Sports Business

7May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

UFC returns: Dana White on UFC 249, Fight Island and 23 May event in Las Vegas

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White had already confirmed three events for this month and now he has revealed plans for a fight night in Las Vegas on 23 May.  Due to the coronavirus measures the mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation was forced to suspend its calendar. However, UFC 249 is now rescheduled for this Saturday (9 May) while cards are also planned for 13 May and 16 May.  The three events will be held behind closed doors in Jacksonville, Florida.  In a pre-UFC 249 interview with Sports Illustrated, White also revealed plans for Vegas later this month.  He said: “While everybody was f------ lying out by the pool, hanging out and doing whatever the f--- they're doing in quarantine, we were in here f------ grinding, man. Fighting crazy wars every day to put ...

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7May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Bundesliga is back on 16 May: German football is first to restart in Europe

The German Bundesliga will be the first European football league to restart after getting the go-ahead from the government.  Chancellor Angela Merkel has approved plans for the top two professional divisions to resume and the German Football League (DFL) has confirmed that the first matches will be played on Saturday 16 May.  As part of the country’s ongoing coronavirus measures all matches will be played behind closed doors. Nine rounds of fixtures remain in the Bundesliga and the new schedule will see the final weekend of the season played on 27-28 June. Bayern Munich are currently top of the table.   Christian Seifert, DFL managing director, said: “[The] decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is associated with a great responsibility for the clubs and t...

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6May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

£740m ‘black hole’: UK sport bodies face financial meltdown

Sport governing bodies in the United Kingdom are facing hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue losses from events and matches called off because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a hearing on Tuesday industry bosses from football, cricket, rugby union, Olympic and Paralympic sports told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee (DCMS) of the financial crisis for UK sporting organisations.  The Daily Telegraph reports that sport’s “darkest hour” will see a £740m “black hole” in the budgets of governing bodies. While the BBC puts the figure at “almost £700m”.  According to the Telegraph UK sporting organisations are facing the following: £200m shortfall for English Football League clubs £107m losses for rugby union if England’s autumn internationals are cancelled £380m ...

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6May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Business

UCI WorldTour 2020 calendar: what dates are the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and Tour de France?

Cycling’s world governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has revealed details of its revised 2020 calendars for the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour. The 2020 season has been suspended since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic and major events such as the Tour de France have been rescheduled. In a news release the UCI has confirmed that the men’s cycling WorldTour will start with the Strade Bianche in Italy on 1 August and finish at the Vuelta a España on 8 November. The series will include 25 events.  The Tour de France is scheduled to take place from 29 August to 20 September while the two other grand tours - the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España - will overlap in October. The Giro d’Italia is scheduled for 3-25 October while the Vuelta a España is scheduled f...

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5May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

International Sports Convention in London postponed to June 2021 

This year's International Sports Convention (ISC) in London has been postponed and will now take place from 8-9 June 2021.   Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will remain the host venue for ISC 2021 and also for future editions of the sports business event.  Nigel Fletcher, CEO of ISC, said: “Like everyone, we have been actively monitoring the evolving situation related to the novel coronavirus [COVID-19] and share the concern about the coronavirus and the questions this challenge presents.  “The health and wellbeing of everyone is always paramount. The goal, of course, in any moment of public health concern, is to be guided by expert information, grounded in scientific and medical data, and sourced from public health and government authorities.  “Borrowing one of the most famous advertising c...

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5May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

‘Economic catastrophe’: US sports industry to lose $12bn in revenues

Analysis by ESPN has found that the Covid-19 pandemic will cost the US sports industry $12bn in revenue and see the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Describing the situation as an “economic catastrophe”, the broadcaster says the meltdown is “a fraction of the crisis spreading across the country”, but it is “nonetheless historic”. Patrick Rishe, from Washington University in St Louis, said: “As an economist, you stand back, you look at the carnage that’s taking place - dumbfounded, awestruck, mind-numbing. All of those phrases, they’re all relevant because we just have never seen anything on this scale.” Should the US college football and NFL schedules be wiped out by the pandemic this could see the economic damage double for the sports industry in the States.  The analysis predic...

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5May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Swimming: Fina World Championships in Fukuoka moved to 13-29 May 2022

Swimming’s governing body Fina has moved the World Championships and World Masters Championships in Japan to 2022 following the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics Games.   The postponement of this year’s Olympics in the Japanese capital means the mega-event will now take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021. This would have caused a clash with Fina’s two events.  Fina’s swimming World Championships in Fukuoka, which had originally been scheduled for 16 July to 1 August 2021, will now be held from 13-29 May 2022. The World Masters Championships in Kyushu have been moved to 31 May to 9 June 2022, having originally been scheduled for 3-12 August 2021. Fina president Julio Maglione said: “After liaising with the relevant stakeholders and receiving feedback from them, we have no doubt that th...

