Sports Business

28Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Business

British Touring Car Championship: revised 2020 provisional calendar announced

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTTC) series organisers TOCA has published a revised provisional calendar for 2020.  This year’s championship will feature nine events and a total of 27 races. The 2020 season is now scheduled to start on 1-2 August at Donington Park and will conclude at Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on 14-15 November. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media Alan Gow, BTCC chief executive, said: “These are incredibly challenging times for the whole nation. Through it all, we have seen the importance of being both adaptable and pragmatic… and the BTCC is no different. So it’s entirely logical to draft plans and lock-in our provisional dates, with the ability to amend those if circumstances dictate.  “Obviously this calendar presents a hectic...

Read More

28Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Sports events news 28 April: Ligue 1, Tokyo Olympics, Tour de France

Ligue 1 season is over French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced that sport in the country will not resume until September, including behind closed doors.  France has banned sporting events gathering more than 5,000 people until September and this means the end of the 2019-20 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 football seasons.  Phillipe said: “The big sporting affairs cannot occur before September. The 2019-2020 season of professional sports, including football, will not be able to resume.  “It will be possible, on sunny days, to practice an individual sporting activity outdoors, obviously respecting the rules of social distancing. It will not be possible, neither to practice sport in covered places, nor team or contact sports.” Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media T...

Read More

27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Chase Carey is ‘confident’ the F1 2020 season will start in Austria on 5 July 

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey has announced that the F1 2020 season is scheduled to start with the Austrian Grand Prix in July.  It has been confirmed the French GP will not go ahead - the tenth race to be cancelled or postponed - and plans are in place for the championship to begin in Austria from 3-5 July.  In a statement F1 boss Carey said: “Although it was announced that the French Grand Prix will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer.  “We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend.  “September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the G...

Read More

27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Sports events news 27 April: Premier League, F1, UFC, BTTC

Premier League targets June return The 20 English Premier League clubs will hold a conference call this week to discuss plans to resume the 2019-20 season.  According to The Times English football’s top-flight has devised “Project Restart”, with plans for the season to begin again on 8 June and matches to be played behind closed doors at “approved stadiums”. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media F1 2020 season to begin in Austria on 5 July  Formula 1 has confirmed that the French Grand Prix has become the tenth race to be called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.  It was also announced that the British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be held with no fans should the 19 July event go ahead.  However, F1 CEO Chase Carey has revealed plans for the 2020 season to st...

Read More

26Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

2022 NFL Draft: Las Vegas confirmed as host city  

Las Vegas may have missed out on hosting the 2020 NFL Draft due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Nevada city has been awarded the event in 2022.  Confirming the news NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: “I’m pleased to announce that Las Vegas will host the 2022 NFL Draft, where we look forward to holding an even bigger and better event.” Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), added: “We’re thrilled the NFL has given us the opportunity to host the Draft in Las Vegas in 2022. We plan to make the 87th annual NFL Draft an ‘Only Vegas’ experience football fans will never forget.” Caesars Entertainment will host the NFL Draft Main Stage, which will be constructed next to the Caesars Forum Conference Centre. Caesars Forum will be t...

Read More

26Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Covid-19 impact study: only 53% of sports events in 2020 will be held and industry to lose $61.6bn in revenue

A study by international sports marketing firm Two Circles has predicted that only 53% of sports events in 2020 will now take place due to Covid-19. With the coronavirus pandemic forcing the cancellation or postponement of many events Two Circles also estimates that the interruption to live sports will see revenues drop from $135.3bn to $73.7bn - a $61.6bn deficit. Commenting on the study Gareth Balch, Two Circles CEO, said: “Sports properties are keen to return as soon as possible as the longer the sports calendar is on hiatus, the worse the financial impact will be. “However, sports should – and will – only return when it is deemed safe to do so, and with the support of all relevant government and medical authorities. Even hosting sports without crowds poses a complex challenge. “Com...

Read More

26Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

#SportsBiz events news: SportsPro Live 2020, Football Innovation Forum, World Football Summit Asia

SportsPro Live rescheduled SportsPro has announced that its flagship event, SportsPro Live, has been rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The event will now take place at the Olympic Park in London from 17-18 September.  In an statement SportsPro said: “We can’t wait to reconnect [in person!] with the entire sports business network, at our official venues across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.” 2020 sports business events: conferences, exhibitions, awards Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media FIF20 and WFS Asia cancelled World Football Summit (WFS) has suspended all on-site events until July meaning that the Football Innovation Forum (FIF20) and WFS Asia will not be going ahead.  WFS said in a statement: “The coronavirus pandemic is posing an ...

