Coronavirus: How (and when) global pandemic shut down world sport

As the coronavirus pandemic grips the world, the shutdown of sport has left armchair fans across the planet with nothing to watch, nothing to bond over and nothing to debate around the dinner table.

Competitions and events began shutting down just a few weeks after COVID-19 reared its head, when China revealed there was a legitimate outbreak and serious cause for concern.

That triggered a chain reaction that's taken us to a life almost completely devoid of anything resembling sport - and you get the sense there's worse to come.

Here's how it all played out.

January 22 

The International Olympic Committee cancel boxing qualifiers set to take place in Wuhan, China.

Kiwi boxer David Nyika.
Kiwi boxer David Nyika. Photo credit: Image: Photosport

Women's football qualifiers in the same city are also postponed. 

January 29

The world indoor athletics championships, scheduled for Nanjing, China, is postponed until 2021. 

January 30 

Chinese Football Association postpones all domestic level games in China. 

February 12

The Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai, scheduled for April 19, is postponed. 

February 13 

The Singapore and Hong Kong Sevens are rescheduled until the end of the world series calendar.   

March 3

Indian Wells - the fifth 'Grand Slam' - becomes the first ATP/WTA event cancelled. 

March 12

Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert tests positive for COVID-19 and as a result, the NBA is immediately postponed until at least mid-May.

Rudy Gobert.
Rudy Gobert. Photo credit: Image: Reuters

All Whites fixtures against Oman and Bahrain are cancelled. 

March 13

The PGA's Players Championship is cancelled one round into the tournament and the US Masters is postponed. 

The English Premier League is postponed, along with all other domestic football in England. 

March 14

SANZAAR announces it will suspend Super Rugby at the end of round nine, but ultimately, the Highlanders and Jaguares call off their scheduled match in Buenos Aires and share points.

March 17

The 2020 European Football Championship is postponed until 2021. 

March 18

Three Australasia Supercars events postponed, including Hampton Downs leg in New Zealand. 

March 20

World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua's title defence against Kubrat Pulev is postponed. 

Anthony Joshua.
Anthony Joshua. Photo credit: Image: Getty

March 23

After playing behind closed doors and trying to keep the competition running as long as possible, the NRL was finally suspended and NZ Warriors return home. 

March 24

Football Federation Australia decides to shut down the A-League with just a few rounds left in the regular season and Wellington Phoenix, sitting third on the ladder, have to fly home. 

Coach Ufuk Talay and two Phoenix players.
Coach Ufuk Talay and two Phoenix players. Photo credit: Image: Getty

Facing pressure from athletes and national federations, the IOC decides to postpone the Olympics, scheduled for July/August 2020, for same time next year. 

March 27

ANZ Premiership netball is suspended indefinitely and second-tier Beko league cancelled.

Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie.
Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie. Photo credit: Image: Getty

The dominos have certainly fallen regularly since the first cancellations in January, but one thing is certain - the Tokyo Olympics have been the biggest casualty, but certainly not the last.

A few dominoes still teeter on the edge, with the fate of some events unknown... 

June 27 

Tour de France cycling is set to begin at the end of June, possibly without roadside fans - good luck with that.

June 29

At this stage, the Wimbledon Grand Slam tennis is still happening, but a decision is due this week.

August 15

The All Blacks are due to kick off their Rugby Championship against Australia. 

September 26

Ryder Cup golf is currently all go.