This weekend, there are a couple of sporting events being held that you can watch on TV or online via livestream. Here’s a run down of some of the live sports events to watch out for…
Formula 1 kicks off this weekend.
The 2020 Formula 1 is finally set to get underway in Austria this weekend, four months after the intended start of what had been a hugely-anticipated season was delayed. Austria’s Red Bull Ring, originally scheduled to be the year’s 11th round, becomes the first European venue to open a season since 1966 and will host the year’s first two rounds.
Together with the drivers, sports authorities have been working on hugely extensive protocols to ensure grand prix venues are COVID-secure for the sport’s return and, crucially, that its presence in countries does not impact local infrastructure. All attending personnel will be tested before and during events, while teams are being kept apart at the circuit and distancing measures introduced. It’s still an F1 weekend, but not exactly how you would expect.
Formula 1 teams have already agreed to a package of cost-cutting changes to help the sport ride out the coronavirus pandemic. Teams voted to accept a plan to lower the budget cap to be introduced next year by $30m to $145m (£114m). This will be reduced again to $140m in 2022 and $135m for the period 2023-25.
European Football round up
With the battle for the LaLiga title entering its final stages, Real Madrid sits firmly in the driver’s seat with a four-point lead over second-placed Barcelona. Both teams face tricky away matches in Match-Day 34 against Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal respectively, while Atletico Madrid host Mallorca in a game that could have an impact at both ends of the table. Here are the key games this weekend.
Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to four points after a 1-0 victory over Getafe CF on Thursday night. With their cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid holding Barcelona to a draw at Camp Nou on Tuesday evening, Real Madrid now need just four more wins to regain the LaLiga crown. This weekend, they will be looking to extend their six-game winning streak since the restart of the league campaign when they travel to face in-form Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona face another huge challenge on Sunday as they meet a Villarreal side who have won five of their last six league games, taking 16 points from a possible 18.
French Open planning for 50-60 percent Fan Attendance
French Open organizers are planning for this year’s event to go ahead with spectators present at a level between 50 and 60 percent of full capacity.
The grand slam event in Paris is scheduled to take place between September 27 and October 11.
It was recently pushed back by one week as the ATP Tour and WTA Tour announced their schedules to return, the tournament having initially been postponed from its May start date due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Having held those discussions, the tournament set a target of 50 to 60 per cent of capacity on Thursday, as they confirmed ticket sales will open to the general public on July 16, with priority purchasers having the chance to buy from July 9.
“The Roland Garros tournament announces the opening of the ticket and specifies its conditions for welcoming visitors,” read a statement.
“The French Tennis Federation – which is acting responsibly and in close collaboration with the French government authorities, while benefiting from the advice of a committee of multi-disciplinary experts – is adapting and will continue to adapt to the situation caused by the Covid-19 crisis.”
Explaining the measures, the statement continued: “On the three show courts, the tiered seating will follow a precise protocol: on every row, one seat will be left empty between every group of purchasers (a maximum of 4 people who wish to sit in adjacent seats).