The Return of Sports

Late summer, early autumn is when North America rises from its lawn chairs, starts to put away the BBQ, and sharpens its pencils to get back at it. In Canada, school typically starts the day after Labour Day. In the U.S., they’re engaged a bit earlier with colleges and their football programmes in full gallop before August is through. A few weeks into September, there’s a definite chill in the air presaging the Canadian frost. The boys of summer are heading into their playoffs, but they'll have to fight for our attention as hockey, basketball, and football all share the calendar in a brief Venn Diagram overlap. I’ve always enjoyed this time of year. The late night sports-of-the-day wrap-up shows have an embarrassment of riches in the form of content to report. Lots to follow, cheer, and wager on.

This year we have endured the ultimate draught for all things sport. I’ve got friends getting uncharacteristically excited about Korean baseball and German soccer starting up this week, which certainly shows a pent up thirst for action. Help is on the way. Come October the calendar should be as full as we’ve ever seen it, barring another Corona Virus setback. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen as it’s looking to be sports fan and gambler’s paradise!

Here’s a quick look at what we have to look forward to:

Horse Racing

Kentucky Derby - September 5th

Preakness Stakes - postponed from its scheduled running this Saturday, NBC suggests they will announce the new date in a look-back broadcast they’re running in place of the live action.

Belmont Stakes - TBD, but we can assume October, possibly November based on the regular timing between the Triple Crown races in a normal year.

Queen's Plate - TBD, awaiting Woodbine schedule

Golf
British Open CANCELLED

PGA Championship  August 3-9

US Open Sept 17-20

The Masters Nov 12-15

NFL Football
Pre-season starts August 6, with the Hall of Fame Game, Steelers v Cowboys Regular seasons Week One starts September 10

CFL Football

TBD

Major League Baseball
Baseball is planning a start for early July with an 82-game schedule

NBA and NHL
Lots of logistics with these two leagues as they try to bring a satisfactory and fair conclusion to the season that was interrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Unlike baseball and football that could plan ahead, these two leagues were paused and are looking at a restart in a safe environment. Both are TBD, and we can expect that when and if they start back up this season,  the starting to the 20-21 seasons will be pushed back accordingly.

Hold on everyone. We’re working our way through these tough times,but soon we’ll have August and everything after.