Cyclone Alfred has had a significant impact on the sports calendar, resulting in the cancellation of this weekend’s WPGA Championship on the Gold Coast. As adverse weather conditions are predicted to affect south-east Queensland, sporting officials opted for caution after extensive discussions with relevant stakeholders.
Both the WPGA Championship and the Gold Coast Festival of Golf, initially set to commence on Thursday, have been officially cancelled, with a statement released on Tuesday confirming that no matches would take place this week. The tournaments are expected to return next year.
The announcement highlighted the severity of the situation, stating: “Following extensive consultation with all stakeholders, the 2025 Australian WPGA Championship and Gold Coast Festival of Golf have been cancelled due to the impending impact of Cyclone Alfred.” Officials monitored weather forecasts closely and engaged with the Queensland Government, Gold Coast City Council, Mulpha Group, Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, and the Ladies European Tour before reaching this unprecedented decision.
The statement emphasised the importance of safety for players, staff, fans, and other stakeholders in light of the anticipated heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding. While the cancellation is disappointing for players and fans alike, the focus now shifts to 2026, with plans already in development for a successful Australian WPGA Championship and Gold Coast Festival of Golf.
Meanwhile, other sporting events are proceeding as planned, including the AFL match between Brisbane and Geelong, and the NRL game featuring the Dolphins versus the Rabbitohs, which have not yet been cancelled.