Storm Darragh has thrown sports events across the UK and Ireland into disarray, as gale-force winds and relentless rain force widespread cancellations. 

The Met Office has issued red and yellow weather warnings, with officials advising against non-essential outdoor activities. The severe conditions have had a domino effect, disrupting matches, racing events, and public gatherings.

In Wales, football and rugby have been severely impacted. Cardiff City’s Championship clash with Watford was called off due to the storm, alongside other local fixtures deemed unsafe to proceed. With winds gusting at over 70 mph in some areas, organisers prioritised public and player safety.

Horse racing, another major sporting casualty, saw high-profile events such as Aintree’s Boylesports Becher Chase and Chepstow’s Christmas Party race day cancelled. At Aintree, gusts were already damaging track infrastructure early on Saturday, while Chepstow abandoned their event citing the hazardous conditions and a bleak weather forecast for the rest of the day.

Liverpool‘s clash with Everton has also been called off. Aauthorities, rather than the two clubs, made the decision to delay the fixture, which will be the last Premier League Merseyside derby held at Goodison Park.

Beyond sports, the storm has significantly affected travel, with transport networks struggling to cope. Train services in parts of England and Wales have been disrupted due to debris on tracks, and flight schedules face delays as airlines contend with the challenging weather. The situation has also led to the closure of outdoor venues, further adding to the weekend’s chaos.

Mail Sport continues to track the latest postponements and cancellations as the sporting world struggles to adapt to the volatile conditions brought by Storm Darragh. Stay tuned for real-time updates, with the latest developments appearing below. 

HORSE RACING

The Chepstow Christmas Party race day and the Boylesports Becher Chase at Aintree have been canceled for Saturday due to severe weather from Storm Darragh. 

Aintree reported that strong winds have already caused damage to the track’s infrastructure, while Chepstow cited high winds and an unfavourable forecast as the reasons for abandoning their event. 

The official statement from Aintree read: ‘Unfortunately, The Boylesports Becher Chase Day has been abandoned following our morning inspection. 

‘We have continued to monitor conditions and the weather forecast throughout the night and into this morning, and we are already experiencing significant gusts of wind which are causing damage to the track infrastructure. 

‘The outlook for the day is for further significant winds, making it unsafe for racing. The safety of our participants, visitors and teams is our number one priority. 

‘General admission ticket holders will be refunded and hospitality bookers will be contacted in the coming days by a member of the team. Thank you for your understanding.’

The Chepstow Christmas Party race day and the Boylesports Becher Chase at Aintree have been canceled for Saturday due to severe weather from Storm Darragh

LIVERPOOL VS EVERTON 

Liverpool’s derby clash with Everton has officially been postponed due to safety concerns. The decision comes as a result of the mass disruption caused by Storm Darragh. 

A Liverpool statement read: ‘Liverpool FC can confirm today’s Premier League fixture against Everton at Goodison Park, scheduled for a 12.30pm kick-off, has been postponed. This is due to severe weather and high winds, which have also resulted in severe travel disruption in and around Merseyside. 

‘Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting this morning at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council, it was decided that due to the risk to safety in the local area, and the amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6am on Sunday, today’s match is postponed on safety grounds. 

‘We appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, but the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance. Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture, including ticketing, will be announced in due course.’ 

Meanwhile, Everton wrote: ‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding. Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance.

‘Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course. 

‘All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture.’

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE VS OXFORD UNITED

Plymouth’s Championship match against Oxford has been postponed following advice from the local Safety Advisory Group, which strongly recommended the decision. 

The club emphasised that the choice was made early to prevent difficult travel conditions for supporters and prioritise everyone’s safety. 

In a statement, Plymouth highlighted their commitment to ensuring the well-being of fans, staff, and players, stating they would never compromise on safety concerns. 

The statement read: ‘Having consulted with key stakeholders and the Safety Advisory Group, we have been strongly recommended by the latter to postpone tomorrow’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Oxford United, so it has therefore been postponed.

‘Severe Amber weather warnings are currently in place for various regions around the country, including the South West, with high winds of up to 70mph and heavy rain expected. 