Read More

16Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

PGA Tour adjusts 2020 schedule and plans to resume season on 11 June

Golf’s PGA Tour is planning to resume the 2020 season on 11 June at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. The Charles Schwab Challenge will be the first tournament on the revised schedule and will be one of four events that will be played behind closed doors. The Tour will follow the recommendations of local and state authorities and continually review available Covid-19-related protocols. Jay Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner, said: “The health and safety of all associated with the PGA Tour and our global community continues to be our No.1 priority, and our hope is to play a role – responsibly – in the world’s return to enjoying the things we love.  “Today’s announcement is another positive step for our fans and players as we look toward the future, but as we’ve stressed on s...

Read More

15Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Tour de France to start on 29 August as UCI revises 2020 road cycling calendar

Cycling’s global governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has announced a number of changes to the 2020 road events calendar because of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The UCI confirmed that the postponement of competitions on the UCI International Road Calendar is extended by one month until 1 July and events on the UCI WorldTour are suspended until 1 August.  The 2020 Tour de France, which was due to take place in June and July, has also been postponed and will now be held from 29 August to 20 September.  Meanwhile, the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Aigle-Martigny, Switzerland, stays on schedule for 20-27 September. Giro d’Italia will take place after the UCI Worlds and will be followed by the Vuelta Ciclista a España. UCI president David Lappartient said: “I would lik...

Read More

7Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

F1 working on revised 2020 calendar as Canadian GP is ninth race to be called off

Formula 1 is working with race promoters on a revised calendar for the 2020 season following the postponement of the Canadian GP.    The race in Montreal, which was planned for 14 June, is the ninth grand prix to be postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus. It's planned that Canada will now take place later in the year and race organisers said: “This postponement was not a decision that was taken lightly or easily. “Over the past month, we have been in constant communication with Formula 1 and representatives from the city of Montréal, Tourism Montreal and both provincial and federal governments.  “We have heard the directives issued by public health officials and as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic are following the expert guidance provided by the authorities.  “Our tho...

Read More

7Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

The Open cancelled: 2020 golf major calendar is revised

There will be no Open Championship in 2020 after the British golf major was cancelled due to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.  The 149th Open was scheduled for 12-19 July, but The R&A has announced that it will now next take place at Royal St George’s from 11-18 July 2021. The 150th Open will be played at St Andrews from 10-17 July 2022. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “We care deeply about this historic Championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but this pandemic is severely affecting the UK and we have to act responsibly. It is the right thing to do.  “I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing The Open this year but ...

Read More

2Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

British Horseracing Authority: jump racing in the UK suspended until July 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that jump racing in the United Kingdom is suspended until the beginning of July.  However, detailed proposals are being developed for a resumption of flat racing from 1 May, if possible, with meetings held behind closed doors. The BHA added: “Racing will begin on the flat and behind closed doors to minimise demands on emergency services.” Newsletter: sign up for a weekly update from Sports Tourism Media Richard Wayman, chief operating officer of the BHA, said in a statement: “The decision to lose jump racing until July was not one which was taken lightly and we are very conscious of the impact this will have on many across our sport.  “We are working closely with the horsemen, racecourses and Levy Board to ensure the sport is ready...

Read More

1Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Wimbledon cancelled: official statements from the All England Club 

The All England Club (AELTC) has confirmed that this year’s Wimbledon Championships are off.  London’s grand slam event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis and tennis fans will have to wait until the summer of 2021 to watch the world’s best players compete on the grass courts in SW19.  The 134th Championships will instead be staged from 28 June to 11 July 2021. Official statements Ian Hewitt, AELTC chairman “This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen.  “It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of al...

Read More

30Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

‘A light at the end of this dark tunnel’: 2021 dates confirmed for Tokyo Olympics

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach believes the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will provide a light at the end of the “dark tunnel” that is the coronavirus. This summer’s mega-event was postponed for one year because of the pandemic and the new dates for 2021 have now been confirmed.  The summer Olympic Games will take place in Japan’s capital city from 23 July to 8 August and the Paralympic Games will be held from 24 August to 5 September.  IOC chief Bach said: “I want to thank the International Federations for their unanimous support and the Continental Associations of National Olympic Committees for the great partnership and their support in the consultation process over the last few days. I would also like to thank the IOC Athletes’ Commission, with whom we ...

