There is no doubt that COVID-19 has changed every industry. The sports industry has experienced many event cancellations and postponements, mostly affecting it and leading to significant losses. As the COVID-19 cases have decreased, some sports events have resumed, but with many course changes. Sports spectators must stay home and watch the match from their screens, and the players must rely on pre-tuned fan chanting in the airwaves to keep them motivated. Additionally, a series of COVID-19 tests for every person involved, from athletes, coaches, managers, sports event organizers, etc., must be carried out before a live sports event. That puts sports events companies in a difficult position.
Major sports events companies have so far shown solidarity with health ministries to curb the virus’s spread. That means sports events are not the same anymore, at least in the short term, as we hopefully wait to wipe away the virus. Sports events now focus on ensuring athletes, sports, and vendors during the few sporting activities resumed. COVID-19 has resulted in the adaptation of sporting events to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Chris Norminton says many sports events companies have had to take some measures during these difficult sporting times, including:
More safety care is in place.
Sports seem to be one of the riskiest events that could trigger a widespread transmission of covid 19. And sports such as soccer have more transmission risks than others. As a result, considering the risks involved in a particular sports event has been part and parcel of the sports events planning process. For instance, sports that involve close contact between athletes, such as boxing, have been categorized as high-risk sports, and more measures are needed to plan such an event.
As a result, high-risk events should be avoided at all costs until COVID-19 dies down. Low-risk sports event planning is more stringent and requires the participation of sports event companies and public health officials to examine any risks of a potential virus spread.
Seeking event insurances
Sports events will likely be canceled now and then in case of recurrent outbreaks of COVID-19. That means sports events are now more than ever considering the financial effects of event cancellations. Most seek event insurance and negotiate contracts limiting a sporting event’s negative economic impacts.
Considering event locations
Event locations are now limited to regions with less spread potential or no active cases of COVID-19. Since the event’s organizers must limit the risks of transmission, this means considering the regions that host the events more. They must have the right infrastructure but, at the same time, have promising news on the state of COVID-19 prevention.
Generally, COVID-19 has altered the security care and arrangements for sports events companies worldwide. Sports events companies have to put more consideration into the planning process now than ever as they establish measures to prevent any risks of a potential spread.
The final words
COVID-19 is still with us and continues to affect the sporting world. Sports event companies have no option but to provide events that align with health, safety, and labor to ensure safe sporting conditions.