IPL, Boston Marathon & more: A look at the top sporting events this September

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August 25, 2020

IPL, Boston Marathon & more: A look at the top sporting events this September

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With the announcement of the COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing protocols, the sports industry in particular felt the impact of not being able to host events that saw fans throng to stadiums to cheer on their favourite teams. But as they say, the show (game, in this case) must go on. Today, major leagues and events across the globe are announcing a comeback to the fields, albeit without the fans, but that shouldn’t spoil your plans of being a part of the fun. Here are the top 4 national and international sporting events to look forward to as they strive to uplift your “2020” mood.

1. Indian Premier League – 19th September to 10th November 2020
The mere announcement of the IPL, which will be held September onwards, was enough to create excitement and anticipation among fans who were eagerly waiting for their favourite ‘festival’ of the year to return. While the tournament will be played in the United Arab Emirates this year, fans can enjoy bingeing and throwing virtual viewing parties at home. You can also catch re-runs on TV or streaming platforms. All in all, even if Indian fans may not be able to watch the action in stadiums, the buzz will only intensify in millions of homes across India. The enthusiasm for this year’s IPL will also result in an increased consumption of Fantasy Cricket with cricket enthusiasts flocking to mobile gaming and esports platforms such as Mobile Premier League (MPL), which is also the principal sponsor of IPL’s KKR team this year.

2. Caribbean Premier League – 18th August to 10th September 2020
Though international cricketing tournaments have already begun, CPL will be the first major T20 league to take place after the outbreak of COVID-19. The entire 2020 season of the Caribbean Premier League will be played in Trinidad and Tobago from August 18 to September 10. As a tournament that attracts global talent, it is a growing favourite among Indian fans, and this year you can catch the action live on screen as it is being streamed across multiple portals.

3. Virtual Boston Marathon – Between Sept. 7 and 14 2020
The lockdown caused the cancellation of marathons and half marathons all across the world, which was quite disheartening for athletes from all walks of life who train for these events throughout the year. However, there’s a silver lining: a shift to virtual marathons and half marathons in 2020. The Boston Athletic Association recently announced that the 124th Boston Marathon will be held as a virtual event. Whether you’re in India or America, you can now be a part of the action. All you have to do is complete a continuous marathon within a six-hour time period any time between September 7 and 14. To make the run feel authentic, you are given a printable finish line and winners break tape to recreate at least some aspects of the traditional race. At the end, those who signed up to run the 2020 Boston Marathon can still walk away knowing they were a part of the legendary event.

4. Premier League 2020-21 – 12th September 2020 – 23rd May 2021
Football fans have a lot to look forward to, starting mid-September. Premier League weekends are back with the new season starting mid-September onwards.. The UEFA Champions League and The UEFA Europa League fixtures are already underway amidst lockdown restrictions, but that’s not stopping fans from tuning in to their screens, and keep the cheering, and banter that comes along with the game going.

From Olympics To Football & Cricket: Sports 2020 Stands Cancelled

Half-Time

The summer of sport is in jeopardy. As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the globe, organisers are cutting their losses and either cancelling or postponing marquee sporting events till the public health crisis abates.

The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed.

Here’s a roundup of all the major sporting events that have been upended by coronavirus.

Cricket

The Indian Premier League, which was slated to begin on March 29, has postponed the start of its thirteenth season to April 15. England called off its tour of Sri Lanka. The English Cricket Board said that the decision went “beyond cricket.”

India and South Africa cancelled international matches. It was initially decided that games would be played behind closed doors. Member of the South African team are self-isolating after it was revealed that they stayed in the same hotel in Lucknow as Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, who tested positive for the coronavirus.

The ICC has not amended its Future Tours Programme, but may be forced to do so for bilateral series scheduled to take place in the coming months.

Football

International tournaments like Euro 2020 and the Copa America have been moved to the summer of 2021. Club football has also been disrupted. The Premier League suspended games on March 13 after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi contracted Covid-19.

All other major European leagues like Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga, and Italy’s Serie A have been suspended. All Champions League and Europa League games have been postponed indefinitely. Football leagues in Asia and Latin America have also been cancelled. The Indian Super League final was played behind closed doors in Goa.

Tennis

The French Open, which was scheduled to be held between May 24 and June 7, has be postponed to late September, meaning that it will happen a week after the US Open. Meanwhile, top ATP events like the Miami Open and the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, were cancelled.

The sport’s governing body said that all tour event stand cancelled till April 27. The situation will be reevaluated then. WTA events have also been impacted. The Fed Cup will not happen as planned in Budapest, in April, as will other tournaments.

Basketball

The NBA suspended its season on March 11 after an unnamed Utah Jazz player was found to have tested positive for the coronavirus, barely moments before his team took on Oklahoma City in a league game.

This decision comes in the wake of individual teams like the Golden State Warriors barring fans from attending home games. The college basketball season in the United States has been put on hold. Europe’s top competition, the Europleague, announced that no games will be played till April 11.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said last week that there is likelihood of the season being cancelled, and that the suspension would probably last for “at least 30 days.”

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