Read More

29Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

European football season would ‘probably be lost’ if not restarted by end of June, says Uefa president Ceferin

Aleksander Ceferin, president of European football’s governing body Uefa, has revealed that a number of plans have been drawn up to try and complete the 2019-20 season.  However, should fixtures not be resumed by the end of June then the season will “probably be lost”. Football across Europe is currently suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic and the May finals of Uefa’s two major men’s competitions - the Champions League and Europa League - have been postponed.  The Uefa European Championship - Euro 2020 - has also been delayed for a year and will now take place in the summer of 2021. In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Ceferin said: “Nobody knows when the pandemic will end. We have a plan A, B or C: to restart in mid-May, in June or at the end of June. “If t...

Read More

29Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto: 2020 F1 season may be extended with races in January

Mattia Binotto, the team principal of Scuderia Ferrari, says the 2020 F1 season could be extended into next year with races taking place in January.  The opening eight grands prix of this year have been called off due to the coronavirus pandemic and as things stand the next scheduled race on the 2020 championship calendar is the Canadian GP on 14 June in Montreal. However, Canada is also under threat of being postponed or cancelled. Last week Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey issued a statement saying “when the situation improves, we’ll be ready to race” and it’s hoped that the 2020 calendar could feature between 15 and 18 races. Carey said: “While at present no-one can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve, it will improve and when it does, we will be ready to go racing again. ...

Read More

29Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Australia wins right to host the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup

Amid the cancellations and postponements of many major sporting events in 2020, there is some good news from the world of women’s basketball.  FIBA, the sport’s global governing body, has announced that Australia will host the Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2022.  Basketball Australia and the Russian Basketball Federation were the two candidate countries vying to host the flagship tournament. Following a video conference it was confirmed that Australia will host the event for a second time. The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be held for ten days in September and October 2022. A total of 38 matches featuring 12 international teams will be played in two venues in Sydney’s Olympic Park. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media What the officials said  Hamane Nian...

Read More

15Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Sports Travel, Stadiums & Venues

Etihad Arena: naming rights deal signed for new venue at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways has secured the exclusive naming rights for a new 18,000-capacity venue at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.  Called the Etihad Arena, the multi-purpose indoor entertainment facility is being developed by Abu Dhabi-based Miral and according to reports will open this year.    Operated by Flash Entertainment, the Etihad Arena has been designed to accommodate large-scale and private events, offering a capacity ranging from 200 to 18,000 people. Once open, the venue will host a variety of events including sporting competitions, corporate events, cultural performances and concerts.  The Etihad Arena will be a major addition to Yas Bay Waterfront, which will also include the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, a beach club as well as a pier that boasts 12 licensed cafes and restaurants, and 19...

Read More

1Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

March 2020 sports business events, conferences and exhibitions

There’s plenty of events on the #SportsBiz schedule in March 2020.  Highlights include SXSW’s sports conference in Austin, World Football Summit Africa in South Africa, Sport Events Congress in Canada, Sports Business European Congress in Barcelona, and The Scottish Golf Show in Glasgow. Here we take a look at the sports business and sports tourism conferences, events and exhibitions during the month. 2020 sports business and sports tourism calendar: events, conferences, exhibitions, awards Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media #SportsBiz events in March 2020  Sportel Miami When: 3-6 March Where: Miami, Florida, USA Website: sportelamerica.com ITB Berlin What: the world’s largest travel show When: 4-8 March Where: Berlin, Germany Sport exhibitors: adventure, golf, ...

Read More

22Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

SportsPro OTT Summit Asia: Singapore event rescheduled due to coronavirus outbreak

The 2020 SportsPro OTT Summit Asia in Singapore in March has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak and will now take place from October 21-22.  In a statement London-based SportsPro said: “Following consultation with domestic stakeholders, partners and advisory board members, SportsPro has decided to postpone the OTT Summit Asia, previously scheduled to take place in Singapore on 25-26 March 2020. “Amid continued uncertainty as to the spread and impact of the coronavirus, the decision has been taken to avoid further impact to schedules and minimise any health risks for attendees that may exist at the time of the event.  “SportsPro can confirm the OTT Summit Asia will now take place later in the year on the 21-22 October 2020, in Singapore.” SportsPro says that any passes previ...

Read More