15 ’80s Sports Competitions That No Longer Exist
Here's a nostalgic rundown of fifteen memorable sports events from the 1980s that have since disappeared from the competitive scene.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The most bizarre sporting events took place in the 1980s. Although they captivated spectators, these sporting events eventually vanished from stadiums. The most memorable athletic events from the 1980s that are now only a faint memory are revisited in this list.
1. Superstars Competition
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A fan-favorite where athletes from different sports competed in random events like cycling and kayaking. It mixed skills with strategy, often leading to surprising results. It was eventually canceled in the early 2000s due to waning viewership.
2. Battle of the Network Stars
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TV stars clashed in athletic challenges from tug-of-war to obstacle courses. While not purely sports, it brought competition and pop culture together.
3. The Canon European Masters (Golf)
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Once a prominent stop on the European Tour, this tournament boasted stunning Swiss Alps views. It eventually lost its major sponsorship and faded out. Golf fans still recall its scenic flair and intense final rounds.
4. Indoor Soccer NASL
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The North American Soccer League briefly experimented with indoor soccer to boost attendance. With fast-paced play and quirky rules, it offered excitement but lacked staying power.
5. American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL)
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Professional softball had its moment with the APSPL, drawing decent crowds in select cities. The novelty of underhand pitching wore off, and the league folded.
6. U.S. Football League (USFL - Original)
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Created to rival the NFL, the USFL had standout players and high production values. However, an attempted move to fall clashed with the NFL, leading to legal battles and ultimately its collapse.
7. Virginia Slims Championship (Tennis)
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Once a top-tier women’s tennis event, it spotlighted fierce rivalries like Navratilova vs. Evert. The tournament eventually lost sponsorship and was absorbed into the WTA Finals.
8. Camel GT Championship
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A key part of IMSA’s racing calendar, this series featured sports cars battling on U.S. tracks. Sponsorship shifts and format changes led to its discontinuation.
9. Roller Superball
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A hybrid of basketball and roller derby, this chaotic sport was a short-lived cable TV experiment. It was intense and unpredictable — but too niche to last. It quickly disappeared without much fanfare.
10. America’s Cup (1983 Format)
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The 1983 edition changed everything when Australia broke the U.S.’s winning streak. That dramatic event led to revamped formats and new technologies in later years. The original race setup no longer exists.
11. PBA Doubles Bowling Championship
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Bowling duos paired up for high-stakes matches in this once-popular TV event. It brought teamwork into an individual sport in a compelling way.
12. World Team Tennis (’80s Version)
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With co-ed teams and colorful uniforms, WTT was ahead of its time in many ways. However, it lacked consistency and structure in the ’80s and paused operations.
13. Goodwill Games
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Launched during Cold War tensions, these events aimed to unite nations through sport. While noble in vision, they struggled to maintain viewership and relevance after the Cold War.
14. CART IndyCar World Series (Original)
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A premier open-wheel racing series that rivaled F1 in popularity, especially in the U.S. Internal politics and legal disputes split the series in the late ’90s. The original CART branding is now gone.
15. International Race of Champions (IROC)
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This unique motorsport event put drivers from different leagues into identical cars to test pure skill. It offered thrilling parity but lost steam with fans over time.