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As the coronavirus continues to spread, with the outbreak officially classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 12 March (AEDT), professional sporting competitions are also being impacted right across the globe.
Initially leading to the postponement or cancellation of sporting events in China back in late January, where COVID-19 is believed to have originated, it's now affecting leagues and tournaments worldwide.
Australia's AFL and NRL were among the last sporting competitions globally to cease. But on 22 and 23 March respectively, both made the tough callS to suspend their seasons. Both hope to play out the 2020 season in some form later in the year.
Formula One and MotoGP, Six Nations and World Sevens rugby, golf, tennis and major football matches in Asia and Europe are all experiencing delays or cancellations.
The Chinese F1 Grand Prix scheduled for April was quickly postponed, while the season-opening Australian GP has also been cancelled.
The remaining Euro 2020 play-offs and the Euro 2020 football tournament itself have now been delayed. UEFA announced on 18 March that the final play-off matches will be held later this year, while the competition will now be held in 2021.
"If games have to be postponed or played without spectators for a period of time until it's over, well then we have to do that," FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters in early March.
The AFC Champions League postponed matches across the continent, with the exception of one each in Malaysia and Australia. The latter was Sydney FC's home fixture against South Korea's Jeonbuk. The start of the Japanese and Korean leagues have both been delayed.
Northern Italy has been the worst-hit area for COVID-19 in Europe. Initially, six matches in Italy's Serie A – including a blockbuster between Juventus and Inter Milan – were to be held behind closed doors but have since been postponed until May. On 5 March (AEDT), it was initially announced that all Italian sport will be held behind closed doors until at least 3 April. Italy has now suspended all sports in the country.
This is all likely to have a trickle-down effect too, with areas such as broadcasting, merchandising and revenue from ticket sales all expected to be significantly impacted.
Finder acknowledges that this is not a comprehensive list of every single sport in the world affected. In the meantime it might be best to get your sporting fix by checking out our list of the best sports movies.
| Event | Date | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxing Olympic qualifiers | 3-14 February | Relocated | More info |
| Matildas vs China | 13 February | Relocated | More info |
| Golf USLPGA: LPGA Thailand | 20-23 February | Cancelled | More info |
| Chinese Super League | 21 February | Postponed | More info |
| Golf USLPGA: HSBC Champions | 27 February-1 March | Cancelled | More info |
| Japan's J.League | 25 February-15 March | Delayed | More info |
| Korea's K League | 29 February | Postponed indefinitely | More info |
| Swiss Football League | 29 February | All games from this date cancelled | More info |
| Pro14 Rugby | 29 February | Two matches in Italy postponed | More info |
| Football Asian Champions League Match days 1-3 | 2-4 March | Postponed | More info |
| Golf USLPGA: Blue Bay | 5-8 March | Cancelled | More info |
| Davis Cup - China forfeited to Romania | 6-7 March | Forfeited | More info |
| Six Nations: Italy vs Ireland | 7 March | Postponed | More info |
| Strasbourg vs PSG | 7 March | Postponed | More info |
| MotoGP Qatar | 9 March | Cancelled | More info |
| Indian Wells | 9 March | Cancelled | More info |
| Serie A | 10 March | Cancelled | More info |
| NBA | 12 March | Season suspended | More info |
| NBL Finals | 12 March | Postponed | More info |
| NCAA College basketball tournament 'March Madness' | 13 March | Cancelled | More info |
| NHL | 13 March | Season suspended | More info |
| MLS | 13 March | Season suspended | More info |
| MLB | 13 March | Season delayed | More info |
| Tennis ATP Tour | 13 March-20 Apr | Suspended six weeks | More info |
| World Superbikes Qatar | 13-20 March | Played behind closed doors | More info |
| Cricket: Australia vs NZ ODI series | 13-15 March | Cancelled | More info |
| Australian F1 Grand Prix | 13-15 March | Cancelled | More info |
| V8 Supercars Melbourne 400 | 13-15 March | To be rescheduled | More info |
| Golf PGA Tour | 12 March-April 5 | Cancelled | More info |
| NBL Finals | 13 March | Cancelled, Perth declared champions | More info |
| English Premier League | 14 March | Suspended | More info |
| Ligue 1 | 14 March | Suspended | More info |
| World Surf League | 14 March | Suspended | More info |
