Ramsar Convention — international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands

1971 treaty between Italy and Tunisia

1971 European Athletics Championships — 1971 edition of the European Athletics Championships

1971 CONCACAF Championship — 1971 edition of the CONCACAF Championship association football competition

Eurovision Song Contest 1971 — 16th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest

1971–72 UEFA Cup — inaugural season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA

1971–72 European Cup — 17th season of the UEFA club football tournament

1971 Formula One season — sports season

1971 World Women's Handball Championship — 1971 edition of the World Women's Handball Championship

EuroBasket 1971 — 1971 edition of the FIBA EuroBasket

1971 battle of the Bangladesh Liberation War