ecisions are unfolding hourly as the British sporting world decides how best to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Postponements have been left up to individual governing bodies, who are under no obligation from the Government to cancel matches planned across the weekend.
However, many are choosing to do so anyway as a mark of respect to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who passed away at her Scottish residence at Balmoral on Thursday, aged 96.
Here is the very latest on the state of play across the sporting spectrum this weekend…
Football
All football fixtures in the UK have now been postponed this weekend, from the Premier League to grassroots level.
That includes the game throughout the pyramid in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
All midweek European games – across the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League – are expected to go ahead.
Rugby union
Friday night’s Premiership opener between Bristol and Bath has been pushed back to Saturday, made possible by the postponement of the football clash between Bristol City and Preston at Ashton Gate, while work continues to find a new date for the other postponed match between Sale and Northampton.
All rugby in England below the top-flight has been given the green light, including Championship matches on Friday evening.
Northampton’s Premiership Rugby Cup clash against Saracens was postponed on Thursday.
The Scottish Rugby Union postponed all domestic competitive games this weekend as a mark of respect and the women’s summer Test international between Scotland and Spain on Sunday is also off, as is all senior rugby in Wales over the weekend.
Cricket
England’s series-deciding Test match against South Africa is due to resume for day three on Saturday, the ECB have confirmed.
Day two at The Oval on Friday was postponed, with day one on Thursday having been abandoned due to persistent rain.
Horse racing
The final day of the Cazoo St Leger Festival at Doncaster on Saturday was switched to Sunday.
Racing at Southwell and Chelmsford on Thursday evening was abandoned. The BHA also announced the meetings scheduled for Friday – including the third day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster – were cancelled.
Boxing
Saturday night’s blockbuster women’s card at the O2 Arena headlined by a grudge match between long-time rivals Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall has been postponed, with October 15 targeted as a new date.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) has suspended all boxing due to take place this weekend.
Tennis
Next week’s Davis Cup Finals tournament in Glasgow will go ahead, the Lawn Tennis Association has confirmed.
The group stage event featuring Great Britain, the United States, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan is taking place at the Emirates Arena from September 13 to 18.
As a mark of respect for the Queen, there will be a minute’s silence at the start of each day’s play, the national anthem will be played and the British team will wear black armbands or ribbons.
Formula 1
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza will go ahead on Sunday as planned, with a minute’s silence held before the first practice session on Friday and drivers wearing black armbands.
There are three British drivers currently competing in F1 in Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes team-mate George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Rugby League
Rugby League will carry on at all levels across the coming weekend.
In a statement, the RFL said: “This has been a difficult decision – we have taken into account the desire expressed by the players and clubs at community level to come together to share their grief, and to celebrate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a former Patron of the Rugby Football League.
“Due respect will be paid to Her Majesty before all fixtures, with a period of silence and where possible the playing of the National Anthem, and the wearing of black armbands.”
Cycling
Friday’s Tour of Britain stage was promptly cancelled and later on Thursday evening the rest of the tour, which was set to finish on the Isle of Wight on Sunday, was called off entirely.
Golf
The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth will restart on Saturday morning, having been postponed on Friday.
Athletics
Both the Great North Run and Parkrun events will continue this weekend as scheduled. Organisers cancelled the Great North Run’s 5k sister event on Friday but Sunday’s half marathon will go ahead.
Great North Run founder Brendan Foster said: “We’re aiming to have tens of thousands of people coming together, but the mood will be very different.
“They will be coming together to pay tribute to our great Queen, which is absolutely right.
“We’re planning and working hard now to organise the event in a manner that it pays tribute, is respectful and gives these people a chance to express their own feelings and also continue to raise money for charities, and to take part in an event they have trained for months and years for.”
This article will be further updated throughout the day.
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
