1878–79 FA Cup
The 1878–79 Football Association Challenge Cup was the eighth staging of the FA Cup, England's oldest football tournament. Forty-three teams entered, although five of the forty-three never played a match.
The Quarter final matches between the Old Etonians Association Football Club and Darwen FC are depicted in Julian Fellowes's drama series, The English Game:
First round
| Date | Home Club | Score | Away Club |
| 19 October 1878 | Barnes | 1–1 | Maidenhead |
| 28 October 1878 | Sheffield | 1–1 | Grantham |
| 30 October 1878 | Upton Park | 5–0 | Saffron Walden Town |
| 2 November 1878 | Forest School | 7–2 | Rochester |
| 2 November 1878 | Old Harrovians | 8–0 | Southill Park |
| 2 November 1878 | Oxford University | 7–0 | Wednesbury Strollers |
| 2 November 1878 | Romford | 3–1 | Ramblers |
| 9 November 1878 | Cambridge University | 2–0 | Herts Rangers |
| 9 November 1878 | Brentwood | 1–3 | Pilgrims |
| 9 November 1878 | Grey Friars | 2–1 | Marlow |
| 9 November 1878 | Reading | 1–0 | Hendon |
| 9 November 1878 | Royal Engineers | 3–0 | Old Foresters |
| 9 November 1878 | Swifts | 2–1 | Hawks |
| 9 November 1878 | Wanderers | 2–7 | Old Etonians |
| 16 November 1878 | Notts County | 1–3 | Nottingham Forest |
| Runnymede | draw | Panthers | |
| Clapham Rovers | Walkover | Finchley | |
| Darwen | Walkover | Birch | |
| Minerva | Walkover | 105th Regiment | |
| Remnants | Walkover | Unity | |
| South Norwood | Walkover | Leyton | |
| Eagley | Bye |
Final
| Date | Score | ||
| 29 March 1879 | Old Etonians | 1–0 | Clapham Rovers |