| Bundesliga | 14 March | Suspended | More info |
| English Football League | 14 March | Suspended | More info |
| The Masters | 14 March | Postponed | More info |
| Scottish Premiership Football League | 14 March | Suspended | More info |
| Indian Premier League | 14 March | Postponed | More info |
| F1 Bahrain GP | 14 March | Postponed | More info |
| F1 Vietnam GP | 14 March | Postponed | More info |
| IndyCar | 14 March | Events from 13 March to 26 April cancelled | More info |
| Cricket: India vs South Africa ODI series | 15 March | Postponed | More info |
| Cricket: Australia vs New Zealand ODI | 15 and 20 March | Cancelled | More info |
| NASCAR | 16 March | 7 races postponed | More info |
| Surfing WSL Tour | Ongoing | All March events cancelled | More info |
| Basketball Euroleague | Ongoing | Suspended indefinitely | More info |
| UK Super League | Ongoing | Postponed | More info |
| Cricket Sheffield Shield | 17-20 March | Competition cancelled, NSW given title | More info |
| WCQ: Australia vs Kuwait/Nepal vs Australia | 26 March, 31 March | Postponed | More info |
| NHL | Ongoing | Season suspended indefinitely | More info |
| Asian Champions League: Perth Glory vs Ulsan Hyundai | 18 March | Postponed | More info |
| MotoGP Thailand | 20-22 March | Postponed | More info |
| Super Rugby | 20 March | Postponed | More info |
| Motorsport Formula E Championship | 21 March | Cancelled | More info |
| AFL | 22 March | Postponed | More info |
| AFLW | 22 March | Season cancelled, no premiership | More info |
| NRL | 23 March | Postponed | More info |
| Cricket: Australia women tour of South Africa | 22 March-4 April | Suspended | More info |
| 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games | 25 March | Postponed 1 year | More info |
| Cricket Indian Premier League | 29 March-15 April | Suspended until April 15 | More info |
| MotoGP USA | 4-6 April | Postponed | More info |
| Rugby Union World Sevens: Hong Kong | 3-5 April (re-scheduled to 16-18 October) | Rescheduled | More info |
| US vs Matildas friendly | 11 April | Cancelled | More info |
| Rugby Union World Sevens: Singapore | 11-12 April (re-scheduled to 10-11 October) | Rescheduled | More info |
| Tennis Fed Cup Finals | 14-19 April | Postponed | More info |
| Canada vs Matildas | 15 April | Cancelled | More info |
| Golf PGA: Maybank Championship | 16-19 April | Postponed | More info |
| Formula1: China Grand Prix | 17-19 April | Postponed | More info |
| MotoGP Argentina | 17-19 April | Rescheduled to November | More info |
| Boxing: Jeff Horn vs Tim Tszyu fight | 22 April | Postponed | More info |
| Golf PGA: China Open | 23-26 April | Postponed | More info |
| SailGP San Francisco | 2-3 May | Cancelled | More info |
| Football Asian Champions League Round of 16 | 18 May | Postponed/rescheduled | More info |
| WTA Tour Xi'an Open | 13-19 April | Cancelled | More info |
| Horse racing: Kentucky Derby | 2 May | Rescheduled | More info |
| Golf: US PGA Championship | 14-17 May | Postponed | More info |
| Tennis: French Open | 24 May-7 June | Rescheduled | More info |
| AFL China | 7 June | Cancelled/relocated | More info |
| WCQ: Australia vs Taiwan/Jordan | 4, 9 June | Postponed | More info |
| Rugby League: NZ vs Tonga, Samoa vs Cook Islands | 20 June | Postponed | More info |
While you're waiting for your favourite sports to come back, maybe it's a good time to get on top of your finances? With the changing economic climate, it helps to be prepared.
Here are some guides on how to save money on your daily expenses. There are loads of little things that you can save money. It all adds up in the end!
Picture: GettyImages
With new cases of coronavirus growing by the day and the situation declared a global pandemic, sports fans have been left with virtually no options in a brutal 2020.
The International Olympic Committee's official stance finally changed from "business as usual" to a one-year postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on 25 March.
With the death toll rising and countries continuing to lock down their borders, the 24 July-9 August Games became unfeasible. The Olympic flame that is in Japan will continue burning for the next 12 months.
Fans of select sporting events may think twice before signing up to new subscriptions. Competitions have already been impacted with contrasting plans about when they may resume.
Unless your preferred sport is broadcast as the sole offering on an exclusive service (which is virtually zero streaming platforms) we wouldn't expect any refunds, though it's best to contact your existing provider for more information.
Image source: Kayo Sports website
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