Munich's Oktoberfest 2020 is officially cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual festival was planned to run from Saturday, September 19 until Monday, October 5, in Munich, Germany. However, organisers have announced that this year's festival will not go ahead.
“We have decided the risk is simply too great,” Minister President of Bavaria, Markus Soeder, told a group of reporters on Tuesday, April 21.
“It hurts, it is a huge shame,” he added.
Annually, the lively two-week long festivities are held held in packed tents with long wooden tables and oompah bands. Traditionally Bavarians don lederhosen and dirndls for the event.
Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, more than two million international visitors had been expected to travel to Munich for Oktoberfest. It makes more than €1 billion (Dh4b) for the city each year.
History of Oktoberfest
In the modern day, festivities are replicated in bars and gardens around the world, but Oktoberfest has very regional beginnings.
The tradition dates back to 1810, when festivities were held to celebrate the October 12 marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese.
Munich's citizens were invited to join the celebrations, which were held for five days in the fields outside of the city gates.
In 2019, the event attracted a total of 6.3 million people across more than two weeks, with the crowds gathering in the 14 large and 21 small tents.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Racecard
6.35pm: The Madjani Stakes – Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.10pm: Evidenza – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: The Longines Conquest – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,000m
8.20: The Longines Elegant – Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
8.35pm: The Dubai Creek Mile – Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Mirdif Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,400m
10.05pm: The Longines Record – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,900m
