The 1978 Individual Speedway World Championship was the 33rd edition of the official World Championship to determine the world champion rider. Ole Olsen won his third world crown. The final was sponsored by the Sunday Mirror and was attended by 86,500. Gordon Kennett took silver on the day of his 25th birthday and American Scott Autrey won the bronze medal run-off defeating Dave Jessup and Jerzy Rembas. Dave Jessup was effectively denied a World title when after leading in heat 3 he suffered a bike malfunction and finished last in the heat. He then scored 11 points from his remaining rides which would have been enough to take the crown if he had won heat 3. Qualification results.

Second round

Australian qualifying

New Zealand qualifying

British preliminary round

Continental preliminary round

Swedish qualification

Third round

Continental quarter-finals

British qualifying round

The British qualifying rounds for the World Championship doubled up as qualifying rounds for the Volkswagen/Daily Mirror Grand Prix. Therefore, many non-British riders rode in these meetings scoring points towards the Volkswagen/Daily Mirror Grand Prix qualification - but their scores didn't count towards World Championship qualification. The top 32 British riders qualified for the british semi-finals.

Finland Final

Norwegian Final

Swedish Final

Danish Final

Australian Final

New Zealand Final

Fourth round

British semi-finals

American selection

Australasian Final

Nordic Final

Continental semi-finals

Fifth round

British Final

Continental Final

Intercontinental Final

World Final