Isle of Wight and Download cancel 2020 festivals due to coronavirus

Called off: Download festival was set to take place this June
PA Archive/PA Images
Jochan Embley26 March 2020

Isle of Wight and Download have become the latest UK festivals the fall victim to the spread of coronavirus.

The two festivals have both been forced to cancel their 2020 editions, citing the impossibility of organising an event as the nation goes into lockdown.

Isle of Wight was set to be headlined by Lionel Richie, Snow Patrol and Duran Duran, while Download had locked in Kiss, Iron Maiden, System of a Down and more.

However, both events — which were set to take place in June — have announced they won’t run until 2021.

In a statement, Isle of Wight said: “This decision has not been taken lightly and we have tried our hardest to make it work, but it was unavoidable given the current status.”

Download said: “We've been closely monitoring this unprecedented situation and it’s become clear that it just isn’t possible for the 2020 festival to go ahead.”

London during Coronavirus lockdown - In pictures

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Both festivals confirmed that refunds would be offered to any ticket-holders, who can also choose to hold onto their tickets and attend the 2021 edition instead.

The news follows the postponement of Glastonbury, which was forced to pull the plug on its 50th anniversary edition in the face of the Covid-19 outbreak.

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