Coronavirus Pandemic Distruption and Attendance

The regular structure of professional sport has been devastated by the Coronavirus pandemic. During March 2020 almost all leagues were postponed and some even cancelled. When they were restarted, most games took place behind closed doors and fans were not allowed into stadiums/arenas.

As we emerge into 2021 sports leagues are trying to get back on track, and some fans are gradually being allowed back into sporting venues. This is especially true in Australia & New Zealand where the Coronavirus has been much better controlled.

The information below is an overview of the latest developments as they happen:

Last Updated:

The CFL

The entire 2020 Canadian Football League season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. There are plans for a shortened season to go ahead starting on August 05, 2021, although decisions around fan attendance at games are yet to be made.

IPL

The IPL was postponed part way through the 2021 season due to escalating Coronavirus cases in India. The league is planned to resume in the UAE in September 2021.

English Premier League

Premier League Teams in England in 'Tier 2' areas were allowed up to 2,000 fans, or 50% of their stadiums capacity (whichever was the greater) from December 02, 2020. However, the UK is currently under a national lockdown so all games are being played behind closed doors.

The English Pyramid

National League North & South (Tier 6) had their seasons cancelled on February 19, 2021, and all results up to that point were made 'null and void'.

All leagues in the Football Pyramid below Tier 6 were terminated during February 2021 for the 2nd season running due to the UK national lockdown.

Champions League

All games are currently being played behind closed doors and x3 last 16 ties will now need to be played in different venues due to travel restrictions. Atlético Madrid vs. Chelsea will be played in Romania, Mönchengladbach vs Manchester City & Leipzig vs Liverpool will both be played in Hungary.

More details can be seen on the UEFA Website.

NBA

The NBA season had a delayed start and got underway on December 22, 2020. 20c b teams have to-date allowed some limited in-person attendance, including the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and the Utah Jazz. Due to cross border Canada to USA travel restrictions the Toronto Raptors will start the season playing in Tampa, Florida. More information can be seen on the NBA Website, and attendance figures can be seen on the ESPN website.

NFL

19 of the 32 teams allowed a limited number of fans to attend games. The team with the largest regular-season attendance was the Dallas Cowboys where there was an average of 28,000 per home game. More info can be seen on the ESPN Website and attendance figures can be seen in the ESPN stats section.

NHL

The NHL season had a delayed start and got underway on January 13 2021. Due to cross border (Canada to USA) travel restrictions the 7 Canadian teams will form their own division and only play each other during the regular season. Currently, 19 teams are allowing fans to attend including the Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning & The Florida Panthers.

More info can be seen on Hockeydb.com

MLS

Major League Soccer will kick off the 2021 season about a month late on April 17, 2021. All three Canadian teams will relocate to bases in the USA for the forseable future.

MLB

Major League Baseball started a full 162 game season on April 01, 2021. All teams will be permitting fans from 12% of capacity (4,500) at the Boston Red Sox right up to 42% of capacity (21,000) at the Colorado Rockies. The Toronto Blue Jays will play in Florida due to cross border Canada to USA travel restrictions.

More info can be seen on the CBS Sports website.

Rugby Premiership

The Rugby Premiership was placed on a 2-week 'circuit breaker' after round 6 lasted until Jan 29, 2021. Fixtures have now resumed but continue to be played behind closed doors.

As a result of the disrupted season there will be no relegation this year which will result in a 13 team competition for 2021-2022.

Rugby Championship

The start of the season was delayed until March 2021 (this is from a normal start date of September) and London Scottish will not take part due to the financial implications of playing behind closed doors.

Rugby Super League

The season start was delayed until March 26, 2021 (from a normal start date of late January), and all matches are being played behind closed doors.

Super Rugby

Super Rugby was effectively ended by the travel restrictions which were implemented to control the Coronavirus Pandemic. The competition, however, will continue in 2021 but with only two leagues in Australia & New Zealand. The leagues will act as separate entities until the end of the season when it is hoped all teams will play a cross-over tournament called Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. South African, Argentinian and Japanese teams will no longer be involved.

Aussie Big Bash

The 2020-2021 season began as scheduled in December 2020, however, the location format is very different this season, with no traditional home and away games. Instead, the tournament will move between 10 different locations one at a time. There will be fans in attendance but they will be limited in most venues to between 25%-60% of the overall capacity.

Report from theroar.com/au

A-League

The Australian A-League is running to schedule and playing in front of reduced capacity crowds. However, the leagues only team from New Zealand (the Wellington Phoenix) have had to relocate to Wollongong, Australia to remove any cross country travel.

Bundesliga

After allowing a limited number of fans at the start of the season this decision was reversed and no fans are currently allowed to attend matches.

La Liga

No fans are currently allowed to attend matches.

Serie A

No fans are currently allowed to attend matches.

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