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5May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

SailGP: season two to now take place in 2021

SailGP will remain suspended for the rest of this year and its second season has now been rescheduled for 2021. In a news release sailing’s global racing championship announced that two of the four impacted events have been allocated new dates for 2021. The event in San Francisco will be held on 17-18 April and New York will be on 4-5 June.  Season two will be expanded from five events to a minimum of seven during the year-long period beginning in April 2021. Results from 2020 Sydney SailGP – the first and only completed event of the year – will be null and void. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “This terrible pandemic has led to the tragic and ongoing loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, and first and foremost, our though...

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4May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

FA chief Greg Clarke: ‘hard to see crowds of fans returning to football matches any time soon’

Greg Clarke, the chairman of the English Football Association (FA), admits that it’s “hard” to see crowds of fans returning to matches “any time soon”.  The coronavirus pandemic has seen football suspended across the UK and Europe and it’s uncertain if the 2019-20 season will be now completed. Governing bodies and organisations, including the Premier League, are busy working on scenarios to try and finish the campaigns with possible options including matches behind closed doors and games played at neutral venues.  However, in a letter to the FA Council Clarke explained that any potential restart for the Premier League and English Football League would need to be assessed by the government and health authorities.  Clarke said: “It is no secret that domestically, a huge amount of work is...

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3May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Cycling: UEC reschedules European Road Championships for September 2021 

The 2020 European Road Championships in Trentino, Italy, has been postponed and the cycling event will now take place in September next year.  Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) announced that the 2020 edition - which was due to be held from 9-13 September - will be delayed by 12 months and remain in Trentino.  The exact dates for next year’s event will be confirmed by the UEC within the next few months and options include 1-5 September or 8-12 September.  Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media In a statement the UEC said: “This decision was taken in full agreement and co-operation with the parties concerned, namely the Union Européenne de Cyclisme, APT Trento, Monte Bondone, Valle dei Laghi and Trentino Marketing, the city of Tren...

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1May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

Japan’s first esports hotel to open in Osaka in 2020

The city of Osaka will be the home of Japan’s first esports hotel when it opens this year.  Featuring gaming facilities and 94 beds over nine floors, the “Esports Hotel E-Zone Cyberspace” will offer no-frills accommodation in order to prioritise on the in-game experience. In a news release the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said: “The first, second and third floors are dedicated to gaming, with over 70 top of the range gaming PCs.  “The floors above meanwhile will house sleeping cabins, though the seventh floor will also feature some rooms with their own PCs for serious gamer ‘otaku’ - eat, sleep, game, repeat!”   Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media About the hotel Name of hotel: Esports Hotel E-Zone Cyberspace Located: Nipponbashi, Osaka, Osak...

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1May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Study reveals impact of Covid-19 on the UK snow sports and ski industry

A survey of UK snow sports and ski industry professionals has revealed the damage that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on their businesses. Published by Ski Press and Skipedia, the research was conducted online from 24-29 April 2020 and sectors represented include tour operators, travel agencies, retail, brands, ski slopes and media. As well as the impact of the coronavirus measures, the study looked at what the future might hold for the winter sports industry during the next 12 months.  Some of the key findings were:  82% of companies suffered reduced sales due to the premature end of the 2019-20 season, with two-thirds experiencing lower than usual sales for winter 2020-21 so far Almost one in five have made staff redundant and a quarter are concerned they could go out of business...

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1May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

The Hundred postponed: 2021 launch will be ‘critical’ for future of English cricket 

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) CEO Tom Harrison admits the decision to postpone the launch of The Hundred is a disappointing one, but the event in 2021 will play a “critical” role in the sport’s revival and long-term future.  The ECB’s new 100-ball tournament was due to start this summer. However, like many sporting events in the UK, it has been called off due to Covid-19. The Hundred’s inaugural season will now happen in 2021.  Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media In a statement ECB chief Harrison said: “The situation we find ourselves in as a country means that delivery of The Hundred will not be possible this summer.  “Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we won’t get to realise our ambitions this year, The Hundred will go ahead in 2021 when we are s...

