contest 1997 — 42nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest

1997 Formula One World Championship — sports season

1997 Copa América — 1997 edition of the Copa América association football competition

1997 Asian financial crisis — financial crisis in many East/Southeast Asian countries starting in 1997

1997 World Women's Handball Championship — 1997 edition of the World Women's Handball Championship