Polish Speedway Postponed until May 22nd

[racers and royals 8,711]

Polish authorities have just announced the postponement of rounds 1 and 2 in April plus the Golden helmet qualification. The Extraleague are expected to follow suit later today.

Edited April 22, 2020 by racers and royals

[racers and royals 8,711]

Extraleague have followed suit. This is their statement- Google translation.

In the light of the events concerning the spread of COVID-19, the Management Board of Ekstraliga Żużlowa sp.z o.o. in consultation with the Supervisory Board, the Polish Motor Association and all clubs, decided to cancel the first two rounds of PGE Ekstraliga in the 2020 season.

Thus, the best speedway league in the world will start, if the situation allows, on April 17/19 (3rd round). In turn, matches of the 1st and 2nd rounds will be played on new dates, which are also reserve dates for PGE Ekstraliga 2020 games.

1st round New date
April 24, 2020
BETARD SPARTA Wrocław - MOTOR Lublin
ELTROX FIBER Częstochowa - MRGARDEN GKM Grudziądz
April 26, 2020
TRULY.WORK STAL Gorzów - FOGO UNIA Leszno
ROW Rybnik - FALUBAZ Zielona Góra

2nd round New date
June 12, 2020
FOGO UNIA Leszno - BETARD SPARTA Wrocław
MRGARDEN GKM Grudziadz - ROW Rybnik
June 14, 2020
FALUBAZ Zielona Góra - ELTROX WOOLER Częstochowa
MOTOR Lublin - TRULY.WORK STAL Gorzów

Depending on the development of the situation, any further decisions will be taken by April 1.

- The rule that guides us and which will guide us is the safety of all participants of PGE Ekstraliga 2020 and the playing of matches with the support of fans. Sport in the current situation must come to the background. However, we are also perfectly aware of the financial aspects of clubs and players. We are constantly looking at the situation and we will follow the decisions taken by the state authorities. We are prepared for all variants related to subsequent decisions regarding the games, but at this point we should all focus primarily on reducing as much as we can - said Wojciech Stępniewski, President of Ekstraliga Speedway.

Edited March 13, 2020 by racers and royals

[PolskiZuzel 329]

Polish speedway club finances are based on four legs. - writes sportowefakty.pl - 30 percent are receipts from tickets, 20% comes from the local government, 25% from TV broadcasters and another 25 % from sponsors. At the moment, it looks like each of these legs is in a bad way. Many speedway sponsors are transport companies that are already in trouble. In a moment they will be looking how to save their businesses, and not dealing with sponsorships.

Local governments will also have more important problems than sport. The Speedway Extraleague, which pays each club an average of 2.5 million PLN (£500 000.00) from the television and sponsorship deals, can not be sure that it will be able to do so. Television has paid for all matches, the sponsor has expectations for exposure. If the conditions will not be fullfiled, renegotiation and reduction of funds will occur - says Mr Kryjom, former speedway manager, on sportowefakty.pl

If it would be possible to start in May or June (according to the forecasts of health experts this second scenario is possible), then there will be no big tragedy. - As a last resort, we can extend the season and go in October or even November - says Mr Jerzy Kanclarz, president of  Polonia Bydgoszcz .

Worse, if it ends as Robert Dowhan, a shareholder of Zielona Góra predicts, who believes that we can slowly get ready for a year without speedway. - It could be the death for our sport - assesses Mr Kanclerz, on sportowefakty.pl because then the domino effect will work. Clubs will suddenly lose almost all influence. Sponsors and local governments can even ask for a refund of money already paid. If clubs lose, players will lose. In this situation, many of them will pray that they do not have to return part of the amount already paid as  part of signed contracts.

[waytogo28 2,054]

On 3/13/2020 at 8:01 PM, racers and royals said:

if the situation allows, on April 17/19

It looks more an more likely that the health situation in Poland will not allow it. More likely 17 / 19 July ( if the situation allows then )

[racers and royals 8,711]

Polish Extraleague and Div 1 and 2  have announced all meetings scheduled for April have been postponed

[Mark 1,497]

No speedway in the UK until June 15th at the earliest.   With so much international travel needed regrettably I cant other countries will start any earlier.  

Edited March 27, 2020 by Mark

[racers and royals 8,711]

Polish authorities have announced all Speedway postponed until May 22nd at the earliest. It is now suggested if it does resume it will be without fans in the stadiums.

Edited April 22, 2020 by racers and royals

[steve69 49]

Ekstraliga may run without fans but Liga 1 & 2 unlikely to race in empty stadiums as they get most of their revenue through the turnstiles etc whereas Ekstraliga get there`s via TV.

[Tim G 511]

2 hours ago, racers and royals said:

Polish authorities have announced all Speedway postponed until May 22nd at the earliest. It is now suggested if it does resume it will be without fans in the stadiums.

If that does happen I wonder if any British tv companies will try and show it as live sport will still be in such short supply.

[one of clubs 116]

There is a small column in today's Daily Mirror reporting the above and it says the season will start in june or early july. The Polish authorities are allegedly demanding that every rider that rides in Poland must live there for the season. 

[BluTiger 21,657]