Coronavirus updates: Impact on Australian Sport and Stadiums
NOTE: This article will no longer be updated. For Covid-19 updates for 2021, please refer to this new article >
The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a profound impact on Australian sport. Restrictions were announced which essentially shut down sport around the world - now we're on the road to recovery. We have the latest updates and a summary of each sport and competition.
The coronavirus situation came to a head on Thursday March 12 when the NBA season was suspended. The following day, the Australian F1 Grand Prix was cancelled and there was a snowball effect around the world. The ODI series and NBL GF were played in empty stadiums but were both later cancelled. Sports that did allow crowds to attend over that weekend generally had lower-than-expected attendances. AFL, NRL and the A-League were then played behind closed doors, before all three seasons were suspended. Now we're coming out the other side and sport is returning.
Austadiums has the most comprehensive listing of sports events and we’ll keep these updated, marking events as P for postponed and C for cancelled, while updated fixtures will be published as soon as they're confirmed. We also now mark events which are closed to the public or have restricted capacity.
View list of postponed/cancelled sports events >
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Below is a summary of the impact COVID-19 is having on Australia's major sports and competitions, as well as what crowd numbers are permitted to attend events in each state as we recover. We’ll keep this updated as information comes to hand. You can also view information on the respective competition pages and a list of postponed/cancelled events here.
UPDATED: SATURDAY 27th JUNE 2020
Crowd limits around Australia - guide only as additional specific rules may apply in various states and venues.
| NOW | FUTURE | |
| ACT | 2,500 max. | 25% capacity from July 11 |
| NSW | ~600 max. | 25% capacity / 10,000 max. from July 1 |
| NT | ||
| QLD | 10,000 max. | |
| SA | 5,000 max. | 50% capacity from June 29 |
| TAS | 500 max. | |
| VIC | No Crowds | |
| WA | 50% capacity | 100% capacity from July 18 (TBC) |
AFL
The AFL season resumed on June 11, with games initially played behind closed doors. The early rounds of the updated fixture has been released and is now available here on Austadiums. The season has been reduced to 17 rounds and games will be shortened (16 minute quarters plus time-on) and the Grand Final is expected to be played in late-October. Initially, WA clubs will be based on the Gold Coast (SA clubs were also to be based there, but are now remaining in SA). Previously, the 2020 AFL season commenced as scheduled, however matches were played in empty stadiums. The fixture was to remain as is for the opening 4 rounds, while the fixture was to be re-done for the final 13 rounds. The AFL intends to play out the season and said the Grand Final could be played as late as December if required, possibly away from the MCG. State leagues including the VFL, SANFL & WAFL have bee postponed until at least May 31 with a re-start date TBC. The final round of the AFLW season was scrapped.
View AFL Fixture | Stream AFL matches LIVE on Kayo >
NRL
The NRL season restarted on May 28 with games initially played behind closed doors. The fixtures are now available on Austadiums. State of Origin will be played on November 4, 11 and 18. The NZ Warriors have based themselves in NSW. Previously, the season was suspended on Monday 23/3, following two rounds of the season, after round two matches were played behind closed doors.
View NRL Fixture | Stream NRL matches LIVE on Kayo >
A-LEAGUE
The final 27 games of the 2019/20 A-League season will resume on July 16, with the remaining regular-season games to be played in 28 days, followed by a one-week finals series. Fixtures will be announced soon and published on Austadiums. Previously, matches had continued in empty stadiums. Due to Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix being in quarantine for 14 days, their matches were postponed, while Wellington Phoenix were based in Sydney due to the various border controls. Several changes were made to the A-League fixture. The W-League Grand Final was played behind closed doors and won by Melbourne City.
View A-League Fixture | Watch A-League matches on-demand with Kayo >
SUPER RUGBY
The Super Rugby AU competition commences on July 3, to replace the 2020 Super Rugby season which was cancelled at the conclusion of round 8. The competition features Australia's four Super Rugby teams, plus the Western Force. The 22-game fixture has been released and is available here on Austadiums. Previously, the Super Rugby season was suspended and effectively cancelled, while it has been announced the Global Rapid Rugby season has now been cancelled. International trans-tasman Rugby may return in late 2020.
View Super Rugby AU Fixture | Stream matches LIVE on Kayo >
SUPER NETBALL
The 2020 Super Netball season will commence on August 1 with a full 60-match season to take place. As soon as the fixtures are confirmed, they'll be available here on Austadiums. Previously, the pre-season tournament scheduled for Ken Rosewall Arena was cancelled and the 2020 Super Netball season delayed.
NBL
Games 2 & 3 of the Grand Final series were played in empty arena’s. Games 4 and 5 have been cancelled - Perth Wildcats were named NBL20 champions. The NBL hopes to commence the 2020/21 season on or around December 3 and conclude around mid-late April, with fans able to attend matches.
View NBL Fixture
CRICKET
Game 1 of the current ODI Series between Australia & New Zealand was played at an empty SCG. Games 2 and 3 have been postponed, but may be played later in the year. The final round of the Sheffield Shield has been cancelled, as has the Final itself, with NSW declared champions.
SUPERCARS
The Supercars season will resume on June 27-28 in Sydney. Further races will be announced shortly. Previously, the Melbourne Supercars event at the F1 Grand Prix was cancelled following the cancellation of the Australian GP and the following three races (Tasmania, Auckland and Perth) were postponed. The Supercars have gone virtual in the meantime, with drivers participating in the Supercars Eseries.
Stay tuned on this article as we’ll continue to update the information for each sport and competition as it comes to hand. Keep on visiting Austadiums to view up-to-date sports fixtures and event schedules around Australia.
