SportsInnovation 2020 cancelled 

SportsInnovation 2020 has been called off amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The bi-annual event was launched in 2018 as a means of giving both established companies and start-ups the chance to showcase their products to a specialist sports industry audience. The first event drew almost 1,000 guests from 21 countries.

However, with the German government both banning mass gatherings and closing its borders, organiser Messe Düsseldorf has been left with no choice but to postpone the event.

A statement from the company said that “the quality of the event can no longer be guaranteed due to the increasingly dynamic developments in relation to the coronavirus.

“The joint partners, DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga as the conceptual sponsor and the gold sponsor Deltatre respect this decision by Messe Düsseldorf. In close coordination with the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, Messe Düsseldorf will communicate an alternative date in good time and with the involvement of the exhibitors in order to guarantee all parties involved the greatest possible planning security.”

Werner M. Dornscheidt, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said: “Our partners, exhibitors, visitors and the media can rely on us to act calmly and responsibly even in difficult situations. In addition to the health of our customers and employees, our top priority is to ensure planning reliability. That is why we are currently doing everything we can to find a new date with our partners as quickly as possible.”

This has become the latest show to be postponed as a result of coronavirus. Next month’s NAB Show was called off last week, while other cancelled events include SXSW, Cabsat, MIPTV, the European launch of Disney+.