Devon football and rugby face weather disruption as Met Office warns of change

The Met Office has warned that increasingly extreme and unpredictable weather is reshaping sport in the UK, and sports teams across Devon could be among those feeling the impact.

In a blog post published on 25 June, the Met Office said climate change is no longer just a backdrop to sport but a defining factor in how it is played, watched and organised.

From postponed football matches and waterlogged rugby pitches to summer heat affecting players and spectators, the weather is disrupting the sporting calendar more than ever before.

Storm Darragh, which swept through the UK in December 2024, forced cancellations across Premier League football, Welsh rugby and horse racing. 

The Met Office says events like this are set to become more frequent, with projections showing the UK will face wetter winters and hotter, drier summers by the 2050s.

This is already familiar territory for many grassroots teams in Devon. 

Community football and rugby clubs across Dartmoor and the South West often face fixture disruptions due to heavy rainfall and poor pitch conditions throughout the year.

Sport England estimates that around 120,000 football matches are lost in the UK each year because of the weather, with a third of community pitches unplayable for two months annually.

The Met Office report also warns of rising temperatures at major sporting events, citing the London Marathon as one that may face increased health risks for runners and even a decline in fancy-dress participation due to the heat.

While national tournaments like Wimbledon and the Six Nations may draw headlines, it is the week-in, week-out matches that make up the sporting lifeblood of communities like ours, from junior football on Dartmoor to Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City’s loyal fanbases.

As climate variability continues, clubs at all levels may need to invest in better drainage, more flexible scheduling and improved weather monitoring to adapt.