Wednesday, September 2, 2026

U.K. Sports Leagues Postpone Matches After Queen’s Death

  • All of the nation’s soccer leagues have postponed their matches through the weekend.
  • Cricket and rugby matches will be played after postponements Friday, however.
Premier League

Sports in the U.K. have come to a halt following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Virtually every sporting association across the country has made the decision to postpone at least their Friday schedules as a sign of respect for the monarch’s passing.

All of the nation’s soccer leagues have postponed their matches through the weekend.

“Her Majesty the Queen was a longstanding Patron of The Football Association and has left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game,” the FA wrote in a statement.

The governing bodies of Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish soccer expressed similar sentiments.

Because it fell under Matchday 7 like the rest of the postponed matches, Monday’s Premier League fixture between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest was also postponed.

The Show Goes On

Not all sports will be taking the whole weekend off, however.

  • The third test of the cricket match between England and South Africa will not be played Friday, but will resume Saturday.
  • Premiership Rugby delayed the start of its season by postponing matches, but will play Saturday.

“The overwhelming opinions shared so far within the game are that teams and supporters want to come together to honour [sic] Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to be united in our grief as we express sorrow at her passing,” England’s Rugby Football Union wrote in a statement.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Premier League Clubs Spend Record $4.7B on Player Transfers

The Premier League’s transfer spending dwarfed the rest of Europe’s Big Five.

Streamer Victory+ Abruptly Collapses After Missing Payments

The free streamer had deals with NWSL, NHL, MLB, and WNBA teams.
Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.

UEFA Takes FIFA, Kushner Company to Court Over World Cup Scheme

The battle between FIFA and UEFA is heading to court.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/2/26 – Kroenke Buys Angels, LSU-SEC Court Showdown, Cubs’ TikTok Rom-Com

0:00

Featured Today

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
Jul 30, 2022; Irvine, CA, USA; A general view of the official NFL balls on the field during Los Angeles Rams training camp at University of California Irvine.

Saudi Arabia Wants to Bring American Football to the Middle East

The Middle Eastern nation wants to host major football events.
Noah Lyles (USA) wins the men’s 100m final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, Monday, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
September 22, 2025

Summer Olympics Face a Climate-Induced Heat Check

The World Athletics president says the status quo is not sustainable.
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; British and United States flags on the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
September 29, 2025

From Dublin to London: Vikings on NFL’s First Multi-Country Road Trip

The Jaguars have previously played consecutive games in the U.K.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
January 13, 2025

Newsom Adamant About L.A. Hosting 2028 Olympics

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.