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1May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

‘Stay at Home Slam’: virtual tennis with Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and… Super Mario

There’s no majors on the schedule until the US Open in August due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but tennis fans can enjoy a grand slam with a difference this weekend. On Sunday 3 May eight of IMG’s top tennis clients - including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Kei Nishikori and Maria Sharapova - will participate alongside other celebrities in a live virtual tennis tournament titled the “Stay at Home Slam”.  Played on Mario Tennis Aces for Nintendo Switch, the Stay at Home Slam will see stars compete from their homes and each will receive $25,000 donated to the charity of their choice. The winner of the tournament will also receive an additional $1m in donation. As well as the all-star line-up on the virtual court, legendary tennis player John McEnroe and popular YouTube personality iJustine (...

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1May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Scottish Highlands up first on Rally the Globe’s updated events calendar 

Rally the Globe, a not-for-profit members’ club for owners of pre-1976 vintage and classic cars, has announced a revised events calendar for 2020, 2021 and 2022. With the coronavirus causing major travel restrictions, many of the club’s events – including the Round the World circumnavigation – have had to be cancelled.  Anticipating the likelihood of international travel regulations being gradually relaxed, the amended calendar commences this autumn with the first of two events set entirely in the UK. First up on the revised schedule – government advice permitting – is the spectacular Highland Thistle Rally in the Scottish Highlands from 4-9 October. The rally will begin and finish at a five-star hotel in St Andrews and the five-day route is open to all pre-1977 models. The second UK-b...

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1May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Sports events news – 1 May: Premier League ‘should be finished abroad’ says Gary Neville

Neville: complete EPL abroad Former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville suggests that the remaining Premier League fixtures should be played abroad in order to complete the 2019-20 season.  Sky Sports pundit Neville said: “If the Premier League are really serious about delivering the matches that remain in a safe environment they would move it to the two or three spots that are within three or four hours of this country that are coronavirus free. “They would take the Premier League players, broadcasters and media over, quarantine for a week or two and then deliver it in an environment that has proven it can handle this virus. There are a couple of hotspots in Europe that haven’t got coronavirus which could handle the Premier League finishing.” Newsletter: sign up for updates...

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30Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Sports events news 30 April: NBA, The Hundred, Stay at Home Slam

NBA at Walt Disney World Resort? The 2020 NBA season could potentially be completed with the remaining matches being played at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando - if and when coronavirus restrictions are lifted in the United States. The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania reports that a number of “different scenarios” have been drawn up by the NBA, which has been suspended indefinitely since 11 March.   Charania tweeted: “One possible playing ground for NBA if finishing season becomes safe for league and players: Walt Disney World Resort property in Orlando, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. League has kept different scenarios in mind.” Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media The Hundred postponed to 2021 After days of speculation the England and Wales Cr...

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29Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Women’s golf: LPGA Tour targets 2020 season restart in mid-July 

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has published a revised event calendar for 2020 with a target of restarting the season in mid-July.  Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Michigan will be the first event on the revised 2020 LPGA Tour calendar followed by the Marathon LPGA Classic in Ohio and ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey.  The Women’s PGA Championship major, which was meant to be held in June, has now been rescheduled for 8-11 October.  In a statement LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said: “One thing that has become clear is that there will be no ‘opening bell’ regarding a return to safe play in this new normal of the Covid-19 pandemic.  “To be honest, being ‘first’ has never been the goal when it comes to returning to play in this new normal. We have built a schedule th...

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29Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Sports events news 29 April: MotoGP, Tour de Yorkshire, Tokyo Olympic Games 

MotoGP cancels three races but aims for July start MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports has announced that the German, Dutch and Finnish grands prix have been cancelled.  The German GP was due to take place from 19-21 June while the Dutch GP and Finnish GP were scheduled for 26-28 June and 10-12 July respectively.  Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of these three important grands prix on the MotoGP calendar.  “The German GP is raced on a truly unique track with an incredible history, and the KymiRing is an exciting new venue set to welcome Grand Prix motorcycle racing back to Finland for the first time since 1982.  “The iconic TT Circuit Assen had the unique honour of being the only venue to have held a roun...

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28Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Cleveland aims to make the 2021 NFL Draft the ‘best event yet’

The spotlight will be on downtown Cleveland in 2021 when the home city of the Browns hosts the 86th NFL Draft.  It was announced this week by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Destination Cleveland and the Cleveland Browns that the 2021 NFL Draft will be held from 29 April to 1 May at locations around FirstEnergy Stadium and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. David Gilbert, president and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, revealed that the Ohio city is busy preparing for next year's huge American football festival.  Gilbert said: “We’re excited for Cleveland to ‘Rock The Clock’ as the host of next year’s NFL Draft and NFL Draft Experience – assuming large gatherings can take place without compromising the well-being of participants. “We, along w...

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