‘Red weather warnings have also been issued in key supporter travel areas which will cause a significant risk to those coming from outside the city, including away fans.

‘This decision has been made early to avoid lengthy travel to Plymouth in difficult weather conditions and also in the best interests of supporter safety, as we would never put the safety of fans, staff or players at risk.

‘There is a real danger of flying debris and potential falling trees which could cause danger to life, with damage to buildings and homes also a real possibility. Roads, bridges and railway lines could also close, and the stadium and surrounding area may be hit by power cuts.

‘Tickets will still be valid for the new date with details for the rescheduled fixture confirmed as soon as possible. The Argyle Superstore and Ticket Office will also be closed. All ticket sales for our away trip to Coventry City will be online only this weekend.

‘If supporters are unable to attend the rearranged fixture, they will be entitled to a refund of the match ticket price, excluding booking fees.

‘Once the rearranged date for the match is confirmed, we will advise of the timescale to claim the refund. After this point the normal policy on returns will apply.

‘Supporters applying for refunds should email tickets@pafc.co.uk

‘If any tickets have been sold on the Ticket Exchange, the season ticket holder will need to buy a new ticket as the ticket has been sold, and the new owner of the ticket will retain it for the rearranged fixture.

‘Our Hospitality team will also be in contact with package holders with more information when it is available.

‘Further ticketing information will be available with details of the rearranged fixture. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you back at Home Park on Tuesday evening.’

NEWPORT VS CARLISLE 

Newport’s League Two match against Carlisle has been postponed due to safety concerns for fans. Carlisle’s squad reportedly began their journey from Cumbria early on Friday and had crossed into Wales by mid-afternoon. 

However, Newport County later confirmed the decision to call off the game, prioritizing supporter safety amid the challenging weather conditions. 

Newport’s statement read: ‘Newport County can confirm that, following advice from the Met Office, EFL, and the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), tomorrow’s game against Carlisle United has been postponed.

‘The decision comes due to the severe weather conditions forecasted for tomorrow, with an Amber warning for rain and winds extending beyond the Red warning, which is in place tomorrow.

‘These factors, combined with concerns over fan travel, the ability of emergency services to respond to potential incidents, and possible structural impacts, have led to the postponement.

‘The safety of travelling fans, staff, players, and officials is the top priority, and this is considered the best decision given the circumstances.

‘A new date for the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course. All match tickets purchased for this game will remain valid for the rearranged date. Season Tickets will also remain valid for the re-arranged fixture.

‘If you have purchased a match ticket for this fixture, please wait for the re-arranged date to be confirmed, after which point if you still require a refund.

‘Please email ticket.office@newport-county.co.uk with proof of purchase and a member of the team will contact you at the earliest opportunity. All refund requests must be submitted and processed before kick-off of the re-arranged fixture.’

CARDIFF CITY VS WATFORD 

Cardiff City’s Championship clash with Watford has been postponed due to severe weather warnings from Storm Darragh. Initially, the Football Association of Wales announced that all Saturday matches across the country were cancelled following Met Office guidance. 

Despite this, Cardiff initially planned to proceed with the game but confirmed the postponement at 4pm after receiving updated advice from the Met Office and recommendations from Cardiff Council and South Wales Police, prioritising public safety amid the worsening conditions. 

Cardiff’s statement read: ‘Due to new advice received from the Met Office, and the recommendations of Cardiff Council and South Wales Police, tomorrow’s match has now been postponed in the interest of supporter safety.

‘A new date for this fixture will be confirmed in due course. All match tickets purchased for this game will remain valid for the rearranged date. Season Tickets will also remain valid for the re-arranged fixture.

‘If you have purchased a match ticket for this fixture, please wait for the re-arranged date to be confirmed, after which point if you still require a refund, please email tickets@cardiffcityfc.co.uk with proof of purchase and a member of the team will contact you at the earliest opportunity.

‘Alternatively, please contact the Ticket Office via telephone on 033 33 11 1920. All refund requests must be submitted and processed before kick-off of the re-arranged fixture.

‘The Cardiff City Ticket Office and SuperStore will be closed on Saturday, 7th December.’

More to follow…